Gozo operas need more private sector backing to be sustainable

Gozo opera producers are facing "serious financial difficulties" and are calling for more sponsorship from the private sector in order for their productions and cultural festivals to be sustainable, The Malta Independent on Sunday has learnt.

Meanwhile, the Astra is presenting its eighth Mediterranea Festival between 23 October and 21 November, the highlight of which will be two performances of Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto on Thursday, 29 and Saturday, 31 October.

Opera organisers rightly claim an international production, with the participation of world-renowned singers and artistic directors and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Production costs typically escalate to well over €100,000 and such funds, producers say, could never be raised from ticket sales alone, even though performances are well attended, Astra Theatre secretary-general Michael Formosa explained.

So far, the two Gozitan theatres have managed to break even, with the help of sponsors who donate thousands of euros every year. Spokesmen for the Aurora Theatre also said that they have considered stopping their operatic productions because they involve very high expenditure and funds are becoming difficult to raise. The government supports the productions through the Culture, Gozo and Tourism Ministries but producers still cannot commit themselves to the future of opera on the island. It begs the question of whether these productions, and the Mediterranea Festival, are marketed properly and given the necessary financial backing and support.

Mr Formosa explained that a production involves the participation of over 200 volunteers, whose love for opera and music gives them the necessary impetus. The organisation, stage construction, costumes and marketing all have to be catered for. Furthermore, foreign singers will be in Gozo for the three weeks leading up to the production, so accommodation, flights, transport and other expenses have to be provided. Due to their size and lack of specialisation in the field, the Gozitan producers are seeking the assistance of foreign artistic directors who present operas in major European theatres.

Gozitan opera is also considered a platform for local singers and talent. In fact tenor Joseph Calleja's debut performance was in the role of Macduff in Verdi's Macbeth produced by the Astra Theatre some years ago. The challenge, Mr Formosa explains, is to make opera accessible to young people, especially since many Maltese and Gozitans will never have been to an operatic production before. He believes that more interest could be aroused if a proper opera theatre was established in Malta. This, however, seems to be a remote possibility now that the Royal Opera House site will not be used for this purpose.

The Astra Theatre also believes in presenting fresh performances and not simply repetitions of past productions. Meanwhile, the opera festival held at the Manoel Theatre cannot really be compared to other European opera festivals for a number of reasons, including the fact that the stage is too small and is not properly equipped to present opera.

Nonetheless, the Gozitan operas have a number of dedicated patrons, both locals and foreigners. The Astra Theatre has been producing operas since 1978 and describes the productions as occasions to promote culture during the off-peak season in Gozo and Malta. The event had evolved into a full-blown festival by 2001, and offers a cultural attraction for hundreds of foreigners in Gozo during the low season.

While the organisers receive some assistance from the government, especially in terms of marketing Gozo, the financial assistance is not considered to be enough to make ends meet. Questioned about the fact that two opera houses hold their productions within the same three-week period, Mr Formosa said it shows there is a demand for the genre. The Astra Theatre has launched an initiative offering tickets at reduced prices to make the performances more affordable for university students and art students attending the state music and drama schools.

It is also seeking new ways of tapping EU funds, perhaps in partnership with EU theatres. But finding the human resources to seek out such opportunities, make contacts and actually tap into the funds is always difficult, he added.

"We are so enthusiastic about our productions that we put all our efforts into quality, which sells," Mr Formosa said, while expressing his fear that this year's sales may be affected by the recession. Nevertheless, he promises not to scrimp on quality. He called for the efforts of the Gozitan people to be recognised by the national authorities and for a greater appreciation of Gozo's cultural festivals.

by Annaliza Borg | The Malta Independent on Sunday (27.09.2009)