Leading Argentinian tenor Daniel Muñoz is returning to Gozo's Astra Theatre to perform the leading role in Giuseppe Verdi's opera Otello which will be staged at the theatre on November 1.
This popular opera will form part of the second edition of the Gozo Festival Mediterranea which runs between October 30 and November 8.
Mr Muñoz will this year lead an international cast, comprising baritone Marco Chingari in the role of Iago; soprano Eleonora Valle, Desdemona; mezzo-soprano Elena Traversi, Emilia, and bass Sergio Fontana as Ludovico, together with local tenors Joseph Aquilina as Cassio; Charles Vincenti, Roderigo, and bass Albert Buttigieg, Montano.
The National Orchestra will play under the baton of Maestro Joseph Vella with Astra's Opera Chorus led by Maria Frendo.
Otello is Astra's 18th opera production and Italian stage director Giampaolo Zennaro has been invited as this year's artistic director.
Set in a seaport in Cyprus at the end of the 15th century, the opera, based on Shakespeare's dramatic tragedy, is divided in four acts by librettist Arrigo Boito. It was premiered in La Scala Theatre, in Milan on February 5, 1887.
Mr Muñoz made his debut in Lucia di Lamermoor at Lisbon's Teatro San Carlos and he has been billed in various European and American theatres alongside renowned artistes such as Giorgio Zancanaro and Ghena Dimitrova.
He has also worked with established conductors including Frubeck de Burgos, Zubin Mehta, Anton Guadagno and Maurizio Arena.
Among his memorable performances are Il Trovatore at the Filarmonica di Verona, Carmen in Genoa and London and Samson et Dalila during the Las Palmas Festival.
He is returning to the Astra for the second consecutive year after interpreting the role of King Gustav III in last November's Un ballo in Maschera.
Special ticket prices for Otello and the grand gala concert which brings the curtain down on Mediterranea on November 8 are available.
Tickets can be obtained from the Astra in Gozo or the offices of Koperattiva Zjarat Kulturali in Floriana.
For more information call on 21550985 or send an e-mail to info@mediterranea.com.mt.
Mediterranea is organised by the Astra in collaboration with the Malta Tourism Authority and Air Malta.