Malta Art Events once again satisfied their patrons last Friday when they held the Gala opera to mark the 200th anniversary of composers Verdi and Wagner. The concert, under the direction of acclaimed Italian Maestro Damiano Binetti included the participation of the Malta Philharmonic orchestra, the New Choral singers, as well as local and international artists.

Maestro Damiano Binetti comments that he was pleased with the attendance and that he is more than honoured to have, with Malta Art Events, organized this spectacular concert, which included the participation of over hundred artists, which included local and foreign performers.

The Grand Masters Suite at the Hilton Hotel Portomaso was the setup for this event to commemorate the birth of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, two most famous opera composers of the 19th century, iconic figures in their respective countries in very turbulent times were fundamentally different from other another. However, the two have managed to use theatre and music to link societies together.

The programme included some of the most popular arias from operas such as La Vergine degli Angeli from La Forza del Destino (1862) performed by Adriana Yordanov and The New Choral Singers;  From Rigoletto (1851) baritone Andrij Shkurhan performed Cortigiani Vil Razza Dannata while tenor Giacomo Patti performed  La Donna e Mobile; Quartet: Un Di’, Seben Rammentomi – Bella Figlia… was performed by tenor Giacomo Patti, May Caruana (Alto), baritone Andrij Shkurhan and soprano Claudia Tabone.

Performed also was the prelude (First Act) and Wedding Chorus from Lohengrin (1850).

The evening continued with the symphony from I VespriSiciliani (1855) followed by Der Fliegende Hollaender (1843) with  Overture ands enta’s Ballad performed by soprano Adriana Yordanova.

From Don Carlos (1867) Albert Buttigieg (bass) performed Ella Giannai M’Amo.

The concert then featured the Symphony as well as Coro degli Ebrei: Va, pensiero, sull’ alidorate’ from Nabucco (1842).

Yordanova and Caruana were next on stage to perform the aria Tacea La Notte Placida from Il Trovatore (1853) as well as Stride la Vampa (Caruana) while Andrij Shkurhan performed Il Balen del Suo Sorriso.

The evening came to an end with Brindisi from La Traviata (1853) with the participation of Claudia Tabone, Giacomo Patti and the Choir, while during the encore patrons could enjoy the performance from Lohengrin (Prelude Act II), and the Triumphal March from Aida.

Malta Art Events are now gearing up for another event. Following The Best of Romeo and Juliet and last Friday’s Opera Gala, they will now focus on the Viennese Night to be held in December. For more details, one can look up their official web page www.maltaartevents.com