Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1204548
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 JANUARY 2020 7 CULTURE THEATRE VERDI'S penultimate opera is no doubt one of the most dramatic, emotive and poignant in the operatic repertoire – a masterpiece of undisputed greatness. Yet, often, productions of Otello fail to enthuse due to the engagement of a tenor who is not perfectly suitable for the title role. Indeed, a heroic and dramatic tenor, who at the same time can carry on the ex- pressive lines which the role also requires, is often difficult to find. Gaulitana: A Festival of Music has made sure that for its forthcoming production of the Verdi Otello, the cast will include one of the world's most renowned tenors in the role, namely the Lithuanian Kris- tian Benedikt. The latter has built a rep- utation as one of the leading internation- al singers of Verdi's Otello, having sang this most demanding role more than 120 times. He has appeared at most of the world's greatest operatic stages, from New York's Metropolitan to London's Royal Opera Covent Garden and to Vienna's Staatsoper, performing under the baton of world-class conductors such as Antonio Pappano, Marco Armiliato, Marcello Votti, Ric- cardo Chailly, Maurizio Barbacini, Paolo Carigniani, Asher Fisch, Renato Palumbo, Valeri Gergiev, Alexander Vedernikov and with stage directors like Giancarlo del Mo- naco, Damiano Michieletto, Willy Decker, David Alden, Calixto Bieito, Hugo de Ana, Dmitri Bertman, Eimuntas Nekrošius and Pier Francesco Maestrini. It is very pertinent that for a decade Ben- edikt worked with famous Italian tenor Gianfranco Cecchele, paying special atten- tion to the Italian opera and taking over the vocal tradition of Mario del Monaco – arguably, the last real Otello. While Benedikt considers the role as his 'cavallo di battaglia', one which fits natu- rally his vocality and personality, this has also been acclaimed by the international critics. Thus Switzerland's Basellandschaftliche Zeitung opines that "Kristian Benedikt is an ideal Otello. The tenor is endowed with a powerful voice, precise range and bari- tonal depth, he poignantly embodies Otel- lo`s delusion, vulnerability and violence. He is virtually living Otello". Italy's Il Corriere della Sera states that "of course the effect is powered by the voice of a tenor as Kristian Benedikt (Otello) – beautiful colour, dark and powerful ring, which give extensive guarantees". Austria's Kleine Zeitung of Graz affirms that "engaging Kristian Benedikt proved to be a real gain. The Lithuanian has a dark-timbred Hel- dentenor that does not only belt out the "Esultate" with brilliant victory, but also lets us hear Otello's tortured soul. Ben- edikt is endowed with almost never-end- ing vocal resources, capable of enormously passionate attacks, recalling the legendary Ramón Vinay with his highly intensive, nervous outbursts of dark glowing sound… He uses his vocal powers to highlight cer- tain particular moments of the role, while often singing mezzoforte and piano to re- veal Otello's inner tremble." For the Gaulitana's Otello, Benedikt will be leading a cast made up of top interna- tional and Maltese singers, together with the Gaulitanus Choir. The Malta Philhar- monic Orchestra (leader: Marcelline Agi- us) will be in attendance under the baton of Gaulitana artistic director, Colin Attard. Enrico Castiglione will be the stage direc- tor. The opera, scheduled for Saturday, 25 April, 2020, will highlight the 14th edi- tion of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music – a month-long musical bonanza running be- tween 28 March and 26 April and present- ing daily events in several genres in various venues around Gozo. The operatic production itself is envel- oped within an intensive Opera+ Week- end which will conclude the festival. The festival is supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Programme of Arts Council Mal- ta and the Ministry for Gozo. The Gaulitana Otello forms part of an artistic collaboration with the Teatru Ma- noel which will also see the production of Shakespeare's drama later on in the year and Rossini's homonymous operatic ver- sion in March, both at the Manoel. The Gaulitana Verdi production is being held at the Aurora Theatre in Gozo. Book- ing is open online on www.tearuaurora. com or through the theatre's box office. In view of the Gaulitana-Manoel collabo- ration, a limited number of rebated tickets for both operatic productions can also be obtained from either theatre until 16 Feb- ruary. World-class tenor for Gaulitana's Otello CLARE Agius and Angele Galea are to star in Alfred Buttigieg's latest play L-Interrogazzjoni di- rected by power house Lee-N Abela. A comeback for celebrated author Buttigieg four years in the making and a return to the stage for actress and television favourite Agius; this two week- end long production definitely isn't one to miss. L-Interrogazzjoni is part gen- der-defying and part challeng- ing battle of wits. The hour long production will delve in- to the complex relationship of couple Martina and Stephanie rendered prisoners within the claustrophobic confines of their traumatic past. The wounds permeate deep, perhaps as deep as the love they share, fuelling Martina and Stephanie's obsession with one another to reach boiling point. Each show seats up to 45 audi- ence members only. The privi- leged few will be invited to a pri- vate residence in Gharghur. Yes that's right, no stage just a house and a living room and you're invited. If you were wondering what the address is, then let the suspense build, but hold your mobile phones close because Teatru Malta will be letting tick- et buyers know that very soon! What more? The host is invit- ing audiences to a special edition of L-Interrogazzjoni for Val- entine's day which will include the show, a post show Taħdita Teatru with the cast, director, writer and special guests over a special menu prepared by the host and free flowing wine! Fan- cy doing something different than your usual dinner for two, then get booking those tickets. L-Interrogazzjoni is strict- ly 16+ and opens on the 7th of February. Show will run until the 16th of February. Tickets are €18 (full) /€15 (concession) for all nights and €30 on Valne- tine's day. To book your tickets visit Kultura.mt or call Teatru Malta on 21220255 for more in- formation. Clare Agius and Angele Galea to star in L-Interrogazzjoni Kristian Benedikt