Once again all opera lovers at the Aurora Theatre in Victoria, Gozo were regaled and thrilled by a grand production of Verdi’s Rigoletto, in collaboration with the prestigious Taormina Festival Theatre and with the participation of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Mro Colin Attard, and outstanding foreign and Gozitan talent.

I was carried away by a superb rendering of this tragic opera performed to a packed theatre.

In its ninth year of existence, the Gualitana Spring Festival in Victoria has established itself as a musical extravaganza of the highest order and of a remarkable distinction, being the brainchild of the indefatigueable Gozitan maestro Attard, its artistic and musical director.

To prove itself as a super-city of culture, Victoria will soon launch its highly acclaimed Victoria Arts Festival.

Had I been at the Metropolitan, La Scala or La Fenice in Venice, where the Rigoletto was born, I would not have been so elated, emotional and patriotic, not least because I am enamoured with this enchanted isle.

This festival city of culture, with its irresistible passion for music, provides us with much talent and an impressive cultural portfolio during these 44 days of musical cornucopia which, with the notable exception of the opera, is all free of charge.

The recent fabulous per-formance of Rigoletto at the Aurora was a most fitting tribute to the memory of the renowned tenor, teacher and trail-blazer Paul Asciak (pictured above).