Bringing Verdi's final act, for the first time, in Gozo

Verdi’s bicentennial birthday is fast approaching, this October, and the Aurora Opera House is busily gearing towards bringing his last opera, composed in his ninth decade, for a first time, in Gozo. Verdi’s third attempt at a Shakespearean plot, Falstaff is his first and only comic opera, so patrons are in for a hearty laugh at the Aurora this year. As the saying goes, laughter is (always!) the best medicine.

Online booking now in place

And as an added bonus, in addition to other major infrastructural works which is being undertaken at the Aurora, this Gozitan theatre has just revamped its online website, with an online ticket-purchasing system. Therefore, opera lovers may log onto the now tri-lingualwww.teatruaurora.com, search for Falstaff, and buy their preferred over the Internet via a high-security payment gateway. Patrons will then be asked to print their own tickets. However, those who have already secured their seats and are in possession of their tickets need not reconfirm or reprint their tickets as the ones they hold are equally valid.

Falstaff is on, at the Aurora on Saturday October 12th 2013 at 7.30pm and opera patrons are urged to secure their seats at their earliest possible.

Adding 'Grand' to comic 

Falstaff is very frequently performed in the world’s major theatres. This being one of Verdi’s greatest that was never seen before in Gozo (keeping in mind that Malta only witnessed to one foreign production) helped in embarking upon this year’s opera venture. Of course, the Aurora is expected to spice the ‘comic’ with some ‘grand’ness as is now customary.

Falstaff, with an intricate plot inspired by Shakespearean literary works, is not only music for the ears but also a feast for the eyes. Indeed, it is the opera “to be seen”. So the local opera public is highly recommended not to miss this one-time opportunity to get acquainted with a new opera title, which is being presented locally.

Tickets may be purchased online, but enquiries might still be dealt with either at the theatre’s Box Office, (21559452) or via email on[email protected].

Paolo Gavanelli, from Covent Garden's ROH to the Aurora

The full cast for this year’s Falstaff will be announced shortly. Yet, the Aurora theatre is proud to have secured the services of world-renowned Italian baritone Paolo Gavanelli who will be carrying the title role. In the world of opera, Gavanelli has been lauded as “the foremost Verdi baritone of his generation – arguably the only truly authentic representative of this apparently dying breed active today” (Hugh Canning, Musicologist), being given exceptional reviews for his performances at London’s Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.