Teatru Astra has just announced its latest educational initiative, Behind the Opera Curtain, a free workshop with directors and soloists from Teatru Astra's forthcoming production of Nabucco. Aimed at opera lovers, singers and students, the workshop will be held at the Teatru Manoel's Studio Theatre on Monday, 13 October at 5.30pm.Artistic director, Enrico Stinchelli, musical director, Joseph Vella and the lead singers of the forthcoming Nabucco, namely baritone Piero Terranova, mezzo-soprano Olga Sliepnova, bass Carlo Colombara and local tenor, Cliff Zammit Stevens will be participating in this workshop.The artistic director will talk about operatic stage production in general but with particular reference to Nabucco. The talk will be illustrated (and followed) by live illustrations from the singers who will sing arias mainly from Nabucco. The musical director will also briefly put all the details in context. The event, which is supported by Bank of Valletta, is free but there is limited capacity so booking is essential. Booking can be made online at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, by email on  [email protected] or by phoning on 2124 6389.Opera at the Astra enjoys a well-established tradition of excellence, with the engagement of an internationally renowned cast, a fantastic resident opera chorus, imposing sets and scenery, outstanding costumes and a spectacle of lights. This year's Nabucco will feature another formidable cast of solo singers. The musical director is Professor Joseph Vella, while the artistic direction has, once again, been entrusted to Enrico Stinchelli. Nabucco is part of the 13 edition of Festival Mediterranea, a unique endeavour and the only festival of its kind on the Maltese islands, combining high culture with the production of an Italian opera in conjunction with traditional fare. The festival website www.mediterranea.com.mt carries all the latest updates on the opera and festival.Teatru Manoel has also a long tradition of staging operas albeit on a different scale to the Astra. On 12, 13, 15 March 2015 it will present Gaetano Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore with soloists Madina Karbeli, Shoushik Barsoumian, Matteo Mezzaro, Philippe-Nicolas Martin, Valdis Jansons, Emilio Marcucci and Luciano Miotto. Maltese soloists include Francesca Aquilina and Rosabelle Bianchi with Cliff Zammit Stevens in the part of Nemorino.
To book and for more information on the opera and the workshop visit www.teatrumanoel.com.mt