Operative masterpieces for BOV festival

The fourth Bank of Valletta Opera Festival will be held at the Manoel Theatre between March 15 and 23.

It will feature four performances of two operatic masterpieces - Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" and Mozart's "Don Giovanni" (with the National Orchestra conducted by Michael Laus) as well as an operatic concert by soloists Irina Djoieva (soprano) and baritone Vladimir Samsonov accompanied by pianist Mikhail Aptekman - all from the famous Marinsky Opera House of St Petersburg on March 19 at the Sala Isouard.

This year there will also be two extra concerts, one featuring favourite arias from great operas at St Paul's Anglican Cathedral on March 18, and the other one a lunchtime on March 20 featuring popular romanza da salotto arias at the Italian Cultural Institute on Palace Square, Valletta.

Leading singers and choristers from Operalaboratorio, the vocal nursery of the Teatro Massimo of Palermo, will be performing on both occasions.

"Lucia di Lammermoor" one of the most exhilarating Italian operas of the 19th century, will be performed at the Manoel Theatre on Saturday March 15 and Monday 17th, in what promises to be an exciting original production by award-winning international guest director Plamen Kartaloff, who occupies the highest position in Bulgaria's National Opera. He will be assisted by the Manoel's stage supervisor, Marco Bartolo, who has been entrusted with the design of the set and costumes.

The young, gifted Maltese tenor Juan Gambina will sing the role of Edgardo; Bulgarian soprano, Mariana Panova will sing the role of Lucia.

"Don Giovanni", Mozart's most melodramatic opera, revolving round one of the most powerful operatic characters of all time, will be performed on March 22 and 23 by Operalaboratorio.

An attraction will be soprano Lydia Caruana, in the role of Donna Elvira.

Reservations for all events may be made from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, tel. 21 246389, fax 21 237340, bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt