Manon Lescaut is the operatic production for this year's Gaulitana: A Festival of music. Puccini's masterpiece, presented following an absence of over 20 years from the local stage, promises to be a spectacular night for opera buffs.

Miriam Gauci - Malta's "donna non vidi mai" - features in the title-role, following on her "triumphant and touching" Madama Butterfly in 2017. Des Grieux shall be interpreted by acclaimed Puccini singer Enrique Ferrer - renowned for his dramatic power, personality and musicality. The tenor boasts an impressive career performing in prestigious opera houses including La Fenice, Arena di Verona, Torre del Lago and Carnegie Hall.

Lucio Gallo returns to Malta to perform Lescaut following his "first-rate" and "unforgettable Scarpia" for Tosca at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora last October whereas Geronte shall be sung by Luciano Leoni. The cast shall be complemented by Didier Pieri (Edmondo, dance master, lamplighter), Joseph Lia (innkeeper, naval captain), Ken Scicluna (sergeant) and Clare Ghigo (singer).

The production will be directed by Enrico Castiglione and seeks to portray a contemporary approach to Prevost's classic where life and love are a game during which winners and losers abound. As such, the director's set designs take cue from the card-playing scenes in the opera's plot.

The surtitled production will be conducted by Colin Attard, featuring the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Gaulitana is supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Programme of Arts Council Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and partnered by APS Bank.

'Manon Lescaut', part of the Opera+ Weekend, will be held on 6 April. Booking is open, directly online on www.teatruaurora.com or via ticket helpline 7904 5779.