Bank of Valletta is sponsoring the 7th edition of the Festival Mediterranea at the Teatru Astra in Gozo, which is celebrating the 150th anniversary from the birth of the famed composer Giacomo Puccini. The festival has become an important annual event promoting Gozo as an island at the centre of Mediterranean civilization, heritage and art.

The highlight of the festival is Puccini’s masterpiece ‘Turandot’ which is being performed by Italian soprano Francesca Patane, tenor Antonino Intersano, bass Franco de Grandis as well as local soprano Miriam Cauchi.

BOV sponsorship of the Festival Mediterranea was presented by Jack Thewma, Manager, Gozo Branch at Bank of Valletta to Teatru Astra President Dr Joseph Grech.

Turandot will be performed on Thursday the 23rd and Saturday the 25th of October 2008, in front of an audience that is accustomed to the high quality of local opera events. The National Philharmonic Orchestra will be delighting the crowd under the direction of Mro. Joseph Vella.

Bank of Valletta has a long history of supporting operatic events that are held locally. Last year’s performance of Verdi’s Macbeth was an unprecedented success and the interest for this year’s event is proof enough of the growing appreciation the high standard local opera has achieved.

For this event, Teatru Astra is offering a 10% discount on the ticket price to customers who pay with a BOV Cashlink Card.

Festival Mediterranea 2008 is featuring a month long series of events besides Turandot, such as ballet and modern dance performances, band and jazz music, seminars and art exhibitions culminating in the live concert of the well-known Italian singer Amadeo Minghi.

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