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8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 20 MARCH 2026 CULTURE The Voice of Gaulitana 2026 GAULITANA: A Festival of Music returns for its 19th edi- tion, lending a voice to music! Defined as "a major festival of classical music"(Musical Opin- ion UK), the annual springtime endeavour presents a multi- farious programme of events seeking to enrich Gozo's cul- tural output. Held in multi- ple venues around the island, international and local artists star as the month-long cultural bonanza seeks to engage with aficionados and new audiences alike. The 2026 festival includes a focus on choral performances as the Silesian Chamber Choir Ad Libitum commence pro- ceedings with 3 events, inter- preting Fauré's Requiem and Mozart's Coronation Mass as well as a concert of Pol- ish a capella oeuvres. For the Opening Concert, the Polish ensemble joins forces with the Gaulitanus Choir in a choral double-bill ushering audiences into Holy Week. 5 weeks later, the New Hampshire Friend- ship Chorus open the OPERA+ Weekend in style, setting the tone for three days of musical excellence brining the festival to an end. Other notable events at Gau- litana include an Easter Sunday salon evening with Ivor Novel- lo, and a showcase concert by the Opera Nova Project. The eclectic mix of musical styles is further reflected in the cham- ber formations presented, from saxophone&piano to voice&- guitar, from violin&piano to solo mandolin, in addition to a cello duo concert interspersing Baroque sonatas with Easter- tide readings commissioned for the occasion. The wide-encom- passing calendar is mirrored in the works performed, including a number of premieres such as a hymn by Pierre Louis Attard marking 800 years from the passing of St Francis of Assisi. In parallel, the educational pro- gramme GAULearn is present- ed in schools, kindling Gozo's cultural ecology through musi- cal awareness sessions and the #opera4me project. This edition marks the 10th opera at Gaulitana as the festi- val celebrates the 125th death anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi with the highlight event – Il Trovatore. The full-scale pro- duction of this masterpiece imbued with melodies and vo- cal fireworks features a star- studded international cast, the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra stage directed by Enrico Cas- tiglione under the baton of Colin Attard. Gaulitana: A Festival of Mu- sic, organised by the Gaulita- nus Choir, is principally sup- ported by the Investment in Cultural Organisations – Gozo of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo & Planning, and partnered by Bank of Val- letta Foundation, VisitMalta and APS Bank. Gaulitana runs from 28 March to 26 April. Festival events are free of charge and no reservations are required. Booking for Il Trovatore is available on www.teatru- aurora.com or via the ticket helpline 7904 5779. The 2026 festival includes a focus on choral performances as the Silesian Chamber Choir Ad Libitum commence proceedings with 3 events, interpreting Fauré's Requiem and Mozart's Coronation Mass as well as a concert of Polish a capella oeuvres