The operatic landscape in Malta is set to receive a bold and timely addition on the 25th of April at St Agatha's Auditorium with TRAB: The Rest is Dust, the final chapter in a contemporary opera trilogy that began with Swar and Blat as part of Belt il-Bniedem project in collaboration with the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College (MAVC) under the executive production of Victor Galea, the Head of the College.
Written and conceived by Ġorġ Peresso as the librettist and Reuben Pace as the composer, TRAB: The Rest is Dust continues to challenge audiences with deeply relevant social, environmental, and philosophical questions-this time zeroing in on the destructive pursuit of power and profit at the expense of nature, human dignity, and truth.
Set against the backdrop of a pristine valley threatened by a massive development project, this opera opens with the high-powered executives of "Rocco and Son Development Ltd." celebrating a lucrative deal that will see the construction of high-rise buildings, luxury villas, and a university on untouched land. The scene-glistening with champagne, tuxedos, and jazz-quickly reveals its darker undercurrent: a plan that will devastate the natural world and displace the simple but profound lives of those who live in harmony with it.
At the heart of the story is The Lord of the Garden, a mystical figure symbolising harmony, tradition, and ecological wisdom. Opposing him is Rocco, the brash corporate mogul whose belief that "everything has a price tag" becomes the central conflict of the opera. As bulldozers loom closer and lies are spun to discredit the garden's inhabitants, the opera unfolds a rich tapestry of interwoven themes: environmental destruction, capitalist excess, homophobia, xenophobia, and the loss of timeless values.
The opera's deeply lyrical libretto weaves sharp satire, poetic arias, and poignant ensemble scenes. Particularly moving is the quartet between Gaia, Prue, Carmen, and The Lord of the Garden, as they confront despair with courage. The presence of children throughout-singing protest songs and confronting power-adds an emotional resonance that underlines the opera's urgent message: the future is not for sale.
The opera ends on a haunting note. After uprooting a sacred rose symbolising wisdom and creation, Rocco and his allies are left in a world where "all the rest is dust"-a chilling reminder of the transience of wealth, status, and materialism.
With its potent combination of satire, spirituality, and social commentary, TRAB: The Rest is Dust is set to leave a lasting impression on Malta's cultural scene. As the final act of a powerful trilogy, it stands as both an artistic milestone and a moral wake-up call.
Don't miss this one-night-only premiere of a groundbreaking new work in Malta's operatic repertoire. Reserve your free seat now at ticketline.com.mt.