Franco Zeffirelli’s right-hand man since 1992, Marco Gandini is fast becoming a Gozo-lover. He is the artistic mind behind the upcoming Astra Theatre’s production of La Traviata, to take place on October 28 and 30.

Marco Gandini has been entrusted by the Astra with what should be a classic rendition of Giuseppe Verdi’s famous opera. The artistic director is very eager and proud to be here in Malta, having returned a number of times in the last year to work on this project. He was in Gozo this week to work directly with one of the principal artistes in this year’s Astra opera production, soprano Miriam Cauchi.

The Gozo La Traviata will be Mr Gandini’s second production of this particular opera, and his first one outside Italy. His first La Traviata toured extensively in major theatres in Italy.

Besides the main theatres in Italy, including La Scala in Milan, the Arena di Verona and the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Mr Gandini has worked in several theatres around the world including the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Washington and Los Angeles Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv, the Teatro Liceu di Barcelona, the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Kirov in St Petersburg, the New National Theatre in Tokyo and the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

In the accompanying clip, Marco Gandini speaks about his experience in Malta so far and the reaction of the many people he met locally to this “utmost piece of art of Italian culture”.

La Traviata, which promises to be a breakthrough in local operatic production, will be performed at the Astra on October 28 and 30 as part of the Festival Mediterranea. More information may be obtained by phone on 2155 0985, 9988 3007 or online: www.mediterranea.com.mt.

An interview with Mr Gandini is being published in The Times today.

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