The number 13 is often regarded by some as an unlucky one; surely not so for the Gaulitanus Choir, particularly its indefatigable artistic director and mentor, Colin Attard, who once again managed to provide its numerous patrons with a night of pure opera magic with the presentation of the Manon Lescaut at the Aurora Theatre.

Indeed, during this year’s 13th edition of the Gaulitana Festival of Music, which has once more been awarded the prestigious EFFE (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) label by the European Festivals Association, Giacomo Puccini’s operatic masterpiece was presented on the local stage after an absence of 40 years from the Gozitan stage. This opera in four acts was composed between 1890 and 1893 and is based on the 1731 novel L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut by the Abbé Prévost.

All present could appreciate another impeccable performance by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under Attard’s baton, together with an international and local cast made up of Svetla Krasteva, as Manon Lescaut, Lucio Gallo, as her brother and guardian, Enrique Ferrer, as Chevalier Renato des Grieux a student, Luciano Leoni, as Geronte di Revior, Treasurer General, Didier Pieri, dance master and Lamplighter, Joseph Lia as innkeeper and naval captain, Ken Scicluna, as sergeant of the Royal Archers and Clare Ghigo, as a main singer, together with the Gaulitanus Choir. Incidentally, Krasteva was a very last-minute replacement to Miriam Gauci, who unfortunately was indisposed, and went on stage without any rehearsal.

Undoubtedly, the astounding success registered both during this opera night as well as throughout this springtime international festival, aptly described by The Sunday Times of Malta as “Gozo’s main classical musical festival”, would not have been possible without the festival’s hard working and energetic organising team.