After a busy and dense production period for the opera, the Teatru tal-Opra in Victoria, Gozo, is gearing up for series of three major events in a space of 4 weeks, the first being the annual band concert by the Leone Band.

Closely linked to the historic event of the proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption of Our Lady, proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in Rome, on November 1st 1950, the annual band concert is always held close to this date. “Being an exclusive organiser of the external festivities of the Assumption of Our Lady – Santa Marija – the Leone Band held this historic event close at heart, and has ever since commemorated the anniversary with its annual concert,” the theatre said.

However, in addition to the dogma anniversary, the Leone Band said that it “always sought to augment the artistic value of the event by raising the standards of the chosen repertoire and the performance. The annual band concert is the ultimate show of class and quality for a band. Thus, as is expected, the band attempts some of the most elaborate, demanding and spectacular titles and while retaining the popular appeal, it builds on its musical reputation. With the recent development of the pop-concert, when the Leone Band itself launched the Leone Goes Pop series, the annual band concert returned its focus on the popular classics, ranging from opera to ballets, with a particular accent on 20th century music – a genre whose appeal is largely mounting among local and foreign audiences.”

Colin Attard will lead the Leone Band through some popular numbers which include a selection from Puccini’s Tosca, that was held at the Aurora Theatre only a fortnight ago and an overture from Bellini’s Norma. The programme will also include excerpts from Spartacus, the ballet by Aram Khachaturian and Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 6, which will be conducted by assistant bandmaster Joseph Debrincat. Joseph Gauci will perform as a soloist on euphonium in the Serenade from Drigo’s Les Millions D’Arlequin. Also included in the line-up is the colourful Alvamar Overture by the American contemporary composer James Barnes.

The Leone Band in concert used to be held in the open air in Independence Square until the seventies when it was transferred to the then-newly built Aurora Opera House, where it is being held this year, this Saturday, the 5th of Novemver at 8pm. Entrance is free of charge with seating on a first-come-first-served basis.

In the meantime, for sales and reservations purposes, the Leone Band would like to remind everyone that the concert will be followed by another musical night at the Aurora, The Grand Operatic Concert. A production of Classique Foundation, with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Joseph Debrincat, together with soprano Maria Pia Piscitelli and tenor Francesco Anile. The line-up, which remains undisclosed until the night of the event itself, shall include some of the immortal operatic arias from the popular repertoire. Tickets at €10 and €15 are being sold from the Aurora Box Office (2155 9452 or info@leone.org.mt).

A third event for November at the Aurora, on a contrasting note is the satirical show Bla Kondixin. Tickets for this event are also on sale from the Aurora Box Office.

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