Free public lecture on the dynamics of La Traviata

As part of its educational outreach programme in connection with its opera production La Traviata later this month, Teatru Astra is organising a lecture for the general public, free of charge, in Malta, in which the dynamics of Verdi’s immensely popular opera will be explained and demonstrated.

The public lecture, held on Monday 18th October at 6pm at the Robert Samut Hall in Floriana will serve as a fitting prelude to the double-representation of La Traviata at Teatru Astra on the 28th and 30th October.

 During the hour-long session Italian director Marco Gandini, entrusted by Teatru Astra with this year’s opera production, will guide the public through the main nodes of the three-act opera and introduce some of the production features. Marco Gandini has directed operas in many of the most important theatres in Italy (Milan, Florence, Venice, Bologna, Rome, Verona, Palermo, Genoa) as well as in Tokyo, Tel Aviv, London, San Francisco, Washington, Moscow and lately Salzburg. Prof. Mro. Joseph Vella, who will be conducting the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra during La Traviata, will also be in attendance as will select members of the cast who will be singing selected pieces from the opera.

 The general public, especially patrons who will be attending one of the opera performances, is invited to attend. However, since the venue is an enclosed space, seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Teatru Astra, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Employment and the Family, the Ministry for Gozo, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Bank of Valletta, has embarked on several educational outreach initiatives this year to foster an increased awareness and appreciation of opera, particularly in the younger generations. A workshop with school-children in Malta will be held on Monday 18th October during the first half of the morning, with a similar event being held in Gozo the following day.

Full-time students under 25 years of age are also eligible to purchase heavily-subsidised opera tickets for the opening night, which have been reduced from the original price of €50 to €10 per student, with any other accompanying adult also benefiting from a 20% discount at the price of €40.

La Traviata forms part of the 9th edition of Festival Mediterranea, organised by volunteers at Teatru Astra in collaboration with Bank of Valletta, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Vodafone Malta Foundation, the Ministry for Gozo and the Ministry for Finance, the Economy and Investment.

The Festival Mediterranea programme of events is available online at mediterranea.com.mt. Booking on [email protected] or 21550985 or 99883007.

11.10.2010