Otello

Gaulitana: A Festival of Music marks its 20^th edition with Verdi’s Otello, the apotheosis in Italian opera tragedy.

Based on William Shakespeare’s plot, the composer only acceded to Boito’s libretto after ten years of persuasion efforts by his publisher Ricordi to lure him out of retirement. The completed masterpiece embodies unparalleled emotional prowess framed within a seamless musical-dramatic experience.

The full-scale production, originally scheduled for 2020 and cancelled due to the pandemic, follows on a “Nabucco to remember” (2025) and an “appassionata e appassionante” Il Trovatore (2026). An renowned international cast joins the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Colin Attard with stage direction by Enrico Castiglione.

Otello, returning to the Maltese scene after a 14-year absence, shall be held on Saturday 24 April at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora at 19:30, as part of the OPERA+ Weekend, a 3-day cultural bonanza of quality events highlighting the festival presenting a multifarious programme of events around Gozo.