One of the best-loved musicals – The Sound of Music – with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, is being staged in November by the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre of Victoria.
This musical is being produced jointly by the Don Bosco Oratory and Chorus Urbanus Productions.
The musical is based on the true story about an Austrian family at the outbreak of World War II, as written by Maria Augusta Trapp and published in the book `The Trapp Family Singers.’
The musical The Sound of Music had an immediate success as soon as it was premiered in Broadway sixty years ago and later on, its cinematographic version (in 1965) enchanted the hearts of all those who flocked to see it in cinemas world-wide.
It tells the story of Maria, a young novice in a convent at Salzburg, Austria, who in 1938 is sent as a governess in the house of a retired and widowed Austrian naval officer, with the aim of taking care of his seven children.
After bringing love and music in to the family’s life, Maria marries this same official Von Trapp and together with their family, finds a way-out from the grips of the Nazi regime installed in their homeland.
The stage musical production of The Sound of Music has been and is still, being played in some of the best theatres in the UK and around the world.
The Oratory said that, this year, thanks to the license and relevant permits from R & H Theatricals of London, as well as with the financial support of the Cultural Events Fund of the Ministry for Gozo, the musical will be staged live in English on the stage of the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre in Gozo.
The Sound of Music is a 2.5 hour production of good music, catchy songs and witty moments. Its best loved popular songs include `My Favourite Things,’ `The Lonely Goatherd.’ `So Long, Farewell,’ `Climb Every Mountain,’ ‘Edelwiess’ and of course, `Do-Re-Mi,’ together with lots of other lovely evergreen songs.
The best of Gozitan talent will be show-cased in this musical together with a special guest artist from Malta, Dorothy Bezzina, who will be playing the role of Maria.
Other main parts will be played by Noel Galea, Yvonne Galea, Mario Portelli, Ruth Portelli, Maria Cassar and Hilda Grima, together with a 70-strong cast, including musicians, singers and members of the Chorus Urbanus.
Mro. Mark Gauci will be conducting the singers and the orchestra under the musical direction of Dr. John Galea. Saviour Cremona is the artistic director of the show, whilst the choreography of the musical is in the hands of Frances Zammit.
The Oratory said that the stage-set, once again, has been left under the supervision of artist Dennis Mompalao helped with volunteers from the Don Bosco Oratory.
The opening night of The Sound of Music will be on Saturday, the 9th of November at 7.30pm, with a repeat performance on Sunday, the 10th of November at 2.30pm (matinee show).
There will also be two other performances, one on Friday, the 15th at November at 7.30pm, and a last performance on Sunday, the 17th, at 5.30pm.
“This musical will surely be one of the best musical productions ever to be staged at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre,” it said.
Booking is now open. Tickets for The Sound of Music, can be obtained from the Don Bosco Oratory of Gozo every day between 5.00pm and 7.00pm, or else by phoning on 21556616 or 99487751.
Online booking is also available through the website by clicking here. [1]