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6 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 28 MARCH 2025 CULTURE Strings Resound: An eclectic concert for string orchestra on Freedom Day 18th edition of Gozo's classical music festival 'Gaulitana' returns in April UNDER the musical direction of Pierre Louis Attard, Strings Resound presents an eclectic concert for string orchestra, blending the elegiac tones of the Lenten period with more festive ones. On the occasion of Freedom Day, the programme also in- cludes works by Maltese com- posers, namely Charles Camill- eri and Carmelo Pace. These will be performed alongside popular classics such as Albinoni-Giazzotto's 'Ada- gio' and Jenkins' Concerto Grosso 'Palladio'. The concert, taking place on Monday, 31 March at 7.45pm in Ghajnsielem Old Parish Church, Gozo, is supported by the Cultural Heritage Direc- torate within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, as well as the Ghajnsielem Local Council. Entrance is free of charge. Strings Resound is under the musical direction of Pierre Louis Attard (inset) GAULITANA: A Festival of Music returns in April, unravel- ling the stories pressed in ink to be heard around Gozo. "A major festival of classical music" (Musical Opinion UK), the 18th edition presents a mul- tifarious programme of events seeking to enrich Gozo's cultural output in the leaner months of the year. This year's festival cel- ebrates the late Stephen Attard, a pioneering figure in Gozitan artistic circles and a staple pres- ence within the festival. The annual springtime en- deavour runs over ive weeks in various localities around Gozo with an exciting line-up of in- ternational and local artists. Starring an array of performers from period instrumentalists to contemporary music promoters, the programme reflects the festi- val ethos of quality as the eclec- tic mix of musical styles include traditional and folk music as well as art songs alongside major clas- sical oeuvres from around the globe. The opening concert with so- prano Nicola Said and the Gauli- tanus Choir features music from four generations of the Vella-At- tard family, including the pre- miere of Stephen Attard's final artistic contribution – his revised version of Quddiesa Madonna Ta' Pinu. Other notable events in the month-long cultural bonanza in- clude a complete cycle of Brahms cello sonatas, Spanish and Ital- ian-themed programmes apart from a programme of chamber works composed by Stephen At- tard. Gaulitana broadens its multi-di- mensionality during Holy Week with the 1903 silent movie La Vie et La Passion de Jésus Christ as Stefano Vagnini performs organ improvisation on Lenten hymns. Additionally, the exhibition 19th Century Music Printing in Mal- ta, launched on April 5 and open throughout the festival, showcas- es rare music covers printed lo- cally by the Brocktorff family of artists. In parallel, the education- al programme GAULearn is pre- sented in schools around Gozo as the festival aspires to kindle creativity amongst younger audi- ences and aficionados alike. Gaulitana is once again high- lighted by a full-scale operatic production, as Verdi's Nabuc- co shall be held at Teatru tal- Opra Aurora on May 3, after an absence of 10 years from local shores. Acknowledged by the composer himself as "the true beginning of my artistic career", the ever-popular work is direct- ed by Enrico Castiglione under the baton of Colin Attard with a star-studded international cast, the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. The opera is held as part of the OPERA+ Weekend - three days of quality events bringing this year's story to a fitting conclu- sion with the Finale featuring the Gaulitanus String Orchestra. Gaulitana: A Festival of Mu- sic, organised by the Gaulitanus Choir, is principally supported by the Investment in Cultural Organisations – Gozo of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo & Planning, and part- nered by Bank of Valletta, Visit- Malta and APS Bank. Gaulitana runs from 5 April to 4 May. Festival events are free of charge and no reservations are required. Booking for Nabucco is available on www.teatruauro- ra.com or via the ticket helpline 7904 5779.