More events this weekend during Festival Mediterranea

This weekend presents another full weekend of events held as part of the ninth edition of Festival Mediterranea, organised by Teatru Astra in Gozo, which continues until November 27.

Ggantija - the story retold, the experience relived is a visit with a difference, to the Ggantija Temples in Xaghra where Dr David Trump’s insightful experience at this unique prehistoric site follows an unusual introduction. The event starts today, Friday 5th, at 3.45pm, with those participating meeting the organisers at the temples’ main entrance.

Later on today, Festival Mediterranea continues with The Gozo Creative Theatre Club’s rendition of an English translation of Euripides’ Trojan Women, held at Teatru Astra at 8pm. Seating for this performance, which is back by popular demand after a successful production this summer, is on a first-come first-served basis.

Tomorrow, Saturday 6th, the last of the prehistory-themed events will be held, this time a half-day seminar entitled The Mystery of the Cart-Ruts and the many questions that they pose, held at the Conference Hall at the Ministry for Gozo in St Francis Square, Victoria. The seminar, starting at 9.00am and entrance to which is free of charge, sees the participation of Dr David Trump, Prof Anthony Bonanno, Prof Derek Mottershead, Joe Magro Conti and Daniel Cilia in debate on this most enigmatic subject.

The festival programme continues with a delightful concert by the La Stella Brass Ensemble and Soloists, tomorrow Saturday 6th evening. This concert will see soloist Mario Galea on clarinet playing Gioachino Rossini’s Introduction, Theme and Variations, followed by soloist George Camilleri on euphonium interpreting two contemporary compositions, Philip Sparke’s Aubade and Peter Graham’s Brillante. Galea and Camilleri will be accompanied by pianist Antoine Theuma. Clarinettist George Apap will interpret Robert Schumann’s Three Fantasy Pieces, this year being the second centenary from the composer’s birth. Clarinettist, and La Stella Philharmonic Band’s assistant director, Noel Beck will join Apap for Carl Stamitz’s Concerto in Bb Major. Pianist Yvette Galea will accompany.

The second part of this programme proceeds with the La Stella Brass Ensemble made up of Clint Gatt on trumpet, Robert Buttigieg on trumpet, Nathanael Zammit on trumpet, George Camilleri on euphonium, Antoine Theuma on tuba and Aaron Cini on trombone, interpreting Ennio Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe, a selection from The Beatles arranged by John G Mortimer, and Prof. Joseph Vella’s Preghiere. The concert will be held at 7.30pm at the Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia at St George’s Basilica in Victoria, entrance to which is free of charge.

The weekend closes with another concert that is an appointment not to be missed by opera and classical music lovers. A vocal recital, featuring soprano Letizia Colajanni and tenor Leonardo Alaimo, both from Sicily, accompanied by pianist Roberto Moretti, will be held on Sunday 7th November at 8pm again at the Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia at St George’s Basilica in Victoria, entrance to which is also free of charge.

The soprano and tenor will be singing highlights from Giaochino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia and La Cenerentola, the composer’s most amusing Duetto dei Gatti, arias from Giacomo Puccini’s La Rondine, Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Franz Lehar’s La Vedova Allegra and the unmistaken Brindisi from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, to remain in theme with the very successful production of the same opera by Teatru Astra last weekend that opened this year’s edition of Festival Mediterranea.

Festival Mediterranea continues with a number of events during this month, until Saturday 27 November. For a full list of events: mediterranea.com.mt. Booking or more enquiries available on 21550985 or [email protected] .

05.11.2010