Why you need to be in Gozo during the month of October?

Opera is Gozo – October 2018 – Opera Month

Autumn has been marked in the Gozitan Calendar as the Opera Season for several years. This year a rich flourish of opera-related and classical music activities is set to elevate the month of October as the Opera Month.

Here’s a list of what we can expect from the October this year and why you need to be in Gozo this month!

Opera Art – Arts Exhibition
Aurora Theatre
1st to 30th October, 9.00am to 8.00pm
An exhibition of artistic products that have emerged from an activity of European Opera Day 2018 which saw a fusion of visual arts and music.

Ċittadella By Night
Ċittadella, Victoria
12th October, 7.30pm
An opera talk, presentation and guided tour that will take place at the Ċittadella.

Street Opera
Republic Street, Victoria
13th October, 10.30am – 1.00pm
27th October, 10.30am – 1.00pm

Brindisi
Villa Rundle, Victoria
13th October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
27th October, 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Enjoy live classical music, free champagne and canapés at Villa Rundle Gardens, as a pre-opera gala event.

Tosca
Aurora Theatre, Victoria
13th October, 7.30 m
The much-awaited opera Tosca at the Aurora Theatre.

Fjakkolata
Santa Luċija, Kerċem
14th October, 7.00pm
The unique and traditional Fjakkolata will be taking place on Sunday 14th October, and one can visit Santa Luċija Square to enjoy food and music too.

Dressing up Power and Might
Aurora Theatre
16th to 30th October, 9.00am to 8.0 pm
Custom-made opera costumes used in the Tosca will be on exhibition at the Aurora Theatre.

Violin Duo Recital
Gozo Cathedral Museum, Ċittadella, Victoria
17th October, 7.30pm
A violin recital by David Lang and Emese Tóth, will perform Leclair’s and Mozart’s Sonatas for two violin, Spohr’s Duo concertante an and a number of Bartók’s duos.

Symphony of Lights
Santa Luċija, Kerċem
19th October, 8.30pm
An evening of music by the Saint Gregory Band that includes a fireworks and light spectacle.

Music & Wine – An Art in Science
Ta’ Mena Experience, Industrial Estate, Xewkija
20th October, 11.00am – 1.00pm
An event of wine, song and art.

On the Opera’s Ruins S/S 2019 – Luke Azzopardi
Aurora Theatre, Victoria
20th October 8, 9.00pm
A fashion presentation by Luke Azzopardi.

Music in Votive Liturgy & Festive Celebration
Ċittadella, Victoria
21st October, 9.30am
A historical talk about the cult of Saint Ursola, followed by a High Mass at the Gozo Cathedral, during which the Cathedral cappella choir will perform some of the oldest choral and orchestral music found in the Cathedral’s Musical Archives. A folk fest through the old medieval streets of the Ċittadella complete with folk dancers, street performers and a procession with the statue of Saint Ursola will be also be held.

Music in Liturgy – Sunday High Mass
St. George’s Basilica, Victoria
21st October, 11.00am
A High Mass will be held in repose of the soul of Mro. Joseph Vella, during which mass, the resident choir of St. George’s Basicilica will sing motets composed by the Maestro himself.

Teatru Astra 50th Anniversary Exhibition – Inauguration of the Exhibition
Il-Ħaġar Museum, St. George’s Square, Victoria
21st – 30th Oct, 11.45am
An exhibition that celebrates 50 years of Astra Theatre.

Lunchtime Concert of Choral Music, Oxford Girls’ Choir
St. George’s Basilica, Victoria
24th October, 12.00pm
A lunchtime concert of choral music by the Oxford Girls’ Choir.

Opera for the Lady who Strayed: A pre-opera talk about La Traviata
Vini e Capricci, Gozitano, Mġarr Road, Xewkija
25th October, 12.00pm
27th October, 10.00am
A pre-opera talk about La Traviata.

La Traviata
Astra Theare, Republic Street, Victoria
25th October, 7.30pm
27th October, 7.30pmm
The last opera for 2018, La Traviata will be staged at the Astra Theatre. 

 

Guided Tour of Il-Ħaġar Museum and the Joseph Vella Music Archive 
Il-Ħaġar Museum, St. George’s Square, Victoria
26th Oct, 12.00pm – 1.00pm
A guided tour of both the museum itself and the archive that the Maestro Joseph Vella himself donated to the Museum Foundation earlier this year, before his demise.

In the Company of Good Wine – Wine Tasting Event
Tal-Massar Winery, Għarb
26th Oct, 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Wine tasting session at the vineyard in Għarb including the tasting of 4 different award-winning wines.

Ovid… An Entertainment
San Lawrenz Leisure Resort, San Lawrenz
26th October, 7.30pm
The Oxford Girls Choir, Cantiquorom and oboist George Caird will present Ovid…An Entertainment – a fusion of music from Handel’s opera-oratorio Semele (1744) and Britten’s Six Metamorphoses After Ovid (1951) for solo oboe.

Trumpet & Piano Recital
Ministry for Gozo Hall, St. Francis Square, Victoria
28th October, 7.30pm
The last recital of the MUSIC+ Festival that is being organised by The Classique Foundation.

There is no doubt that these events display Gozo’s love for culture which has for decades have been fueled by the two main theatre houses, who although many describe as rivals have been the springboard from which many local talents have emerged and have been pivotal in establishing Gozo as an opera destination.

 

Check out all the upcoming events here