Opera changed to concert after rehearsal incident

Opera lovers will have to make do with a concert version of Charles Gounod's Roméo et Juliette, as one of the main performers continues to recover in hospital following an accident in rehearsals.

Alejandro Gallo, 28, who was to play Mercutio, was seriously injured while rehearsing a duel at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on Wednesday with the actor playing Tybalt.

According to sources, the tip of a sword used in the duel hit him in the face, penetrating his nose and injuring his skull.

"After having assessed the traumatic situation resulting from the unfortunate incident... the management of the Manoel Theatre announced that the performances will go on as scheduled but in the form of a concert version," the theatre announced yesterday.

The sources said Mr Gallo was receiving the best treatment in hospital but it was not yet known whether he will be operated on in Malta or overseas.

Co-singers and crew were still baffled by the gravity of the incident. "It was a freak accident. There's no other term to describe it, especially since a professional fencing instructor was overseeing the whole process," one of them said.

Romeo et Juliette is being performed in Malta for the first time as part of the popular Bank of Valletta opera festival.

It will feature celebrated Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja and his wife Tatiana Lisnic in the main roles. They are being joined by a formidable cast including Gillian Zammit, Charles Vincenti, Claire Massa, Albert Buttigieg, Kevin Caruana, James Vella Bondin, Noel Galea and Joseph Lia.

The opera will be directed by Michael Laus and will feature the National Orchestra and the Malta Chorale.