Teatru Astra has announced the 13th edition of Festival Mediterranea, a series of concerts and events that bring together Italian opera and traditional music with other cultural events.

This year’s pride of place goes to the production of Verdi’s much-loved opera Nabucco, with the participation of baritone Piero Terranova in the title role, together with soprano Silvia dalla Benetta in the role of Abigaille.

World-famous bass Carlo Colombara takes the role of Zaccaria and tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens takes on the lead role of Ismaele.

Maltese baritone Louis Andrew Cassar will sing the role of the Gran Sacerdote while Gozitan soprano Dorienne Portelli is in the role of Anna. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be under the direction of the festival’s and Teatru Astra’s artistic director Joseph Vella. The opera will be performed twice, on October 23 and 25.

Other musical events will feature two of Gozo’s foremost performers, Mario Galea (clarinet) and George Camilleri (euphonium). They will give a recital on October 24 at the Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort and Spa. On November 2, the La Stella Brass Ensemble, together with soloists, will give a concert of classical and semi-classical music at the Aula Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia.

On November 9, leading Maltese organist Hugo Agius Muscat will give an organ recital on the 18th-century organ at St George’s Basilica. The annual grand concert given by the La Stella Philharmonic Band, under the direction of Joseph Vella, will take place on November 15 at Teatru Astra.

The festival includes a series of other cultural events, such as a guided tour of the state-of-the-art Il-Ħaġar Museum; theatre productions; talks; and a number of visual exhibitions.

The Festival Mediterranea is being held between October 23 and November 24.

For more information call on 2155 0985 or 7925 6897 or send an e-mail to bookings@mediterranea.com.