St Maximillian Kolbe (1894-1941)St Maximillian Kolbe (1894-1941)

This weekend sees the staging of Kolbe, a new rock-opera in Maltese produced on the 75th anniversary of the death of St Maximillian Kolbe in the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland during World War II.

Inspired by this hero’s staunch faith and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin, the story is entwined with the values of solidarity, inclusion, peace and freedom, values which are still pertinent today.

The rock-opera is a two-hour non-stop musical production of song and dance performed by a 100-strong cast. The show’s music includes different styles of music ranging from ballads to rock, folk and blues for both singers and choirs.

Kolbe’s original score is written by Italian songwriter Daniele Ricci, while vocal arrangements were left in the hands of Mario Caruana and Evelyn Bonnici. Saviour Cremona is the artistic director of the show.

Ruth Portelli, Mario Caruana, Jamie Camilleri and Lara Xerri Mompalao take on the main roles with singers Sarah Bonnici, Maria Cassar, Fabian Galea, Angelica Portelli and Mario Portelli also in the cast.

■ Kolbe is being staged at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre in Victoria on Saturday at 7.30pm and on Sunday at 2.30pm. The final performance will take place on Saturday, March 18 at 7.30pm. Tickets can be obtained from the Don Bosco Oratory, by calling 2155 6616 or 9948 7751 or via e-mail on odbgozo@yahoo. For the benefit of English-speaking patrons, the production’s official publication will carry a summary of the story as well as other special notes in English.

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