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10 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 16 OCTOBER 2026 CULTURE What's in store this opera AS summer gives way to autumn and the pace of the island begins to shift, Gozo's cultural calendar enters one of its most anticipat- ed periods. In October, Gozo's historic theatres come to life to host two major operas, welcom- ing both seasoned opera lovers and visitors interested in expe- riencing opera for the first time. Opera has become an estab- lished part of October in Gozo, with a tradition that has been growing for almost half a centu- ry. Rooted in Victoria's rich mu- sical heritage and its band clubs, what began as a local cultural tradition has developed over the years into a much-anticipated part of Gozo's cultural calendar, attracting audiences from both the mainland and abroad. This year's season will com- mence with the Ewfonija Grand Operatic Concert at Villa Fiorita on 4 October. The programme continues on 8 October with a piano recital at Aula Mgr. G. Farrugia in Victoria, featuring works by composers such as Ver- di and Wagner. On 11 October, Teatru Astra will host Showcas- ing Tomorrow's Performers. Up next is Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata at Teatru tal-Opra Aurora on 17 October 2026, fol- lowed by The Scenographer's Opera, an exhibition celebrating Joseph Cauchi's 30-year journey as an opera scenographer, from 18 to 21 October. The season will then close with Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly at Teatru Astra on 29 and 31 Oc- tober 2026. At the heart of this year's opera season are the two grand operas. Verdi's La Traviata, which will be performed in Italian and English, tells the tragic story of Violetta Valéry, a Parisian cour- tesan who falls in love with Al- fredo Germont. Based on Alex- andre Dumas fils' La Dame aux Camélias, the opera explores love, sacrifice, illness and social expectations, combining lavish scenes with a deeply emotion- al story that remains one of the most celebrated works in the op- eratic repertoire. Later in October, the spotlight moves to Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Set in Japan, Madama Butterfly follows Cio- Cio-San, a young Japanese wom- an who marries American naval officer B. F. Pinkerton. Their re- lationship becomes a tragic story of love, cultural misunderstand- ing and abandonment, beauti- fully captured through Puccini's emotional score. Among the opera's most famous moments is "Un bel dì vedremo", Cio-Cio- San's poignant aria expressing her hope that Pinkerton will one day return. For visitors, October 2026 of- fers the chance to experience something that is difficult to find elsewhere: two major opera houses presenting two different Opera Nabucco, Gozo 2014 (Photo: Joe Attard) October