Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1206972
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 FEBRUARY 2020 6 CULTURE Book Review Damask By Rita Saliba IN this new collection of short stories Rita Saliba captures the essence of daily life. We're taken to places we might have visit- ed before, to others you might rather not be in, but which you are drawn in to explore. Moments of change, chance encounters, the twist of fate that leads a person to a new way of thinking or being. These stories are woven to form a radiant indelible portrait of just how dangerous and strange ordinary life can be. Damask is published by Horizons, and is available from leading bookshops FORT St Angelo as we know it today is much different from how it looked in medieval times when it was known as the Cas- trum Maris (Castle by the Sea). Historical documents shed light about some aspects of this period, including details of weapons and supplies that were used in the castle. Today, Heritage Malta will be hosting a medieval re-en- actment by the Historical Re-enactment Group Malta (HRGM) with the theme 'As- pects of the Castrum Maris' at Fort St Angelo in Birgu. Between 10am to 4pm, the general public is invited to attend at the fort where re-enactors will be portray- ing clothing and weaponry of soldiers stationed in the Cas- trum Maris around the year 1400. Regular admission tick- et prices apply. On the same occasion, at 10am, a Curator's Tour of Upper Fort St Angelo (ad- ministered by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta) will focus on the medieval history of the fort with a particular focus on the historical fabric found within the area, which dates from the Middle Ag- es, including the Castellan's House, St Anne's Chapel and the Round Tower. Ticket prices for this tour: Adults - €15, Seniors and Students – €10, Children – €8. For more information, vis- it www.heritagemalta.org Life in the Castrum Maris A masterclass unprecedented in Mal- ta, organised by Teatru Manoel, will be held on the public holiday of Mon- day 10 February led legendary soprano Mariella Devia. Open to the general public, audiences have a unique op- portunity to see the a professional- ly acclaimed icon of the opera world imparting valuable knowledge as she mentors two groups of opera singers. Artistic Director Kenneth Zammit Tabona maintains that masterclasses in the arts are an essential compo- nent to achieving perfection espe- cially in opera. More masterclasses in other disciplines are planned soon. Mariella Devia in considered to be one of the supreme bel canto inter- preters of the late 20th century. Hav- ing debuted in the title role of "Lucia di Lammermoor" in 1973 she then went on to performing in all major theatres around Europe, eventually making her debut at the Teatro alla Scala in 1987. She went on to per- forming in the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House amongst many other prestigious halls. A consum- mate bel canto interpreter, Devia is legendary for her work centering around Donizetti, Rossini and Bell- ini. In 2019 she gave her farewell per- formance with Norma, at the Teatro La Fenice. Since her farewell perfor- mance she has now decided to dedi- cate her time to teaching. The first masterclass will be held at 11am with the cast of Teatru Manoel's highly anticipated March Opera Otel- lo whilst the second masterclass will be at 6.30pm focusing on Rossini pieces with other Opera singers. The general public is invited to attend as it will surely be fascinating to observe what goes into the supreme queen of the arts: opera! Tickets for this event cost €10 for both sessions and may be booked by logging on to www. teatrumanoel.mt or by sending an email to bookings.mt@teatruma- noel.mt or by calling 21246389. Opera legend Mariella Devia to grace the Teatru Manoel main stage