The Gozo Youth Orchestra within the Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra kickstarts its annual summer events with the 16th edition of Opera vs Pop Under the Stars. This highly-expected orchestral music galore spectacle will be held once again at the Ggantija Archaeological Park on Monday, 29 July at 8.30pm.
This year's edition will include guest singer Pamela Cibrano (New York), the original soprano who took part in the first 12 editions of this annual concert event. She will join our present resident soprano Nicola Said, soprano (Malta/UK) and guest soprano Francesca Power, soprano (UK). Resident singers bass Noel Galea (Gozo, Malta), Pop tenor Ludwig Galea (Malta) and Pop singer Sarah Bonnici (Gozo, Malta), as well as upcoming musical theatre singer Tara Azar (UK) will team up to present an astounding evening in the unique setting of Ggantija. The concert consists of arias, duets and orchestral excerpts from the opera world in the first part while shifting to a lighter style repertoire spanning from musical theatre, soundtracks and pop music in the second part. The Gozo Youth Orchestra will be under the direction of its founder and musical director Mro Dr Joseph Grech.
Ever since its inception in 2002, the Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra, consisting of two separate groups of young and promising musicians, have been entertaining the general public with a wide range of stylistic repertoire to the enjoyment of all age groups. Hailing from all over Gozo (and enriched with proficient guest musicians including foreign residents residing on the island), these young musicians meet regularly to prepare a wide spectrum of musical genre to be performed in various high-calibre events held from time to time in Gozo and Malta.
The whole concept behind this project, originating after a successful tour by The Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band & Orchestra in 2001, besides creating the opportunity to young talented musicians to perform in the collective manner, is to create a new approach to concert performances by nearly-similar ensembles and strives to explore new/innovative aspects of presenting its performances.
As in previous years this event is held in conjunction with the US Embassy to Malta and under the distinguished patronage of Ms Constance J. Milstein, US Ambassador to Malta. Limited number of places are available (on a first-come first-served basis) and special logistic arrangements are being adhered to safeguard this site.
This event was made possible through the assistance of the Cultural Heritage Directorate; Ministry for Gozo and Planning; US Embassy Malta; Heritage Malta; Ministry for the National Heritage, The Arts and Local Government; Malta Tourism Authority; Malta International Airport; General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd; The Duke Boutique Hotel and Paul Stellini Design Studio.
Booking is now open and for reservation details kindly send an email on [email protected] or phone on 7942 1611/9942 1611. Visit our website: https://gozowindbandorchestra.com or Facebook page: The Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra
The Gozo Youth Orchestra would also like to invite its esteemed followers to take note of the upcoming events:
- Stage & Proms on the Sea at the Mgarr Marina by the Gozo Youth Wind Band on Monday, 16 September at 8.30pm with Ludwig Galea and Rachel Fabri
- Rock and Pop Classics of the 80s & 90s - a spectacular rock orchestral concert on Saturday, 12 October at the MCC in Valletta, and
- Gala Performances of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber 2 on Saturday, 23 November at Aurora Theatre Victoria, Gozo