Come March, opera lovers will see the 9th edition of the BOV Opera Festival in full swing at the Manoel Theatre. This has now become an annual appointment that promises some of the most prestigious singers and performers. This year, once again the festival holds in store a handful of the most exuberant and heart-rending operatic music scores ever composed.
What better to ignite the proceedings than Rossini with his Cenerentola? Rossini’s take on Cinderella, this much-loved children’s fairytale, promises to be a highlight performance especially since it is being performed by Italy’s own ‘Teatro Borgatti di Cento’ from Ferrara. The Italian performers will be accompanied by the Orkestra Nazzjonali conducted by Mro Michael Laus.
Composed when Rossini was barely 25, the opera’s creation followed hot on the heels of the success of The Barber of Seville and was composed and packaged in barely three weeks. Vibrant music, a lively composition and some colour and finery are surely in store. Incidentally, this second collaboration between Italy and Malta’s highest musical enclaves owes its origin to last year’s resounding success in the performance of Verdi’s Falstaff.
It won’t be all Italian flavour however as the British ensemble with the unlikely name of ‘I Fagiolini’, will resort to the performance of a selection of some of Monteverdi’s most pronounced arias. These musical performances will be staged at the Museum of Archaeology in Valletta. Appreciated for their take on Renaissance and contemporary music, ‘I Fagiolioni’ promise a journey through Monteverdi’s opera arias, secular chorales and string compositions. Winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society Ensemble Award 2006, ‘I Fagiolini’ are being invited to Malta in collaboration with The British Council.
Next on the programme of this year’s Opera Festival are Puccini’s Gianni Schicci and Rota’s Notte di un Nevrastenico. These two short one-act operas are being presented through another successful collaboration, which this time is seeing Teatru Manoel joining forces with Italy’s ‘Opera Laboratorio’. Incidentally Gianni Schicci will be a fitting opportunity to celebrate the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Puccini himself. The opera runs its course through a direct reference to Dante’s own Divina Commedia, and is highlighted by its vibrant soprano aria O Babbino Caro.
Rota’s A Night in the Life of a Neurotic alias Notte di un Nevrastenico, promises some funny moments. Favoured for its comic drama, this one act opera is hailed for its simplicity, one of the hallmarks of Rota’s works.
And so whether you fall for Don Magnifico, become excited about the fate of Rinuccio or sympathise with Rota’s ‘commendadore’, this year’s BOV Opera Festival promises a whale of a time. Keep those dates free.
Performances are on March 5, 7, 9, 10, 12. For further information and bookings, contact The Manoel Theatre on Tel: 21246389; Email: [email protected]