The first official presentation of Rigoletto contributed to a successful start to this year’s edition of the BOV Opera Festival 2006.

Miriam Gauci, artistic director of the production said she was ecstatic and the Festival could not have started on a better note.

“My satisfaction stems from the fact that the public attending the performance, reacted extremely positively not only to the performance of the talented singers and orchestra but also to the whole production, both from an organizational as well as from a conceptual perspective. The dynamic collaboration between singers, orchestra, choir and backstage proceeded seamlessly throughout the whole performance,” said Ms Gauci.

She added that the success owed itself to a synergy of ideas.

“The audience seems to have appreciated the new format of the stage at an inclined level, the colour schemes of the costumes and most of all the lighting techniques adopted throughout which delivered a unique feel of intimacy between the set, the performers and the audience.

“Another factor that contributed to this success was the fact that no time and resources were wasted on experimentation. The overall concept we wanted to deliver through this production had been established from the very start and was kept consistently throughout all the preparation stages. Ultimately, attention to detail and a passionate commitment from all those involved prevailed.”

The second performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto was staged last night.

Rigoletto featured the Orkestra Nazzjonali, soprano Gillian Zammit, mezzo soprano Claire Massa, tenor Juan Gambina and bass Noel Galea among others.

Musical Direction was in the hands of Mro Michael Laus, the choir was led by Mro Chris Muscat and dancing choreography featured dancers from Tanya Bayona School.