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9 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 10 APRIL 2026 MUSIC Gaulitana celebrates Verdi THE 2026 edition of Gaulitana pays homage to Giuseppe Verdi as commemorations around the world tribute the 125th death an- niversary of Italian opera master. Aptly, the festival joins the cele- bratory chorus with Il Trovatore, one of his artistic masterpiec- es, commencing his "victorious march throughout the operatic world". Inspired by Antonio García Gutiérrez's 1836 Spanish play and stretching the dramatic possibilities of the plot to its ex- treme, the over-arching themes of love, revenge and mistaken identity connect the musical feast of melodies and vocal fire- works. Marking a pinnacle in Verdi's creativity, the oeuvre was composed along with Rigoletto and La Traviata over a 3-year pe- riod. The works completing this "trilogia popolare" were present- ed by Gaulitana in 2015 & 2023 respectively. Received to positive acclaim, festival productions most recent- ly for "a Nabucco to remember", have become the pinnacle of the annual springtime festival, high- lighting the OPERA+ Weekend, 3 days of cultural bonanza bring- ing the festival to an end. In parallel, during the pandem- ic-forced performances hiatus, the virtual opera series Viva Ver- di garnered over 210,000 views online. A star-studded cast features for this 10th opera in the annals of Gaulitana. Marco Berti (Man- rico), boasting a stellar career in major opera houses around the world is rivalled by Mario Cassi (Conte di Luna), a regular fixture in prestigious theatres around the world, interpreting a role "most dear" to him. Francesca Dotto (Leonora), reprises the role interpreted at La Fenice as Verdian specialist Silvia Beltra- mi (Azucena) mesmerizes in the character performed in Venice and Rome. As Gaulitana remains at the forefront in promoting Mal- tese artists, the line-up includes young tenor Giosuè Agius sing- ing Ruiz as Clare Ghigo returns to Gaulitana as Ines after her appearance in Manon Lescaut. They are complemented by Dey- an Vatchkov, leading the troops as Ferrando. Il Trovatore shall be held on Saturday 25 April at Teatru tal- Opra Aurora with the Gaulita- nus Choir and the Malta Phil- harmonic Orchestra under the baton of Colin Attard with stage direction by Enrico Castiglione. An exclusive Shuttle Service for opera patrons will run following the 18:15hrs ferry with return after the opera (pre-booking is required). Gaulitana: A Festival of Music is organised by the Gaulitanus Choir, is principally supported by the Investment in Cultural Or- ganisations – Gozo of Arts Coun- cil Malta and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, partnered by the Bank of Valletta Foundation, VisitMalta and APS Bank. Gaulitana 2026 runs from March 28 to April 26, present- ing a multifarious programme of events around Gozo. Festival events are free of charge and no reservations are required. Il Trovatore Bookings: www. teatruaurora.com / 7904 5779 / www.gaulitanus.com Il Trovatore shall be held on Saturday 25 April at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora with the Gaulitanus Choir and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Colin Attard with stage direction by Enrico Castiglione