Welcome to the 8th edition of Festival Mediterranea

Festival Mediterranea is now in its 8^th edition. The first edition was held in 2002 and has continued annually ever since. This year's edition runs from 23 October to 21 November. Most of the events are held in Gozo although site visits to heritage sites in Malta are included.

The annual festival seeks to promote the local colourful cultural identity in a bid to further attract appreciation from both locals and tourists. At the same time, the festival serves as an added attraction to boost tourism to Malta and Gozo in the off-peak period.

Its main event is the annual full-blown opera production the Astra is well-known for. Other events explore several other cultural aspects including history and archaeology.

 Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto

Pride of place goes to Opera that the Teatru Astra in Gozo is highly acclaimed for, this year with the double representation of Rigoletto, with the participation of an internationally-acclaimed cast, including local artistes of repute, most of whom are returning to the Astra following highly positive reviews in recent years.

Italian tenor Antonino Interisano is well-remembered for his 'Non Piangere Liù' and 'Nessun Dorma' in last year's Turandot (Astra, 2008), and his heart-breaker 'Vesti la Giubba' in his role as Canio-Pagliaccio in Pagliacci (Astra, 2006). He returns this year as the Duke of Mantua. Interisano once again sings alongside Gozitan soprano Miriam Cauchi, after the successful collaboration between the two, with Cauchi singing the part of Liù in Turandot (Astra, 2008) and that of Nedda-Colombina in Pagliacci (Astra, 2006). Miriam Cauchi this year takes on the demanding part of Gilda.

The Rigoletto title role will be sung by Bulgarian baritone Peter Danailov, who will be debuting in Malta specifically in this production. Danailov, who specialised under the direct supervision of Ghena Dimitrova, is well-established in the international operatic world ever since his debut in 1995. He has toured around Europe, especially in Italy, Germany and Austria, singing mostly Verdi. His participation in Rigoletto will certainly serve to complete a strong cast.

Other artistes returning to the Teatru Astra stage are include soprano Emilia Boteva as Maddalena, after her parts as La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica (Astra, 2006) and Lucia in Cavalleria Rusticana (Astra, 2006) and Italian Verdian bass Franco de Grandis, this time as Sparafucile after his Banco in Macbeth (Astra, 2007).

Rigoletto was the first opera production for Teatru Astra in 1978. It was again produced in 1998. This year, a more modern approach is being given to the production, left in the able hands of Italian Artistic Director Mario Corradi.

The National Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the baton of Prof. Mro. Joseph Vella, resident conductor at the Astra and music director to Festival Mediterranea. The reputable Teatru Astra Opera Chorus, trained by Dr Maria Frendo, once again is an important element in the production.

This Weekend's Events:

Friday 23 October: Recital on late 18th century British pipe organ: Richard Vendome | Aula Mgr G. Farrugia - St George's Basilica | 20.00hrs

Saturday 24 October: Recital by Italian Trio featuring Laura Armani (soprano), Paolo Marcante (clarinet) and Anna Tamiozzo (piano) | Aula Mgr G. Farrugia - St George's Basilica | 12.30hrs

Saturday 24 October: Concert by Schola Pietatis Antonio Vivaldi | St George's Basilica | 20.00hrs

Sunday 25 October: Vocal recital featuring soprano Amy Webber and pianist Richard Vendome | Aula Mgr G. Farrugia | 20.00hrs