Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/753405
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2016 39 This Week Carmen in the Heart of Strait Street this November AN adaptation of one of the most popular operas, Bizet's Carmen, is making its way from the theatre stage to the heart of Strait Street on November 24 at 20:30. The popular opera, which deals with actions fuelled by jealousy and their aftermath, is being organised by the Strada Stretta Concept – a strand of the Val- letta 2018 Foundation's cultural programme. Valletta 2018 Chairman Jason Micallef said, "Strada Stretta Concept has become established as an integral part of the regen- eration taking place in Strait Street. The diverse programme of high quality events is at a very interesting stage and will inten- sify as from January when Malta will be hosting the EU Presiden- cy in 2017 and in the following months leading us to, and during 2018 when Valletta will be wit- nessing highly participative cul- tural projects all year round". The Carmen production was adapted by Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci and is being directed and produced by Schembri Bonaci – who also serves as the overall Artistic Director for the Strada Stretta Concept. It will feature the opera's original music and li- bretto while the score was adapt- ed by Gjorgji Cincievski. Maltese folk singers (għannejja) will be the narrators in the production taking place outside and inside Splendid. The artistic director for Stra- da Stretta Concept Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci said "Carmen has been transported from the theatre to the street and into the community. We promise a fun experience for audience mem- bers to enjoy opera in a contem- porary setting." Following Carmen, the next event in the Strada Stretta calen- dar includes a classical baroque concert taking place at Loop Bar on December 1 at 20:30 as part of the Malta International Organ Festival. Another performance, 'Li Bqajna', set for December 19, includes dance, original music by Mariella Cassar-Cordina with narration and audio-visual work by artist Carmen Aquilina. Details from events from next year's programme were also an- nounced with events taking place in the street every few weeks. Among these is the con- cert 'Bibized Bach', planned for January, which incorporates a fusion of percussion, piano and baroque elements, followed by an evening dedicated to Ru- zar Briffa, in collaboration with l-Għaqda tal-Malti – Università and Akkademja tal-Malti. Other events planned for the year 2017 includes Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci's translation of Dario Fo's Mistero Buffo with Maltese folk singers and Mario Pirovano; a concert, film and symposium dedicated to Clock- work Orange author Anthony Burgess; an Ethiopian-themed evening in Strada Stretta; a the- atrical performace titled 'Star of Strait Street' about Christina Ratcliffe, a singer and dancer at The Morning Star in Valletta, featuring Polly March; as well as an adaptation of Puccini's Turandot. Strait Street – 2017 Programme Highlights January – A fusion of percussion, piano and baroque elements Ruzar Briffa Evening, in collaboration with l-Ghaqda tal-Malti – Università and Akkademja tal-Malti February – Solo concert by mezzo soprano Clare Ghigo March – Dario Fo's Mistero Buffo with Maltese folk singers and Mario Pirovano Star of Strait Street - A theatrical performace about Christina Ratcliffe - singer and dancer at The Morning Star in Valletta, featuring Polly March April - A concert, film and symposium dedicated to Clockwork Orange author Anthony Burgess An Ethiopian-themed exhibition and evening in Strada Stretta May – Lunchtime and evening jazz events with Sandro Zerafa and soprano Maryana Bodnar June – Katel Delia and the ghannejja from Zejtun July – Tom Armitage & Jess Rymer – Classical Concert October – Talk on Emvin Cremona November – Turandot December – Conference on the links between Preca and Passmore Dates are subject to change Strada Stretta Concept Artistic Director Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci (left) and Valletta 2018 Foundation Chairman Jason Micallef Paintings and Maltese proverbs in aid of charity 12 painters team up with Maltese- language social media page Kelma Kelma for a calendar and auction in aid of Inspire TWELVE artists created an origi- nal work of art to represent a par- ticular month of the year, and to accompany a traditional Maltese proverb provided by KelmaKelma in aid of the Inspire Foundation. The paintings were donated to Inspire and are featured in a 2017 Calendar that's being sold to help the Foundation's ongoing work. The 12-page, A5 hanging or desk calendar can be purchased on line through Inspire's website for €6.50 which includes postage to Malta and Gozo. The 12 original works are also up for auction and are being sold to raise funds for Inspire. An exhibi- tion of the paintings is being held at Hilltop Gardens in Triq L-Ink- wina, Naxxar until December 3. During this time the online auc- tion will also be open for bidding. The featured artists include Marisa Attard, Steve Bonello, Ġorg Mallia, Debbie Caruana Dingli, Nadine Noko, C.S. Law- rence, Mark Scicluna, Moira Zah- ra Scicluna, Saviour Baldacchino, Berivan Serin, Sam Degaetano and Hayley Acreman. To purchase the calendar or to view the works on auction visit www.inspire.org.mt