Riccardo Muti visits Victoria theatres

World famous conductor Mro Riccardo Muti, who was in Malta last week, found time to visit the two Victoria opera houses, the Astra and the Aurora.

Mro Muti was warmly welcomed at the Astra Theatre, where he could personally follow the last rehearsal before the curtain fell on the three operas - Pagliacci, Suor Angelica and Cavalleria Rusticana - on Thursday night. The visit was only meant to last a few minutes, but Mro Muti decided to stay and closely monitor the happenings both on and off stage.

The maestro sat in the theatre auditorium, listening attentively to the notes and harmonious voices that filled the otherwise tense air. Members of his entourage reported that he praised the upcoming production, highlighting particular moments.

Following the rehearsals, Mro Muti met with the soloists, choir members, festival music director Joseph Vella, choir director Maria Frendo and the Astra Theatre's management team. Mro Muti later took some time to sign autographs.

The members of the orchestra of the Accademia Musicale Siciliana, who are in Gozo, were extremely enthusiastic about meeting their idol.

On Wednesday, Mro Muti also visited the Aurora Opera House, where he was welcomed by the secretary of the Leone Band Club, John Schembri and was shown around the theatre.

Also present at the Aurora Opera House were Dr Anton Tabone and Amabile Zammit, directors of Renaissance Productions, and the Mayor of Victoria, Robert Tabone.

Mro Muti was presented with a CD featuring the Leone Band.

Mro Muti was director of the Philadelphia Opera House between 1980 and 1992 and director of Milan's La Scala between 1986 and 2005.