Third weekend of events during Festival Mediterranea

Festival Mediterranea continues for the third consecutive weekend with a number of events that cover different cultural aspects of life on Gozo.

On Friday 12 November the festival brings with it A Celebration of Art Song, an evening of art song with French, German and Italian songs, chansons and lieder. The event, produced by Opera Studio Teatru Astra, displays the studio’s students’ vocal qualities since the start of their training earlier this year, in a concert at the Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia at St George’s Basilica in Victoria. The concert, which starts at 8pm, is free of charge, with seating on a first-come first-served basis.

Saturday 13 November morning takes the curious on a visit to the vineyard of the Hili family in Gharb, the very source of the organic wine produced in Gozo under the Tal-Massar label. The event at this family-run boutique winery takes the participant on a visit around the fields from where the crop has been harvested in recent weeks, where a detailed explanation of grape cultivation will be given by the young husband and wife team. The event also lends the participants to a hands-on experience. Wines and home-made delicacies may also be sampled. Those wishing to attend should book in advance and then meet the organisers at Gharb Square at 13.45h on Saturday.

Festival Mediterranea also includes a return of Centre Stage Dance Academy to the Teatru Astra stage, this time with Truly Unforgettable, a dance spectacle which includes the participation of more than 200 dancers in this celebration of timeless popular songs. This production, under the artistic direction and choreography of young dance teacher Natalie Sciortino, features an array of dance numbers in jazz, ballet, hip hop and the contemporary genre. It will entail songs by artists such as Domenico Modugno, Tina Turner and Joe Cocker amongst others, as well as contemporary pop songs by modern artistes including Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue and Cheryl Cole. Truly Unforgettable will be held on Saturday 13 November at 7.30pm at Teatru Astra.

Festival Mediterranea, now in its ninth edition, is produced by Teatru Astra and runs until Saturday 27 November. More information on the remaining events is available online at mediterranea.com.mt. Booking requirements from 21550985 or 99883007. Booking for Truly Unforgettable is available from 79200488 or 21565167.

09.11.2010