Mro Joseph Vella will be giving a short course entitled “Understanding Opera” on Wednesday 17 January, as part of the Din l-Art Helwa series of short cultural courses. This course will provide an overview of the roots, birth and development of opera, from Monteverdi to baroque opera, pre-classical opera and romantic opera, the operas of Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Puccini and Wagner, as well as the 20th century operas of Stravinsky, Britten and Strauss. Maestro Vella will also focus on the triumph of the singer (castrati), the libretto, arias, opera buffa, singspiel, Verismo opera in Italy, the role of the orchestra, and bel canto.

As a composer Mro. Joseph Vella has built an international reputation. He has composed for a wide variety of combinations, from solo pieces to large scale works. For the last 30 years he has been the Artistic Director of the Astra Opera Theatre, and he was appointed the first resident conductor of the National Orchestra. Mro Vella’s pioneering work in the late 1970s in the research and performance of old Maltese music, especially music held in the Mdina Archives, has led to a veritable upsurge of interest and appreciation of this aspect of our cultural heritage. Joseph Vella is Professor of Composition at the University of Malta.

The course will take place at Din l-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta, on Wednesday 17 January from 9am to 12.15pm. No prior knowledge is required and everyone is welcome to attend. The fee for the course is Lm5 for Din l-Art Helwa members, and Lm8 for non-members, including a coffee break. Places are limited to 25 persons. To register please contact Din l-Art Helwa on 21225952 or info@dinlart

helwa.org.