Gaulitana celebrates Verdi
The 2026 edition of Gaulitana pays homage to Giuseppe Verdi as commemorations around the world tribute the 125th death anniversary of Italian opera master. Aptly, the festival joins the celebratory chorus with Il Trovatore, one of his artistic masterpieces, commencing his “victorious march throughout the operatic world”.
Inspired by Antonio García Gutiérrez’s 1836 Spanish play and stretching the dramatic possibilities of the plot to its extreme, the over-arching themes of love, revenge and mistaken identity connect the musical feast of melodies and vocal fireworks. Marking a pinnacle in Verdi’s creativity, the oeuvre was composed along with Rigoletto and La Traviata over a 3-year period. The works completing this “trilogia popolare” were presented by Gaulitana in 2015 & 2023 respectively.
Received to positive acclaim, festival productions most recently for “a Nabucco to remember”, have become the pinnacle of the annual springtime festival, highlighting the OPERA+ Weekend, 3 days of cultural bonanza bringing the festival to an end.
In parallel, during the pandemic-forced performances hiatus, the virtual opera series Viva Verdi garnered over 210,000 views online.
A star-studded cast features for this 10th opera in the annals of Gaulitana. Marco Berti (Manrico), boasting a stellar career in major opera houses around the world is rivalled by Mario Cassi (Conte di Luna), a regular fixture in prestigious theatres around the world, interpreting a role “most dear” to him. Francesca Dotto (Leonora), reprises the role interpreted at La Fenice as Verdian specialist Silvia Beltrami (Azucena) mesmerizes in the character performed in Venice and Rome.
As Gaulitana remains at the forefront in promoting Maltese artists, the line-up includes young tenor Giosuè Agius singing Ruiz as Clare Ghigo returns to Gaulitana as Ines after her appearance in Manon Lescaut. They are complemented by Deyan Vatchkov, leading the troops as Ferrando.
Il Trovatore shall be held on Saturday 25 April at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora with the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Colin Attard with stage direction by Enrico Castiglione.
An exclusive Shuttle Service for opera patrons will run following the 18:15hrs ferry with return after the opera (pre-booking is required).
Gaulitana: A Festival of Music is organised by the Gaulitanus Choir, is principally supported by the Investment in Cultural Organisations – Gozo of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, partnered by the Bank of Valletta Foundation, VisitMalta and APS Bank.
Gaulitana 2026 runs from March 28 to April 26, presenting a multifarious programme of events around Gozo. Festival events are free of charge and no reservations are required.
Il Trovatore Bookings: www.teatruaurora.com / 7904 5779
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