Teatru Astra, together with the support of BOV announced the launch of the 13th edition of Festival Mediterranea, with a series of concerts and events to be held between the 23rd of October and the 24th of November 2014.
Festival Mediterranea is a unique endeavour and the only festival of its kind on the Maltese islands. It brings together the production of an Italian opera and traditional fare.
This year’s festival was officially launched during a press conference which was addressed by Dr Edward Zammit Lewis, Minister for Tourism, John Cassar White, Chairman BOV, Michael Formosa, Chairman Festival Mediterranea and Prof. Mro Joseph Vella, the festival’s music director.
Minister for Tourism Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis in his address welcomed the 13th edition of Festival Mediterranea, “This is an annual celebration of culture, music and art, let off in the very heart of the Mediterranean on the island of Gozo.”
The Minister emphasised that such activities, being held in the months of October and November assist in boosting tourism and the overall economy in the island of Gozo during the shoulder months.
The Minister concluded by commending “that the work of Teatru Astra and its volunteers is in line with the Government’s objective of attracting more quality tourists to our islands.”
John Cassar White, Chairman BOV, spoke about the importance of programmes that are so culturally-enriching.
“This year’s edition of Festival Mediterranea marks its 13th anniversary and it is with pride that we can state that Bank of Valletta supported this initiative since its inception. The Festival has been crucial in strengthening the cultural calendar of the Maltese islands and we have seen it growing gradually year on year.
“The cultural pillar of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme gives an added boost to the local economy as the month long festival creates activity when the touristic season in Gozo is at its lowest. We are pleased to form part of this success story,” said Mr Cassar White.
Michael Formosa, Festival Chairman noted that the interest triggered by the festival and the opera in local and international artistic circles is placing Teatru Astra on the footing of the major theatres in European cities.
He expressed his gratitude for the work of a large number of volunteers involved in the artistic, technical and administrative work of the festival, and specifically, the opera.
He concluded by stating that “Teatru Astra, whilst being very grateful for the vital corporate support and state funding, still considers that the voluntary element, despite its inherent challenges, underpins the large-scale endeavours that the La Stella Philharmonic Society animates.”
Prof. Joseph Vella highlighted that Nabucco is a goldmine of bel canto solo singing together with a choral feast. He explained that this is a majestic opera that promises to be one of the highlights in the well established tradition of excellence at Teatru Astra.
“A fantastic cast of solo singers and formidable choral support, all in the ambit of outstanding sets and scenery which promise a truly operatic night to remember.”
As in previous years, this year’s pride of place goes to the production of Verdi’s much-loved opera, Nabucco, with the participation of baritone Piero Terranova in the title role, together with soprano Silvia dalla Benetta (Abigaille), world-famous bass Carlo Colombara in the role of Zaccaria and Maltese tenor, Cliff Zammit Stevens, who will debut on the islands with a lead role in opera, singing Ismaele.
Maltese baritone Louis Andrew Cassar will sing the role of the Gran Sacerdote while Gozitan soprano Dorienne Portelli is in the role of Anna.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the direction of the Festival’s and Teatru Astra’s Artistic Director, Joseph Vella.
The opera will be performed twice, namely, on Thursday, the 23rd and Saturday, the 25th of October at 7.30pm.
Other musical events in the festival will feature two of Gozo’s foremost performers, Mario Galea (clarinet) and George Camilleri (euphonium).
Both are members of the La Stella Band. They will give a recital on Friday, the 24th of October at the Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort and Spa at 7.30pm. Then on Sunday, the 2nd of November, the La Stella Brass Ensemble, together with soloists will give a concert of classical and semi-classical music at the Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia at 8.00pm.
On Sunday, the 9th of November, leading Maltese organist Dr Hugo Agius Muscat will give an organ recital on the 18th century organ at St George’s Basilica. This concert will start at 8.00pm. The annual grand concert given by the La Stella Philharmonic Band, under the direction of Prof. Joseph Vella, will take place on Saturday, the 15th of November at Teatru Astra, at 7.30pm.
Apart from the musical bonanza that this festival offers, there are other cultural events of note. Dr Paul George Pisani leading a guided tour of the state-of-the-art Il-Hagar Museum together with a site visit to St George’s Basilica on Friday, the 24th of October at noon, while doctoral candidate and one of the island’s leading authorities on art and artistic treasures, Mark Sagona, will deliver an illustrated talk The Lure of Rome: On the Trail of Italian Art in Gozo 1850 – 1950 on Saturday, the 8th of November.
On Saturday, the 1st of November at 10am, Prof. Victor Mallia Milanes will give a lecture at Il-Hagar Museum entitled The Order of the Hospital in 1630. Leading opera critic and scholar Dr Abraham Borg will deliver a highly-relevant talk on Nabucco – A Break from Traditional Melodrama at the Victoria Local Council Hall on Saturday, the 25th of October at 10am.
John Patrick Shanley’s famous play, Doubt [1], will be under the direction of Mario Tabone. It will be staged at Teatru Astra, starting at 7.00pm.
Four exhibitions will also be on display throughout the festival period: Gozo in Philatelic Art, a prestigious exhibition of artwork for Malta stamps set up by MaltaPost in collaboration with Festival Mediterranea; A Broken Life, an exhibition of paintings, etchings and engravings by Hermine Anna Sammut; an exhibition of memorabilia in connection with the First World War in collaboration with the British Residents Association.
These three exhibitions will be mounted at Il-Hagar Museum. Richard England, an exhibition of paintings by Prof. Richard England, will be displayed at Art … e Gallery.
Reservations and bookings can be made through the festival helpdesk on 21550985, 79256897 or email bookings@mediterranea.com [2].
The festival website www.mediterranea.com.mtl [3] will carry all the latest updates on the opera and festival.