Gozo for arts and culture

The Leone Band Club in collaboration with the Gozo Ministry and the Victoria Council, is organising its first Cittadella - Gozo for Arts and Culture series of events from Saturday till Friday, December 5.

Addressing a press conference last week, Mario Gatt, festival co-ordinator, explained that this year the band club's committee decided to venture on to a new ground by organising five main cultural events rather than the one-off event held in previous years. The series of events is being held to enhance the artistic level while attracting tourists during the winter season, he said.

Activities will kick off on Saturday with the concert by the Leone Band at the Aurora Opera House, to mark the band club's 140th anniversary. The band will play operative excepts and popular music including seletions from Phantom of the Opera and Tina Turner's Songs. The band will be directed by Mro Colin Attard, with the assistance of Joseph Debrincat and Mark Gauci.

On Saturday, November 29, Rossini's popular opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia will be performed. Renowned Italian singer Marzio Giosi, who will be singing Figaro and Romanian soprano Carmen Oprisanu will be singing the part of Rosina. Other singers are Angelo Romero, Ivan Tomasev and Giuliano di Filippo. Directed by Mro Colin Attard, the opera will be performed at the Aurora Opera House. Tickets cost Lm20 each.

A concert entitled Sacred Music dedicated to Santa Maria is being held at the Gozo Cathedral on Wednesday, December 3. Mro Attard will direct a concert version of Missa in Solemnitate Assumptae, by Mro Joseph Sammut with soloists Rita Dimech, Marie Therese Vella, Joseph Aquilina and Noel Galea. The singers will be accompanied by the Cathedral Orchestra.

Activities will end on Friday, December 5, with cultural tours of the Citadel and Gozo Cathedral, under the co-ordination of Rev. Dr Joseph Bezzina. This will be followed by a traditional Gozitan night at the Leone Band Club in the evening, with stalls serving traditional Gozitan food. Entertainment will include a performance by the Aurora Folk Group. Tickets cost Lm2.

"We are very impressed with what is taking place and we are prepared to dedicate a lot of time and money to support the event," Leslie Vella, Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) CEO said.

Cittadella - Gozo for Arts and Culture is sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority, Maltacom, Bank of Valletta, Air Malta, Fimbank, Wands, DataStream, Enemalta, Macphersons Paints, Dhalia, Bartholine, Consolidated Biscuits, Central Cigarettes, Central Bank, Farsons Foundation and BUPA.

Bookings can be made by phoning 2156-2974 from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m.

Further information may be obtained from the Website www. citadella.leone.org.mt.