Festival Mediterranea 2009 kicks off this weekend

Mediterranea '09, the Festival is off to a high-flying start this weekend with an exciting blend of music ranging from the Renaissance to the contemporary. The venue is the splendid environs of the Basilica of St George in the heart of the Gozo capital.  On Friday 23 established Oxford-based musicologist and musician, Richard Vendome is performing on the British late 19^th century organ in Aula Mgr Farrugia (St George's Basilica complex).  On Saturday 24^th , 2 separate concerts are scheduled. The Italian Embassy is presenting a Trio made up of Laura Armani (soprano), Paolo Marcante (clarinet) and Anna Tamiozzo (piano) within the context of the IX Week of Italian Language in the World. The lunchtime concert starting at 12.30pm will be held in the Aula Mgr Farrugia. In the evening, the Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi Ensemble will be performing choice works of the Venetian composer in the gilded Basilica.  The ensemble, an offshoot of the Oxford Girls' Choir, have also been specifically commissioned by BBC 4 to record various programmes about Vivaldi.  On Sunday 25, a vocal recital featuring soprano Amy Webber and pianist Richard Vendome will perform in the Aula Mgr Farrugia.  The evening concerts start at 8.00pm.  All concerts are free of charge. Patrons are invited to be seated 10 minutes prior to commencement. 

Festival Mediterranea 2009 runs from October 23 to November 21. This year's highlight: Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto will be staged twice: Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October. Both representations start at 19.30hrs.