Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1541494
10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 21 NOVEMBER 2025 CULTURE La Traviata, Carmen, two operas for two Golden Jubilees at Gozo's Aurora GOZO'S iconic Teatru tal-Opra Aurora has announced not one, but two major opera productions to mark a pair of historic mile- stones — the 50th anniversary of the Aurora Theatre in 2026, and 50 years of opera in Gozo in 2027. These twin celebrations will honour two intertwined sto- ries: that of a theatre that helped shape Gozo's cultural landscape, and of an island that embraced opera as part of its soul. A Tale of two anniversaries The story begins with the orig- inal Aurora Theatre, affection- ately remembered as L-Aurora l-qadim (the old Aurora). Built in just nine months between 1962 and 1963, the 500-seat cinema stood on the site of the former Royal Talkies. In 1971, the Leone Philharmonic Society, owner of the old Aurora, acquired a state- ly property from the heirs of Dr Hector Tabone and embarked on what was then Gozo's most ambitious cultural project. Five years later, on a rainy 9th Octo- ber 1976, the magnificent Auro- ra Opera House officially opened its doors. With seating for 1,600 patrons, it became the proud home of the Leone Philharmonic Society and a new beacon of ar- tistic life in Gozo. Joseph Sam- mut conducted the opening con- cert, only to write history a few months later the first-ever opera performed in Gozo; Madama Butterfly on 7th and 8th January 1977; hence the two golden jubi- lees in 2026 and 2027. Two operas, two years To commemorate these mile- stones, the Aurora is presenting two beloved operas: Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata on 17th Oc- tober 2026, followed by Georges Bizet's Carmen on 16th October 2027. This was announced by the Theatre on 1st November as the Leone Band presented its annu- al symphonic concert, this year entitled: VERDI! Overtures and Preludes to a large audience. On the surface, La Traviata ap- pears to offer the familiar temp- tation to lift one's glass and belt out the Brindisi with carefree abandon. But if one carefully seeks an opera worthy of a jubi- lee, none actually surpasses La Traviata. "La Traviata is an opera that transcends time," the organ- isers said. "Beneath its glittering parties and jubilant toasts lies a deeply human tale — a fitting metaphor for the Aurora's journey: beauty, resilience, and emotion that endure across generations." Then in 2027, Aurora welcomes back one of its most beloved productions — Bizet's Carmen. Known for its fiery spirit, unforget- table melodies and tragic ending, Carmen has a spe- cial place in the theatre's history, having been per- formed to great acclaim in 1988, 2000, 2010 and 2016. While La Traviata is symbolised by Violetta's delicate white camellia, Carmen brings her own red flower — burning with pas- sion and defiance. Hence the "flowered manifesto" for Au- rora's biennial celebration: La Traviata 2026 and Carmen 2027. Starting with La Traviata 2026 Colin Attard will conduct La Traviata, leading the Malta Phil- harmonic Orchestra and the Au- rora Opera Chorus, ensuring the high standards that have defined Aurora's productions over the past five decades. For La Travi- ata, not only tickets, with a 10% early-bird offer have been issued, but also complementing options of Premium Boxes with cham- pagnes and butler service, and a limited number of exclusive vin d'honneur reception tokens offering access to an elegant in- terval reception with wines and canapes in the 20th century fres- coed drawing room of the Auro- ra. Both La Traviata 2026 and Carmen 2027 are being sup- ported by Arts Council Malta in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning through the Investment in Cultural Or- ganisations Gozo programme, with the generous sponsorship of Bank of Valletta. For full de- tails, visit www.teatruaurora. com A poster of La Traviata performed in 1720 in Italy