Turandot at Astra

The highlight of this year's edition of Festival Mediterranea will be two performances of Turandot by Giacomo Puccini which will take place at the Astra Theatre on October 23 and 25.

For the leading role, the Astra Theatre has managed to engage the services of renowned Italian soprano Francesca Patane who sang such an astounding Lady Macbeth in Verdi's Macbeth at the Astra last year.

Gozitan soprano Miriam Cauchi, no newcomer to the Astra, will appear as Liu' while Italian tenor Antonino Interisano will be Calaf. Ping, Pong and Pang will be resented by Marco Chingari, Giovanni Maini and Davide Malandra respectively. Franco de Grandis is Timur while Kevin Caruana is the Mandarino and Mario Portelli, L'Imperatore Altoum.

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be taking part under the direction of Mro Joseph Vella along with the Teatru Astra Opera Choir. Stage direction is by Mario Corradi.

Booking is open from the Astra helpline 2155 0985. For more information visit www.mediterranea.com.mt.