Puccini’s Tosca, which was performed on Saturday, and the highlight of Gaulitana: A Festival Of Music 2014,’ was described as a “resounding success,” by the Gaulitanus Choir. “We would like to thank all opera buffs who honoured us with their presence. This event has been described as a ‘breakthrough’ not only for our festival but also for the Maltese culture in general.”
The opera was performed in collaboration with the Taormina Festival and was staged at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora
“Norma Fantini led the star-studded cast with a magnificent rendition of the title-role, worthy of her reputation as one of the leading artists of this opera. She was complemented by Piero Giuliacci who ably performed the intense love, passion and pain of Cavaradossi.
“A more than positive surprise was Francesco Landolfi, whose rendition of Scarpia was received with great acclaim at the end of the opera. Gianluca Di Mare, Andrea Schifaudo, Gianluca Lentini, Louis Andrew Cassar and Annabelle Zammit provided very creditable performances of their minor, yet intrinsic, roles,” the organisers said.
Colin Attard, Gaulitana’s artistic director, led the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gaulitanus Choir, helping make this production of regista Enrico Castiglione a night to remember. The costumes for this production were designed by Sonia Cammarata.
“Special thanks goes to all our choir members and helpers together with the sponsor of this festival for their continuous support which made our dream come true,” the Gaulitanus concluded.