The 10th edition of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music, which runs in Gozo during Eastertide, will this year culminate with a full-scale opera production of Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Details of the programme were announced by the Gaulitanus Choir, which every year organises the festival. The festival opens with a semi-staged production of My Fair Lady on Easter Sunday at Palazzo Palina (Ta’ Ċenċ Hotel), marking 60 years since its first Broadway performance. A string of recitals and concerts follows, featuring artists from around the globe, including virtuosi on wind and stringed instruments, piano and organ, in solo and multiple ensemble formations.

An important strand of Gaulitana is the educational programme, which promotes cultural engagement through school workshops and events. The festival also includes a unique experience for aspiring vocal students as it is offering vocal masterclasses with soprano Miriam Gauci. Masterclasses run between March 28 and 30, followed by a public concert on March 31.

With artists coming from continental Europe as well as from the US and Egypt, Gaulitana promises to be an assortment of some of the finest music on the international scene. The festival strives to place Malta and Gozo on the global map of classical music and fine arts. Its keynote opera production stands witness to this, gaining international attention by notable agents such as the OperaNow magazine.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia will celebrate the bicentenary of the opera’s premiere, with Colin Attard once again at the helm of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Gaulitanus Choir, teaming up with Enrico Castiglione (director and set designer) and Sonia Cammarata (costumes).

Tickets for the opera, which takes place at the Aurora Opera House on April 23, are available online. The performance, preceded by a pre-opera talk, will be part of an Opera+ Weekend that will also feature Michael Laus in a piano recital on Friday evening, a Wine and Music performance by the Gaudos Violin Duo on Saturday and a lunchtime concert with the Tortorelli-Meluso Duo, as well as a vocal finale by Miriam Cauchi and an instrumental ensemble on Sunday.

The festival is supported by Arts Council Malta and is a recipient of the EFFE Label.

www.gaulitanus.com;

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