Three operas, three languages

The chairman of the Manoel Theatre paid tribute to the corporate social responsibility of large companies that, over the years, helped raise the standard of Maltese opera.

"Opera's future depends on such support and patronage and I hope we will find more in the coming months to ensure the future of this festival," Peter Fenech said at the launch of this year's BOV Opera Festival, now a regular on the cultural calendar.

The bank has once again joined forces with the Manoel to present a packed week of high-class events.

Being held between March 18 and 25, there is a new element to this year's programme. For the first time, the three operas will be in three different languages: Riders To The Sea will be in English, Le Pauve Matelot (The Poor Sailor) in French and The Magic Flute in German.

Riders To The Sea is the acclaimed stage production of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Composed in 1927, it is a one-act opera based on the text by John Millington Synge, an Irish playwright, which tells the story of a woman who loses her husband, father-in-law and five sons to the sea. Directed by Christian Gangneron, this opera features mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Mayeur, baritone Patrice Verdelet and sopranos Elsa Lévy together with Sevan Manoukian.

Also directed by Mr Gangneron, Le Pauvre Matelot is a three-act opera composed by Darius Milhaud to the libretto of Jean Cocteau. This opera recounts how a sailor returns home in disguise, only to find that his loving wife, consumed by the lies he has conjured up, tries to get rid of the "stranger" to try and rescue her husband. It will feature Jean Delescluse as the sailor/stranger, Claudine Le Coz as his wife, Jacques Bona as the father-in-law and Jean-Baptiste Dumora.

Mozart's The Magic Flute is perhaps the most popular of the three operas and it is essentially based on a fairy tale. This opera will feature an almost entirely Maltese cast, accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Laus. Johnathan Boyd, Gillian Zammit, Kevin Caruana, Noel Galea, Maria Abela, Charles Vincenti and Conchi Moyano are the main singers.

Ticket prices range from €20 to €60, and there are concessions for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased from the Manoel Theatre booking office by calling 2124 6389, e-mailing bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or visiting www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.