Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece Turandot will open this year's theatre season at the Astra Theatre in Gozo as it celebrates the composer's 150th anniversary of his birth.
Two performances of Turandot will be held as part of the seventh edition of Festival Mediterranea, on October 23 and 25, turning the two nights into a Nessun Dorma affair.
Francesca Patané, a highly-acclaimed dramatic soprano with a voice, temperament and poise that strongly recall the immortal Maria Callas, will sing the title role.
The soprano is still vividly remembered as Lady Macbeth in last year's Astra's production of Macbeth.
Ms Patané is best known for her interpretation of the formidable Turandot, having performed it in, among others, Athens, Italy, Bilbao, Helsinki, Hong Kong, the Bolshoi in Russia, Rotterdam, Stuttgart, Taipei, Tokyo, the Welsh National Opera and Zagreb.
Alongside Ms Patané, the Astra's Turandot will feature a strong cast with Gozitan soprano Miriam Cauchi taking on the role of Liù and Italian tenor Antonino Interisano returning to the Astra, this time as Calàf.
Ping, Pong and Pang will be sung by Marco Chingari, Giovanni Maini and Davide Malandra respectively while Franco de Grandis interprets the role of Timur.
More local talent is being engaged with Kevin Caruana as the Mandarino and Mario Portelli as L'Imperatore Altoum.
Staple Astra opera productions ingredients will again form the backbone for Turandot.
The Astra opera chorus will be in the able hands of choir mistress Maria Frendo, while Joseph Vella will direct the National Philharmonic Orchestra. Stage director Mario Corradi is being entrusted with this production.
Besides Turandot, this year's Festival Mediterranea is also presenting a month-long programme of events running from October 20 to November 22.
Highlights include a live concert by Amadeo Minghi on November 1, classic music concerts, ballet and modern dance performances, jazz and band music, archaeology events, outings and seminars led by David Trump, art exhibitions, and Gozitan food and wine.
A list of events is available at www.mediterranea.com.mt. For tickets call 2155 0985 or book through bookings@mediterranea.com.mt.
Turandot tickets are also available from the Gozo Information Office in Valletta by calling 2122 7313 or at Anthony D'Amato Music Shop in St John Street, Valletta, on 2123 4348.