Astra Theatre launched the 10th edition of the Festival Mediterranea, a month-long celebration of Art and Culture in the heart of Gozo.

This year’s festival, presenting a programme of varied cultural events, from opera to food and wine, will be held between October 27 and November 19.

The festival is held with two principal aims – that of fostering better appreciation of local culture among those residing in Malta and Gozo, and that of serving as an added cultural attraction to the cultural tourist, year on year contributing to the island’s economy considering the extent of internal tourism it generates.

In fact, the lean period of late October to November is specifically chosen in a bid to help cultural tourism during an off-peak period.

He further explained this year’s programme of events, with opera as the festival’s principle attraction, includes a number of concerts, from chamber to symphonic, as well as lectures and on-site visits, covering the periods from prehistory to the Knights of St John, as well as from the Baroque to the Romantic. The festival also gives prominence to local traditions and trades especially those related to food and wine-growing.

The festival opens with its most demanding event – the opera, which is held twice at Teatru Astra, on the opening night (October 27) and on Saturday, October 29. Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma presents quite a demanding production and that was the reason why the festival organisers opted for this work to celebrate the festival’s tenth edition.

An excellent soprano has been engaged for the title role – Dimitra Theodossiou, who will be singing for the first time in Malta, while tenor Antonino Interisano will be returning to the Astra Theatre stage, singing the part of Pollione. Other main singers include Romanian Oana Andra for the part of Adalgisa and Italian Dario Russo as Oroveso.

Maestro Joseph Vella, the festival music director will himself be conducting the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

Other musical events include a chamber violin and piano recital, sung High Mass with the participation of the Laudate Pueri Choir, a concert by the La Stella Brass Ensemble and Soloists, and the annual La Stella Philharmonic Band concert which presents a selection of popular, classical and operatic pieces.

• More information may be obtained online: www.mediterranea.com.mt.