Miriam Gauci to direct Rigoletto

Soprano Miriam Gauci is, for the first time, stepping out of her role as an internationally acclaimed opera singer to wear the hat of producer and artistic director of Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto at the seventh BOV Opera Festival next month.

Not only is it the first time Ms Gauci is embarking on this novel experience, which she is ecstatic about, but it is also the first time that one of the two main operas in the seven editions of the festival is being directed by a Maltese.

Made in Malta Rigoletto is also the first opera to include a predominantly Maltese cast - soprano Gillian Zammit, mezzo soprano Claire Massa, tenor Juan Gambina and bass Noel Galea - in a show of the wealth of local talent.

It is also all in the family, with Ms Gauci's husband Michael Laus as music director and their son John taking on the role of assistant director.

Ms Gauci's directorial debut at the Manoel Theatre next month also has an emotional aspect to it, taking her back a quarter of a century when she made her debut as a soprano in Malta with the very same opera.

"I hope Rigoletto gives me the success and luck in my directorial career as it did in my international singing career 25 years ago."

In a sneak preview of her vision for Rigoletto, Ms Gauci said she would be sticking to the original 17th century period costumes, but the scenario would be quite modern, and not conventional.

That was, after all, the direction the world of opera was moving towards, and Ms Gauci, who has amassed years of experience in theatres overseas through her international career, intends to go down the same road.

But, despite the modern touch, Ms Gauci insisted there would be nothing "scandalous" about it, expressing disdain for "senseless modernism" that she too has sometimes had to suffer in her international career.

Ms Gauci had words of praise for the collaboration and level of professionalism she has found in the local theatre environment, from lighting to costumes to set design.

The idea is also to have only one interval, technology permitting, as was the case overseas. "It is part of the theatre-going logic of today. The audience can go out to dinner after..."

Rigoletto opens the BOV Opera Festival, which has been extended from three to four days, on March 15, with a second performance on March 17.

Apart from Verdi's opera, the festival is also featuring Gioacchino Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, which is closing it with two performances on March 21 and 22 at the Manoel Theatre.

A concert of arias from Maltese operas is being held on March 18, with a concert version of Henry Purcell's opera Dido and Aeneas on March 19, both of which are being staged at the auditorium of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, St Julians.

Manoel Theatre Management Committee chairman Wilfred Kenely considered the seventh edition of the classic music festival to be special due also to Ms Gauci's new role. He described her involvement as an immense satisfaction and an honour for the local and international audience that would be watching the production.

"As a leading player in the Maltese economy, we are aware that an organisation of our size has an obligation to society that extends beyond providing financial services to customers," said the Bank of Valletta's CEO, Tonio Depasquale, adding that the festival was also enjoying the support of Valletta Fund Management and Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co. Ltd for the first time this year.