Gaulitana: A Festival of Music commences on Saturday 23rd March, inviting aficionados to immerse themselves in a timeless musical experience. Defined as “a major festival of classical music” (Musical Opinion UK), the annual springtime endeavour presents a multifarious programme of events running over 5 weeks in various localities around the island.
The highlight of the 2024 edition is Puccini’s best-loved opera La Bohème, on 20 April directed by Enrico Castiglione under the baton of Colin Attard. The full-scale production held as part of the OPERA+ Weekend joins celebrations around the world marking the musical legacy of the Italian master on the 100th anniversary of his death. Following on last year’s La Traviata boasting a “top-notch cast” greeted by an “enthusiastic audience” (OperaClick), the cast stars Federica Vitali, returning to Gozo after her mesmerising Madame Butterfly last October. She is flanked by tenor David Junghoon Kim, “a fount of lyricism”, and the “golden-toned” Ukrainian-British baritone Yuriy Yurchuk who interpreted the roles of Rodolfo and Marcello respectively at the Royal Opera House in London.
Tapping its mission to create a platform seeking to enrich Gozo’s cultural output in the leaner months of the year, Gaulitana offers an eclectic mix of musical styles. The exiting array of international and local artists feature eminent guitarist Giorgio Albiani making a welcome return to the festival in a duo with RAI & Radio France recorded artist Alberto Rullo, the acclaimed ForteTrio ensemble and virtuoso Chinese Pipa player Mei Guo. The evening and lunchtime recitals include works by Maltese composers Pawlu Grech, Alex Vella Gregory, Karl Fiorini, Stephen Attard and Colin Attard, whereas an Easter vocal double-bill presents the premiere in Gozo of Romanian chants from the Orthodox liturgy.
Festival Artist-in-Residence Alexander Frey returns, collaborating with local musicians Fiorella Camilleri (flute) and George Camilleri (euphonium) as well as delivering a lecture-recital on Stephen Sondheim in a piano-bar setting.
In an opening concert mirroring the musical experiences programmed for the festival, soprano Gillian Zammit, violist Pierre Louis Attard, the Gaulitanus Choir and String Orchestra usher audiences into Holy Week. The instrumental ensemble eventually brings the month-long cultural bonanza to a fitting conclusion together with Bulgarian cellist Liliana Keyahova.
In parallel, the educational programme GAULearn aspires to kindle creativity as the festival broadens its multi-dimensionality with an exhibition celebrating Puccini, held in collaboration with the Fondazione Giacomo Puccini (Lucca) and a presentation showcasing the journey of Gaulitana in the operatic field along the years.
Gaulitana: A Festival of Music, organised by the Gaulitanus Choir, is principally supported by the Investment in Cultural Organisations – Gozo of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo & Planning.
Gaulitana runs from 23 March to 21 April. Festival events are free of charge and no reservations are required. Booking for La Bohème is available on www.teatruaurora.com or via the ticket helpline 7904 5779.
More information:
Email:
Phone:
