The production of the international TV documentary ‘The miracle of Gozo’ has begun in Victoria.

The production company ‘Sounding Images’ is shooting an hour long film about the two opera houses of Gozo, Astra and Aurora, for broadcasters in Germany, France, Scandinavia and the UK. Director Claus Wischmann is pleased with the first shoots of the Feast of St. George in July, and the Feast of Santa Marija in August in Victoria.Furthermore, the camera team has visited both opera houses with the star tenor Joseph Calleja and filmed a unique interview in his home in Mellieha. The celebrated singer began his career at 19 in the Astra Opera House..

Director Claus Wischmann said that, “what is happening here in Victoria is highly unusual. In other countries and cities one discusses the need for opera, but here in Gozo they go the whole hog. The quality of the production, despite the small budget, is breath-taking, even though everyone has another day job and only does it as a voluntary activity.”

“Gozo has 30,000 inhabitants and two opera houses. This means it has more opera per square kilometre than any other place in the world. The organisation, the staging, and part of the singing are all done by volunteers. There are two conductors, two choruses, two teams of stage workers and organisers.”

The film begins with the colourful and exuberant festas in the summer and accompanies its protagonists from the challenging preparations and rehearsals to the performances in October.

It is a film about no-holds-barred commitment, a passionate love of music and how dedication and a healthy rivalry can bring forth genuine art.

Permalink: Production underway of international TV documentary ‘The miracle of Gozo’