Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534722
7 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 APRIL 2025 CULTURE A 10-year wait for Nabucco SINCE 2014, Gaulitana: A Fes- tival of Music has presented full-scale operatic productions as part of the artistic endeavour, garnering international acclaim as "a major festival of classical music" by British magazine Mu- sical Opinion. Coincidentally, the same year marked the last staging of the opera Nabucco in Malta. Following on last year's "success- ful" La Bohème, defined as "un colpo di fulmine" by OperaClick, this ever-popular oeuvre will now be produced again as the highlight event for the 18th festival edition. Defined by the composer himself as "the true beginning of my artis- tic career", opera buffs are invited to immerse themselves in this dra- matic masterpiece after a 10-year absence. Based on the biblical books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, Lamentation and Daniel as well as on the 1836 play by Anicet-Bourgeois and Cornu, Nabucodonosor is rich in grand choruses and gorgeous melodies intertwining politics and religious undertones, and immortalised in "Va Pensiero, sull'ali dorate". Defined as a "worthy heir to Renato Bruson and Leo Nucci", Dimitris Tiliakos interprets the title role – following on successful appearances in prestigious thea- tres including Stuttgart, Zurich, Royal Opera House (London) and the Metropolitan (New York). He is flanked by a stellar cast fea- turing Rebeka Lokar as Abigaille, in a role she originally debuted at the Arena di Verona. The revered role of Zaccaria shall be performed by Mattia Denti, acclaimed as "an authentic revelation" for his ren- dition of the role alongside Leo Nucci. The main roles are complement- ed by a number of international artists including Carmen Topciu, reprising the role Fenena per- formed in Verona alongside Lokar and in Naples, as well as Franc- esco Leone and Filippo Micale, marking their return to Gozo af- ter their appearances in Aida and Norma respectively. Additionally, locally-based so- prano Andriana Yordanova sings Anna after her scenes from La Forza del Destino and Il Trova- tore for the Gaulitana's Viva Ver- di and Viva l'Opera virtual series, whilst that Alan Sciberras follows on his much-lauded Gastone in La Traviata (2023) with the leading tenor part, Ismaele. The production shall be directed once again by Enrico Castiglione, a staple figure at the Teatro Anti- co di Taormina who established a creative rapport with Gaulitana and local audiences over the years. The Malta Philharmonic Or- chestra and the Gaulitanus Choir feature as well, in a performance with English surtitles conducted by Festival Artistic Director Colin Attard. The event, preceded by a Pre-Opera Talk from music critic Albert G. Storace, is an intrinsic part of the OPERA+ Weekend, a 3-day cultural bonanza of quality events bringing Gaulitana 2025 to a conclusion. The story of the fes- tival "pressed in ink to be heard" unravels throughout April with a multifarious programme. Nabucco will be held on Sat- urday 3 May at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora under the distinguished patronage of Her Excellency Myr- iam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta Gaulitana: A Festival of Mu- sic, organised by the Gaulitanus Choir, is principally supported by the Investment in Cultural Organ- isations – Gozo of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, partnered by Bank of Valletta, VisitMalta and APS Bank. Online booking is available on: www.teatruaurora.com or via the ticket helpline 7904 5779. An exclusive Shuttle Service for opera patrons will run following the 18:15hrs ferry with return after the opera for a nominal fee (pre-booking required).