Vodafone Malta Foundation is supporting this year’s opera Macbeth which is being performed at the Astra Theatre as part of the sixth edition of the Mediterranea Festival organised by Gozo’s Societa Filarmonica La Stella.

The Astra Theatre has announced the participation of world famous tenor Joseph Calleja for the production. Instead of one performance, as had originally been planned for Saturday 27 October, another performance will be held on Thursday 25 October.

Verdi’s Macbeth is the highlight of this year’s edition to be staged with the participation of the National Orchestra, conducted by Joseph Vella.

“One of the Vodafone Malta Foundation’s core values is the enrichment of culture and the much awaited opera at the Festival Mediterranea deserves all our support. This support shows the foundation’s continuous involvement in the Gozitan community,” said Mrs Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation.

This performance of Macbeth is also marking the 10th anniversary of its first performance in May 1997 at the Astra Theatre and is a very important date in Astra’s history. When the theatre’s musical director, Mro Joseph Vella, was encouraged by tenor Paul Asciak to listen to a “very enthusiastic”, though virtually unknown, young student tenor of his, Mro Vella, listening to this teenager’s warm, limpid voice, immediately cast this handsome young man in the role of Macduff in the forthcoming production of the opera.

That young man was none other than Joseph Calleja, who has since become a household name, becoming, among other things, the only Maltese opera singer ever to have an exclusive contract with a major recording label, Decca.

The title role will be sung by Italian baritone Marco Chingari, who will be remembered for his riveting performances in past productions. Astra has also secured the services of Francesa Patane’ to sing the difficult, demanding role of Lady Macbeth. Ms Patane’, daughter of the conductor Giuseppe Patane’, has lately scored a success at Rome’s Teatro Dell’Opera singing the formidable title role in a highly controversial, avant-garde production of Richard Strauss’ Salome’. Franco De Grandis, who has earned widespread recognition as one of today’s most talented bass-baritones, will interpret the part of Banquo, said Dr Joseph Grech, president of the the Societa Filarmonica La Stella.

The Mediterranea Festival aims at presenting a showcase of the artistic heritage and the present cultural milieu that this tiny island in the center of the Mediterranean enjoys. Through Mediterranea the Astra Theatre brings together Gozo’s own jewels, with music, history, archaeology, crafts, traditions, art and, equally important, inherent hospitality taking center stage.

For booking of tickets, one is asked to call on 2155-0985. Further information and the full programme of events may be obtained by visiting the festival website on www.mediterranea.com.mt