Melodrama in Three Acts

Music: Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

World Premiere: Teatro , Venice, 6 March 1853 First performance in Malta: Teatro Manoel, Valletta, 1 October 1855

Violetta Valéry, a courtesan Miriam Cauchi Alfredo Germont Giulio Pelligra Giorgio Germont, his father Maxim Aniskin Flora Bervoix Oana Andra Annina, Violetta’s maid Dorienne Portelli Gastone, Alfredo’ friend Frans Mangion Barone Douphol Louis Andrew Cassar Marchese d’Obigny Alberto Munafò Siracusa Dottore Grenvil Riccardo Bosco Giuseppe, Violetta’s servant Federico Parisi Servo di Flora Mario Portelli Commissioner Marco Tinnirello

Friends of Violetta and Flora; picadors and gypsies; servants of Violetta and Flora; maskers. Beginning of the 18th century. Paris and its vicinity.

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Teatru Astra Chorus in collaboration with Coro Lirico Siciliano

Conductor: Philip Walsh Artistic Director: Enrico Stinchelli

Orchestra Leader Maria Conrad Scenography Joseph Cauchi Chorus Instructors Maria Frendo Assistant Scenographer Andrew Portelli Francesco Costa Costumes Arrigo Costumi Stage Managers Carmel Zammit Sartoria Pipi Johnny Micallef Manuel Grima Bradley Xuereb George Farrugia Andrew Portelli Lights George Zammit Assistant Directors Angie Bizimoska Nexos Maria Selene Farinelli Juan Vella Production Assistants George Camilleri Projections MAV Multimedia George P Cassar Ismael Portelli Giulia Mandruzzato Choreography Felix Busuttil Rehearsal Pianist Christian Maggio

Mediterranea 2018

Enrico Stinchelli Artistic Director

Rome-born Enrico Stinchelli is the author and conductor of what has become the most established and respected programme on RAI Radio-Tre, La Barcaccia, dealing with anything that has got to do with the opera world. The much sought-after programme, on air without fail since 1983, has attained ‘cult’ status in Italy and beyond.

A universally acknowledged expert in the field, Enrico Stinchelli has a wide network of contacts and huge expertise. His impressive baggage includes intense opera related activity all over Italy, and beyond, working closely with the top professionals in the opera world. He has been assistant and consultant with various significant directors, such as Comencini, among others. His repertoire includes the major titles from the Baroque to the verismo.

His ouvre has gained widespread critical acclaim and several prestigious prizes.

Philip Walsh Conductor

British conductor Philip Walsh is the artistic director of the French opera festival Lyrique-en-mer, on Belle-Ile in Brittany, for whom he has conducted over 170 performances, including , Così fan tutte, , Falstaff, , La Cenerentola, Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, Dido and Aeneas, Acis and Galatea, Die Zauberflöte, , Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Orphée et Eurydice, , Le Nozze di Figaro, La Traviata, L’Elisir d’amore, I and Gianni Schicchi as well as Bach’s St John Passion, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Creation. He made his debut at La Fenice in Venice conducting ’s production of Thomas Ades’ opera Powder her Face. Other appearances in Italy have included the Teatro Comunale di Bologna and the Lugo Opera Festival, and he is a regular guest conductor of the Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini, having appeared with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet in concerts in Parma, Modena and Ferrara, and with jazz legend Dee Dee Bridgewater in the Jazz Festival. Born in Southampton, England, Philip studied piano and organ and went on to study music at Cambridge University as organ scholar of Queens’ College, where his organ teacher was the renowned Bach specialist Peter Hurford. After graduating he spent a number of years in New Zealand, where he was a regular guest conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the Orpheus Choir, performing works such as Stravinsky’s Les Noces, Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Tippet A child of our time, Bach’s Mass in B minor, and the Verdi Requiem. In Europe he has worked for L’Opéra de Metz, l’Opéra de Bordeaux, English Touring Opera, Almeida Opera, London, and the Aldeburgh Festival. He made his Spanish debut conducting Don Giovanni for Opera en Vigo. Orchestras he has conducted include the London Sinfonietta, the City Chamber Orchestra, Hong Kong, Orchestra del Teatro La Fenice, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale, Bologna, l’Orchestre National de Lorraine, RTS Symphony Orchestra, Belgrade, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In Malta he has conducted Teatru Manoel’s productions of L’Elisir d’amore, Orphée et Euridice, Le Nozze di Figaro, and Don Giovanni, and returns in 2019 for Così fan tutte. He also conducted the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in the opening and closing concerts of the Victoria International Arts Festival 2018. He will be returning to VIAF in 2019. He is a passionate advocate of new music and has commissioned and conducted numerous premiere performances.

33 La Traviata

Miriam Cauchi Violetta (Soprano)

Critically acclaimed as “soprano lirico di bello spessore vocale e di grande intensità (Andrea Merli Jesi, Opera Actual), and as having “a beautiful clear and very expressive voice which she uses expertly and to the best advantage” (Albert Storace Times of Malta), Maltese soprano Miriam Cauchi is a household name and has performed extensively in most of the important opera productions and concerts happening locally over the past 25 years.

Miriam has been a regular soloist at Teatru Astra, Teatru Aurora, Teatru Manoel, Mediterranean Conference Centre, St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Victoria International Arts Festival (Malta) and with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. International venues include Konzerthaus, Festival-Mitte-Europa (Germany), Maribor National Theatre (Slovenia), Varna Theatre, Provadia Theatre, National Palace of Culture-NDK (Bulgaria), Tabor Theatre (Czech Republic), Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center (New York), as well as in Portugal. She has also shared the stage in main operatic roles with world-renowned singers like Maria Guleghina, Francesca Patanè, Joseph Calleja, Badri Maisuradze, and others. She has worked with international conductors Lior Shambadal, Eric Hull, Steven Mercurio, Hans- Peter Hofmann, David Svec, Ivan Vulpe, Michalis Economou, Joseph Vella, Philip Walsh, Brian Schembri and directors Mario Corradi and Marco Gandini.

Operas performed to critical acclaim include L’Elisir d’Amore (Adina), (Oscar), Pagliacci (Nedda), Le Villi (Anna), (Suor Angelica), (Liù), La Bohème (Mimi), Rigoletto (Gilda), La Traviata (Violetta) and Otello (Desdemona). She has successfully performed sacred, orchestral and chamber works, including Handel’s Messiah, the Stabat Mater by Rossini, Abos and Pergolesi, Mozart’s Mass in C, Vassallo’s Requiem, Camilleri’s Pawlu ta’ Malta, Lloyd Weber’s Requiem, Strauss’ Vier Letzte, Berg’s Sieben Frühe Lieder and Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5. She also premiered Joseph Vella’s Dust on the Path orchestra cycle and Alex Vella Gregory’s song cycle Mill-Qamar sal-Qabar. Both compositions were composed with her voice in mind.

After graduating in 1997 with full honours from the Sofia State Music Academy “Panchio Vladigerov” in Bulgaria under the tuition of Prof Blogovesta Dobreva, she furthered her studies with Juliette Bisazza Zanni and Magda Olivero. She is also the recipient of the Gheorghi Slatev Cherkin Competition and the Bulgarian XIV National Competition Svetoslav Obretenov. Miriam is a major ambassador of Maltese vocal music and has recorded important compositions by Abos, Camilleri, Diacono, Isouard, Vassallo, Vella and Zerafa. Her latest CD (Miriam Cauchi, Riflessi – Art Songs from Malta) was recorded with the main intention of promoting and nurturing the love for Maltese art songs. Recordings from the CD are being included in a Maltese text book used in our primary schools, thus promoting Maltese cultural heritage.

She has at heart the educational aspect of singing and performing, and is enthusiastic in her work with young promising singers, coaching them in their development and careers. She has held the post of voice tutor at Malta School of Music, which is Malta’s main music institution, since 1999. In 2013, she was invited to be the principal voice tutor of the Manoel Theatre Youth Opera (TMYO) within the Toi Toi educational programme, a post she held until June 2018. In the same year, Miriam was the artistic co-ordinator of first edition of Singer Artistic Tool Box 2018, a course held by the Malta School of Music’s voice department, aimed at classical voice singers interested in furthering their holistic skills on stage.

On the 13th of December 2009, Miriam Cauchi was awarded the National Order of Merit (M.O.M.), an honour conferred by the President of Malta upon citizens who distinguish themselves in their respective fields. www. miriamcauchi.com

34 Mediterranea 2018

Giulio Pelligra Alfredo Germont (Tenor)

Giulio Pelligra is one of the emerging Italian tenors of the younger generation. Born in , he debuted in Puccini’s La Petite Messe Solennelle and in Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia in 2006.

His mellow, ringing vocal tones enable to sing leading roles in the bel canto tradition of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini. Despite his young age, Giulio has already sung in such important venues as the Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, Teatro Filarmonico, Verona, Grand Théâtre, Genève, Rossini in the Wildbad Festival at the Landestheater, Bregenz, , , Teatro Bellini, Catania, Teatro Lirico, , Teatro Petruzzelli, Bari, Teatro Coccia, Novara, Teatro Grande, Brescia, and many more, performing with such conductors as Roberto Abbado, Asher Fisch, Antonino Fogliani, Renato Palumbo, Stefano Ranzani, and Donato Renzetti.

Among noteworthy interpretations one finds the roles of Maometto II in Rossini’s opera of that nameat Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, Ernesto in Don Pasquale in Basel, Alfredo in La traviata at Teatro Sociale, Como and at Luglio Musicale Trapanese, Ismaele in , and Arturo in at Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore at Landestheater, Bregenz, Teatro Municipale, Piacenza, and Teatro Municipale, Bolzano, Rodolfo in La bohème at Grand Théâtre, Genève, Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette at Teatro Verdi, Pisa, Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto and Alfredo in La traviata at Sarzana Opera Festival, Percy in and Lord Arturo Talbot in at Teatro Bellini, Catania.

Recent performances have seen him tackle roles as diverse as Alfredo in La traviata at the Terme di Caracalla and at the , , Ismaele in Nabucco at the Opera Royal de Wallonie de Liege and Theater Sankt Gallen, Leicester in in Düsseldorf and at the Gärtnerplatztheater, Munich, Gaston in at Theater Freiburg, Rossini’s Stabat Mater at the Bustan Festival, Beirut, the title role in Auber’s Fra Diavolo at Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Ghino degli Armieri in Donizetti’s Pia de Tolomei in Lucca, Livorno, and Pisa, Carlo in Linda di Chamounix, at the Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, and many others.

This is Giulio’s second appearance at Teatru Astra. After last year’s hugely successful debut in Gozo in the role of Edgardo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, we all look forward to his interpretation of Alfredo in La traviata.

Maxim Aniskin Giorgio Germont (Baritone) Maxim Aniskin graduated from the Moscow Musical Pedagogical Institute in 2006 and straightaway joined the Novosibirsk Theater of Opera and Ballet. He is also a regular guest soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and the Perm Opera Theatre.

Some of his recent and upcoming engagements include the interpretation of Renato in Un ballo in maschera, Robert in Iolanta, Mizgir in Snow Maiden (Bolshoi Theatre), Robert in Iolanta (, Aix-en-Provence Festival, Lyon, Novosibirsk), house debut as and Gryaznoy The Tsar›s Bride at Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile, Conte di Luna in (Shalyapin Festival in Kazan), Eletsky in The Queen of Spades, Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, the title role in Prince Igor (Novosibirsk), Giacomo in Giovanna d’Arco (Bonn), and his participation in Gala-concert of Dmitri Jurowski during XI International Christmas Art Festival (Novosibirsk), title role in Prince Igor with Dutch National Opera in .

Performances and recitals have taken Maxim Aniskin all over the world. He has sung the roles of Robert in Iolanta (Teatro Real Madrid, Perm), Marcello in La bohème, , Prince Yeletsky and Count Tomsky in The Queen of Spades (Bolshoi Theatre Moscow), Eugene Onegin, Prince Yeletsky and Count

35 La Traviata

Tomsky in The Queen of Spades, Escamillo in Carmen (Perm, Novosibirsk), Sharpless in Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, Rodrigo in Don Carlo, Scarpia in Tosca, Germont in La traviata, and Renato in Un ballo in maschera (Novosibirsk), Macbeth (Klagenfurt, Novosibirsk, Darmstadt), Rodrigo in Don Carlo, Prince Igor, Carlo Gerard in Andrea Chenier, Renato in Un ballo in maschera and Don Carlo in (Metropolitan Opera,), and Sir Riccardo in I puritani (Metropolitan Opera).

Oana Andra Flora Bervoix (Mezzo Soprano)

Oana Andra commenced her music studies in her native , starting violin performance at the prestigious George Enesco Music School. She took up singing at a later stage, very quickly proving herself a rising star in the world of opera. Her academic studies led to a doctorate with full honours. She further pursued master classes in both opera and chamber music with household names such as , Regine Crespin, Carlo Cossutta, and Sir Colin Davies.

Today, Oana is a firmly-established name on the international opera scene, having performed at the most prestigious venues such as Teatro La Fenice (Venice), Opera de Monte-Carlo (Monaco), Theatre Chatelet (Paris), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Alte Oper, Jahrhunderthalle, and Stadtische Buhnen (Frankfurt), and numerous others. She has collaborated with such legendary figures such as Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ruggero Raimondi, June Anderson, Renato Bruson, Inva Mula, Raul Gimenez, Mariana Nicolesco, Alexandru Badea, Elena Mosuc and a host of others.

She is also the recipient of no fewer than fifteen international prizes of Competitions such asARD (Munich), CIEM (Geneva), Julian Gayarre (Pamplona), IVC (‘s-Hertogenbosch), Queen Sonja (Oslo), International Opera Competition in Shizouka (Japan), Boris Christoff (Sofia), and others. Her astonishing versatility enables her to tackle both the mezzo-soprano and the lighter soprano repertoire and is considered a point of reference when it comes to roles such as those of Mozart, Rossini, and the bel canto ones of Donizetti and Bellini. Her Lieder recitals and concerts have also earned her glowing critical acclaim. She has numerous recordings to her credit, most notably by NDR (), and VARA (Hilversum), and has also recorded for Romanian National Broadcast.

Dorianne Portelli Annina (Soprano)

At a young age, Gozitan soprano Dorienne Portelli studied voice and music technique under the direction of mezzo-soprano Marie Therese Vassallo. She later on pursued her studies at the Gozo School of Music with Soprano Miriam Cauchi.

Ms Portelli has performed in several concerts mainly those organised by the Malta Cultural Institute, the Gozo Cultural Council and the Victoria Arts Festival, and as a chorist in operas held at the Astra Theatre, Gozo. She is one of the soloists of the renowned Laudate Pueri Choir of St George’s Basilica, Victoria, Gozo, and has performed a number of minor roles in operas at the Astra Theatre.

Ms Portelli is an Assistant Head at a local Church Secondary School and has recently obtained a Master in Counselling.

36 Mediterranea 2018

Frans Mangion Gastone (Tenor)

Frans Mangion commenced his vocal studies at the Johann Strauss School of Music under several tutors, furthering and consolidating his studies with master classes. He has performed extensively, most notably at St John‘s Co-Cathedral, both as a soloist and with well-known Maltese choirs. He has also taken part in numerous operas and operettas. His repertoire is wide-ranging, to include both sacred and secular works, apart from the more popular genre of Neapolitan songs.

Louis Andrew Cassar Barone Douphol (Baritone)

Louis Andrew Cassar is an active Maltese Baritone in the opera scene both locally and abroad. He has interpreted the roles of Alfio (Cavalleria Rusticana), Marcello (La Boheme) and Michele (Il Tabarro) in various theatres in Italy. Locally he has interpreted primary and secondary roles in Carmen (Escamilo), Britten’s Little Sweep, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Dido and Aeneas, Tosca, Turandot, as well as, Madame Butterfly and Nabucco, working alongside international stars Michele Crider, Juan Pons Carlo Colombara and Maria Guleghina. Louis made his debut as Schaunard in Puccini’s La Boheme at Teatru Astra in Gozo. Louis was a guest singer with TMYO in a concert featuring excerpts from Isouard’s operas under the baton of Mro Brian Schembri. In September 2016, Louis chosen to part of APS’s project in reviving Antonio Nani’s Requiem Mass with the Bulgerian Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Mro Joseph Vella. Later that year, he featured in the Joseph Calleja BOV foundation annual concert. In February 2017, Louis participated in a world premiere performance of Monsignor Marco Firisina’s Oratorio “Fino ai confine della terra”, during which he played St Paul and collaborated with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and with Monsignor Firisina himself. In October 2017, Louis played the role of Richard Firmin in the Grapevine’s production of The Phantom of the Opera. Earlier this year, he played the role of Mirani in the Maltese opera “Ahna Refugjati”, which premiered last August

Louis started his vocal studies with tenor Brian Cefai at the age of 13, studied in Italy under the tuition of Soprano Patrizia Morandini, and is currently under the coaching of Soprano Juliette Bizazza while following a course in vocal technique at Malta’s School of Music under the tuition of Soprano Miriam Cauchi.

Outside the opera world, Louis premiered a locally composed musical, Porn the Musical, which also made a hit at the Fringe festival in Scotland where Louis won ‘best voice’ award.

Mario Portelli Servo di Flora (Tenor)

Mario Portelli is from Victoria, Gozo. He started vocal studies at the Gozo School of Music and undertook various masterclasses with Prof. B.K. Dobreva. He has interpreted various leading roles in operattas and musicals such as Geisha, Merry Widow, Waltz from , Oliver Twist, My Fair Lady, Scarlet Pimpernell, Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. He has also interpreted minor roles in La Boheme, Turandot, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, Otello and Nabucco.

37 La Traviata

Maria Frendo Chorus Mistress

Maria Frendo is a well-known personality in music circles in Malta. She was elected Fellow of the London College of Music and Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London, for her success in the final examinations in singing and pianoforte performance respectively. As a soprano, she specialises in Renaissance, Early Baroque, and contemporary music. She is also sought after as accompanist, working particularly with singers. She has performed extensively across Europe and in North America. She has also been Choir Mistress of opera productions at Teatru Astra for the past thirty years, apart from sitting on important adjudicating panels in music competitions, both in Malta and abroad. As leader of the well-known Laudate Pueri Choir of St George’s Basilica, Victoria, Maria, together with her brother George, has been instrumental in steering the choir towards achieving a fine musical and aesthetic sensibility in the interpretation of sacred music. Together with the choir, she has performed in Malta, Italy, France, England and the USA, and 3 years ago in the Epiphany Mass with the Cappella Pontificia Sistina at St Peter’s Basilica, during which she sang the Responsorial Psalm. She has also recorded the first-ever song cycle in Maltese, Seħer (lyrics: Daniel Massa) by Malta’s leading composer Joseph Vella with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Other CDs to her credit include Maltese works from the Baroque period and contemporary ones by Joseph Vella. She also sat on the Board of Directors of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra for six years.

Apart from her musical interests, Maria also holds two Masters Degrees in English Literature and in Modern and Contemporary Literary Theory, which she passed with distinction from the University of Malta and the University of Durham respectively. Her Ph.D thesis on T.S. Eliot and the Music of Poetry earned her a summa cum laude from the University of Durham. Maria has a passion for combining her two major interests, namely music and literature, and she seeks to implement this inter-disciplinary approach in her writings. She has published on English poetry, the nineteenth-century opera libretto, and Shakespeare and Opera. She is a senior lecturer in English Literature at the University of Malta and a member of the editorial board of CounterText, a Literary Studies Journal published by Edinburgh University Press. She is also a member of the Futures of Literature Network at the University of Malta. In December 2012, Maria was appointed to the National Order of Merit by H.E. Dr George Abela, then President of Malta.

Francesco Costa Chorus Instructor

Francesco Costa is an opera singer, choirmaster, and composer, who currently holds the position of main choirmaster of the Coro Lirico Siciliano, of the Children’s Choir Pueri Cantores Maenarum, and of the Choir of the University of Messina. After studying opera singing and pianoforte, he pursued postgraduate study in opera performance with soprano Giovanna Collica.

He is an active composer in the field of sacred music, and has won several awards, including the Premio Internazionale Sicilia Il Paladino (40th edition), the prize of the Art Academy of Catania University, the prize 2015 and the prize Sotto la Cupola. He is the artistic and musical director of the Festival Luigi Capuana, Sicanorum Cantica and Premio Canticorum Sacerdos the latter taking place annually, with the patronage of the President of the Italian Republic. He has collaborated with many famous singers, most notably, Lu Jia, Peter Tiboris, Steven Mercurio, Giuliano Carella, Marius Stravinsky, Luiz Fernando Malheiro, Gregory Kunde, Daniela Dessì, Maria Dragoni, Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni, Marcello Giordani, Sonia Ganassi, Piero Giuliacci, Fioretta Mari, Dimitra Theodossiou, Pietro Ballo, Carlo Colombara, Fabio Armiliato, Clara Polito, Monsignor Giuseppe Liberto, Monsignor Marco Frisina, as well as with Taormina Arte, Taormina Opera Festival, Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini of Catania, Ente Luglio Musicale Trapanese, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana,

38 Mediterranea 2018

Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Bellini Festival, and many more.

In addition to the intense artistic activity, he dedicates himself to the research, study, revision and enhancement of the work of lesser-known musicians and rare manuscripts of the sacred repertoire and opera. He has composed the anthem of the city of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto for the inauguration of the theatre Placido Mandanici, the anthem for the 125th anniversary of the Congregation Rogationist and the opera Cantantibus Organis, broadcast on television from the Vatican Basilica of St. Peter in Rome in the presence of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of the opening of the Synod of Bishops for Africa.

As Choir Master of Taormina Arte Foundation and Taormina Opera Festival he has worked in many productions of Bellini, Verdi, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Puccini, Mozart, Bizet, and others, apart from concerts including Orff’s Carmina Burana and Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle.

Felix Busuttil Choreographer

The name is Felix. Surname Busuttil - and I do come from the island of Gozo. Dance has been my life and theatre my passion. Studied dance in Malta and the United Kingdom and performed in 22 countries and 4 different continents. Set up three dance institutions and a dance company that has lived and survived successfully locally and internationally. Acquired a University Masters Degree in Dance Studied and have choreographed and directed many theatrical performances and taught many a students worldwide. Festivals Malta and Gozo Festivals Committee consultant and part of the Management Board of the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

Joseph Cauchi Scenic Artist

After finishing his secondary studies, Gozo-born Joseph Cauchi pursued his artistic training at the Tarġa Gap School for Craftsmanship in Mosta under the tuition of Maltese artists and sculptors John Bonnici and Anthony Calleja of Rabat. His artistic inclinations inspired him to get closer to the theatre and create designs, sketches and scenary for different stage productions in Malta and Gozo. Joseph also carried out interior decoration work for various localities in Gozo. Joseph, vice-president of St George’s Feast Decorations Committee, is the leading artist in this genre of popular art in the Maltese Islands.

In this production he is assisted by a dedicated team of volunteers and members of the Għaqda Armar La Stella. He has been involved in the latest major productions at Teatru Astra namely Nabucco (1994 and 2014) , (1999 and 2016), Macbeth (1997 and 2007), Rigoletto (1998 and 2009), Otello (2003 and 2013), La Bohéme (2005 and 2015), Suor Angelica, Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Turnadot, La Traviata, , Madama Butterfly and last year Lucia di Lammermoor. In what is considered a first in the Maltese Islands, during January 2015, the set of Nabucco which was designed by Cauchi was used in two representations of Nabucco in Rimini (Italy). Since 2018 Joseph Cauchi became a member of Munxar Local Council.

39 La Traviata

Manuel Grima Costumes

Manuel Grima started his theatrical career at the early age of twelve at the Don Bosco Oratory Centre in Victoria. Two of his first tutors were the late Mro Alfred Arnold, a long time british resident and leading Shakesperian actor and film star Eric Porter of Forsythe Saga fame, two important personalities that coached Grima to the theatre and musical world. At fifteen he joined the formidable Astra Stage Dancers and local theatre group, actively participating in local productions such as operettas, pageantry events, musicals and other manifestations at the Teatru Astra.

Manuel led the Astra Folk Group for fifteen years as its Artistic Director and co-founder, which ensemble he has successfully led on tour overseas for fourteen international festivals presented in France, Italy, Scotland, Finland, Russia, Libya and Egypt. Grima has also directed two important local productions at the Teatru Astra, a folk spectacle set in four scenes with music by Mro Joseph Vella and other maltese composers and Fr Joe Meylaq’s musical drama Iż-Żeffiena a colourful drama set in Andalucia. Between 1988 and 2007 he has taken an active role in the operas presented at the Teatru Astra as assistant director thus enabling him to work closely with famous international artistic directors and artists from the international opera world. Manuel also designs costumes for the Teatru Astra productions with veteran collaborator George Farrugia including grand operas like Aida, Turandot, Norma, L’Elisir d’Amore, Lucia di Lameermoor, , La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Nabucco, Un Ballo in Maschera, Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto and Macbeth and La Boheme. Grima and Farrugia’s costume designs have been highly welcomed by audiences and reviewers in the local media,described as a labour of love and passion. While working in Malta, Grima trained in dance activity with Ms Alison White giving him the opportunity to participate in Malta’s foremost rock opera Ġensna.

Manuel Grima and Gorg Farrugia will be in charge of the costume department for ‘La Traviata’. Both collaborators have already designed costumes for Teatru Astra’s two former productions of La Traviata, with Franco Vacchi in 1989 and Marco Gandini in 2010.

George Farrugia Costumes

George Farrugia is wardrobe master at Teatru Astra. Since the theatre’s inauguration way back in 1968, George was involved in every production presented at Teatru Astra. These included operattas, operas, variety shows, pageants and numerous other productions. George is also a member founder of Astra Folk Group. Alongside Manuel Grima, he devises the simple, yet effective designs in such a way that every production commands a special visual effect that adds instant value and success to the production presented. The Farrugia-Grima tandem has been described as a labour of love and loyalty towards the theatre.

Andrew Portelli Assistant Scenic Artist/Stage Manager

Andrew, a graduate in fine arts from the Malta Collage of Arts, Science and Technology, has for the last years been actively involved in the various stage productions at Teatru Astra. Since the production of La Traviata in 2010, Andrew has contributed extensively to the construction of opera stage sets. He is also a member of the St George’s Feast External Decorations Committee and has been involved in the development of the committee’s recent projects. In the production of opera, Andrew assisted Joseph Cauchi in the role of assistant scenic artist. During Teatru Astra’s venture in Rimini in January 2015, Andrew led the team of volunteers who installed the set of 2014 Nabucco staged at Teatru Astra.

40 Mediterranea 2018

Johnny Micallef Stage Manager

Johnny Micallef studied at the Targa Gap Art School School in Mosta and his name has now become associated with the most recent stage constructions at Teatru Astra, specifically in the design and construction of the set’s structural framework. Johnny’s intricate metal works feature extensively in a number of local traditional feasts, including St Geroge’s feast in Victoria. He was also instrumental in the construction of the musical sets at Teatru Astra, namely Grease, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar. For the latter, which was a highly successful production, Johnny was responsible for the set construction and served as operations manager. Bradley Xuereb Stage Manager

Bradley, a fresh graduate who read for a Bachelors Honours Degree in IT (Software Development) from the MCAST Institute of Information, Communication and Technology has for the past years been actively involved in various stage productions at Teatru Astra and is an active member of La Stella Philharmonic Society, forming part of two sub-committees. He is also a member of St. George’s Feast External Decorations Committee and serves as the President for the St. George’s Feast Youth Committee. Following the past productions, predominantly since Nabucco’s production in 2014, Bradley has been responsible for the operational and structural aspect of the set, as well as taken the important role in the construction of the opera set under the direction of scenic artist Joseph Cauchi. Furthermore, Bradley also formed part of the technical team who was responsible for the installation and operation of Teatru Astra’s Nabucco’s set in Rimini in January 2015.

Carmel Zammit Stage Manager

Introduced to stage craft at an early age at the Don Bosco Oratory. In 1968 moved to the newly-opened Astra Theatre, taking part as an extra in the operetta Cuor di Ben. Back stage work seemed a better proposal and soon enough started rubbing shoulders with the best master craftsmen, and producers of the day. For a number of years acted as chief prompter for Għaqda tal-Palk Teatru Astra . The two-year stint at the teacher’s College of Education proved to be invaluable especially since all sets produced for the annual operettas at the College had to be rebuilt at the Astra for their performances in Gozo. A new experience presented itself, during the seventies, with the start of Opera productions at the Astra Theatre, under the tutorship of Impresa Fasano. Presently acting as set construction co-ordinator with scenic designer Joseph Cauchi and his band of young energetic crew.

George Zammit Lights

George is a senior member of the Teatru Astra’s backstage department and carries a family tradition of dedication towards La Stella Philharmonic Society’s initiatives. Over the last twenty years George has been involved in all productions held at Teatru Astra, including operas. He has worked under the direction of major directors, namely Joseph Bascetta, Mario Corradi and recently Marco Gandini and Enrico Stinchelli. George, in tandem with Nexos, leads the light installations in the opera productions. He also played an important role in the introduction of musicals at Teatru Astra and is very active within the structures of St George’s Basilica. George also plays an important role in the production of RockAstra.

41 La Traviata

Andjela Bizimoska Assistant Director

Andjela Bizimoska is an opera stage director and stage manager in her native Macedonia. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and the Performing arts and subsequently with a Master’s Degree in Musicology from the prestigious University of Bologna. In 2015 she earned a second Master’s Degree in Opera Stage Direction at the Verona Opera Academy. Among her experiences in the world of opera she has directed Pergolesi’s La serva padrona, Brancati al Brancati, a sequence of four tales by Vitalino Brancati set to music by Ferdinando D’Urso, a concert version of Bizet’s Carmen, co-directed Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur at the Macedonia Opera, and many more. For the past few years she has also worked with renowned directors Enrico Stinchelli, David Gately, Carlo Saletti Villa, among others. She has also gained experience in the Far East apart from all over Italy and Sicily. Apart from opera, Andjela has also collaborated in important Festivals, namely, the Piccolo Festival del Friuli Venezia-Giulia. She is also the recipient of the first prize for her staging in the International Competition Open Opera. Andjela also staged successfully Alcina (G.F.Handel) in August 2018 at the Trentino Music Academy International.

Maria Selene Farinelli Assistant Director

Maria Selene Farinelli is an Italian stage director who comes from a family of puppeteers. She holds degrees in various disciplines, namely, art, music, and performance from the prestigious University of Bologna. She subsequently proceeded to a Master’s degree in Theatre from the same University, and another Master’s in Opera Directing from the Verona Opera Academy. She has had valuable experience as assistant director in reputable theatres such as Parma, La Fenice in Venice, Rovigo, Bassano, Bologna, Vicenza, Vercelli, and also in Imperia, where she directed Madama Butterfly. She currently works as both stage manager and assistant director at the Olympic Theatre in Vicenza, where she has co-produced two of Mozart’s operas, namely, Così fan tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro. She debuted in the famous Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago with her direction of Il Tabarro in 2014 and a year later she was engaged by the Petruzzelli Theatre in Bari to direct Poulenc’s Les Dialogues des Carmelites, apart from other work in Treviso and elsewhere. She has also assisted Leo Muscato for the staging of Verdi’s I Masnadieri for the Busseto Verdi Festival. At the start of 2017 she collaborated with the Teatro Comunale in Treviso, assisting American director Robert Driver in a production of Die EntführungausdemSerail. In 2017 she returned to the Verdi Festival for another production of I Masnadieri and to the Teatro Maggio Musicale Fiorentino for a filming of La Scuola dei Gelosi. She is now starting to debut as stage director for children theatre with many performances in Verona. In October 2018 she worked at the Festival Verdi in Parma for the fourth consecutive year as assistant director. She returns to Teatru Astra for the second year as assistant to Enrico Stinchelli.

George Camilleri Production Assistant

George Camilleri is a familiar face in Teatru Astra. A nurse by profession, he has been actively involved in many of the recent productions at Teatru Astra, including drama, operas and musicals. He had a key role in a number of the carnival dance companies, in the years when the La Stella youth Movement dominated the local carnival scene. George is also involved in other initiatives of the La Stella Philharmonic Society and is a core member of the musical productions team. He was instrumental in the costumes department for Grease, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar.

42 Mediterranea 2018

George P Cassar Production Assistant

Cassar has just graduated with an honours bachelor degree from the department of Library, Information and Archive Studies within the University of Malta, and is currently reading for a Master of Melitensia and Documentary Heritage within the same institution. He currently holds the positions of assistant secretary to the La Stella Philharmonic Society and Teatru Astra’s general committee, and is chairing the Stage and Drama Subcommittee. A trumpet and violin player, he has studied music under the direction of Dr Mariella Cassar, Dr Joseph Grech, Mro Joseph Debrincat, and David Lang, as well as studying art under George Scicluna, Mario Abela, Mario Cassar, and Dr Mark Sagona, among other academic subjects such as English and History. This is the third time for Cassar in the role of production assistant at Astra, having executed this role in Evita (2017) and Lucia di Lammermoor (2017).

Ismael Portelli Projections and Video designer

Born in Gozo, Ismael Portelli always showed an interest in the Audio-Visual world. Starting at a very tender age, Ismael showed interest in theatre and stage lighting and was involved in small community events. At the age of nineteen he moved to Malta and started to work in a private television studio and later joined the largest rental lighting company in Malta. Some of his major events include the operas and musicals at Teatru Astra, RockAstra, various Yada shows including MJ Forever, 25 Filigree and Footlose, concerts by Joseph Calleja, Winter Moods, Isle of TV, Claudio Baglioni, Santana and Malta Song for Europe.

La Traviata is supported by the

43 La Traviata

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

Malta’s leading musical ensemble for half a century, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is also heir to an older musical tradition.

When Britain chose to base its Mediterranean Fleet in Malta in the 19th century, many Maltese musicians joined as bandsmen, and eventually, the most prestigious posting was with the orchestra of the fleet’s Commander-in-Chief, informally known as the “C-in-C” or the “Banda tal- Ammirall.”

The Fleet’s disbandment sealed that orchestra’s fate, but its musicians were moved to the Manoel Theatre and the Manoel Theatre Orchestra – today’s MPO – was founded from its ashes in 1968.

Though it was de facto Malta’s national orchestra since its founding, it remained the theatre’s resident orchestra until September 1997, when it was made an independent entity under the name National Orchestra of Malta. It became a full-sized symphony orchestra in 2008, becoming the MPO in the process.

Joseph Sammut, the C-in-C’s last conductor, was the orchestra’s first conductor, remaining at the helm until 1992. Since then, the orchestra has also been under the direction of Joseph Vella, Michael Laus and Brian Schembri; Mro Laus continues to serve as the MPO’s resident conductor.

As Malta’s only professional orchestra, the MPO is in high demand, averaging more than one performance a week including symphonic concerts, opera productions in Malta and Gozo, community outreach and educational initiatives as well as various concerts of a lighter nature.

In spite of its busy schedule, however, the MPO has increasingly ventured beyond Malta’s shores since 2001, when it undertook its first overseas tour. It has since performed in leading venues across the globe, including in China, Italy, Germany, Austria and Belgium, and presently embarks on at least one tour each concert season.

The MPO has a number of recordings to its name, including a project with international record label Naxos featuring works by Maltese composer Charles Camilleri, as well as two CD series published by Cameo Classics, Music of the 19th Century Jewish German Composers and British Composers Premiere Collection. Its latest recording is a CD featuring the music of Polish composer Alexandre Tansman, released by the CPO Label earlier this year.

In March 2018, the MPO won two awards – for Production of the Year and Best Work for Young Audiences – in the inaugural edition of the national awards Il-Premju għall-Arti.

The MPO is a keen exponent of Maltese composers. Apart from regularly performing their works in Malta and overseas, it also frequently premieres – and commissions – new compositions.

Through the MPO Academy and the Malta Youth Orchestra – which itself regularly gives concerts across Malta – the MPO is also responsible for the training and professional development of the next generation of Maltese musicians. It is also actively involved in organising educational programmes for children, through workshops and special performances. www.maltaorchestra.com

44 Mediterranea 2018

THE MALTA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

1st Violins Bassoons Timpani

Maria Conrad** Mario Psaila* Giacomo Cella* Joseph Camilleri* Agnieszka Kuźma Frank Camilleri Lampros-Ioannis Fiona Giambra Peter Flanagan Lapinas Percussion Inmaculada Muñoz Lucie Kuchařová Salgüero Horns Daniel Cauchi* Rosanne Dimech Double Basses Brian Sciberras Carol Ciantar Etienne Cutajar* Michael Camilleri Ian Ellul Gjorgji Cincievski* Marco Cola Anna Chiappalupi Dion Xuereb Bernardette Vella Harp Manuele Catalano 2nd Violins Flutes Britt Arend* Trumpets Stephen Zammit* Rebecca Hall* ** orchestra leader Roberta Attard Fiorella Camilleri Kevin Abela* * section principal Matteo Colombo Brendan Ball Valhmor Montfort Oboes Riccardo Rossano Trombones Stephen Debattista John McDonough* Jennifer Melville Dennis Camilleri* Violas Josef Attard Clarinets Jesmond Azzopardi Anthony Gilbert* Matthew Fenech Giuseppe Recchia* Tuba Savio Debono Daniele Galletto Ayako Omoto Christopher Spiteri*

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors and Management

The Board of Directors Administrative team

Executive Chairman: Sigmund Mifsud Administrative Assistant: Sarah De Bono Deputy Chairman: Ruth Micallef Marketing Coordinator: John Cordina Directors: Mark Attard Montalto, Marthese Media Coordinator: Joe Julian Farrugia Azzopardi, Rita Cutajar, Alexei Galea Operations Coordinator: Frank Camilleri Cavallazzi, Tiffany Farrugia, Elizabeth Librarian: Matthew Fenech Cassar, Anton Aquilina MPO Chorus Administrator: Helena Ferro Secretary to the Board: Jean Killick Services Officer: Tony Mizzi Booking Officer: Aquilina Management team Malta Youth Orchestra Director – Finance and Administration: Reuben Sammut Project Manager: Chris Spiteri Director – Operations: Michael Aquilina Administrative Assistant: Karl Borg Development & Marketing Manager: Maria Artistic Programme Developers: Maria Conrad, Blanco José García Gutiérrez Resident Conductor: Michael Laus Assistant Conductor: Riccardo Bianchi

45 La Traviata

TEATRU ASTRA OPERA CHORUS

FEMALE:

Maria Antonia Arena, Graziella Arrigo, Deborah Maria Borg, Lucia Boué, Antonella Bugeja, Elaine Cachia, Abigail Camilleri, Antoinette Camilleri, Julia Camilleri, Sarah Cassar, Josette Cremona, Rachel Curmi, Loranne Debono, Marie-Claire Dingli, Helena Ferro, Christabelle Formosa, Tresha Formosa, Maria Frendo, Alison Gatt, Christine Gauci, Annika Kotilaine, Marina Lekova, Susanna La Fiura, Eneh Lang, Antonella Leotta, Daisy Livesey, Livy McCoy-Parkhill, Libbeth McShane, Tara Marie Mercieca, Nicole Micallef, Jacqueline Mizzi, Beatrice Petkoff, Isabelle Price, Antonella Rapa, Sharon Refalo, Jahel Sacco, Marie Georgette Spiteri, Mariella Spiteri Cefai, Lorianna Tabone, Marielise Tabone, Emily Wenban-Smith, Caroline Sylvie Vella, Gabriella Vella

MALE:

Charlon Abela, Cosimo Arena, Riccardo Bosco, Wallace Camilleri, Giovanni Cascio, Francesco Costa, Rosario Cristaldi, Ray Debono, Giovanni Luca Failla, Vincent Farrugia, Mattia Felice, George Frendo, Camillo Maucieri, Mark Edward Mifsud, Stephen Mifsud, Alberto Maria Munafò, Sipan Olah, Federico Parisi, Mario Schilirò, Okàn Sipahioglu, Andrea Stegani, Stefano Strano, Roderick Tabone, Christian Tanti, Marco Tinnirello, Franco Vella

DANCERS (YADA DANCE COMPANY)

Daron Galea Busuttil, Danilo Monforte, Rosario Raineri, Elgars Pukitis, Elaine Falzon, Jennifer Busuttil Charlotte Stivala, Kirsty Pisani, Federica Formosa, Camille Sciberras, Jamie Caruana

EXTRAS

Males: George Camilleri, Malcolm Camilleri, George Charles Camilleri, Francis Camilleri, Giovanni Scicluna, Nicola Zahra, Glenn Curmi

Females: Josianne Xerri, Georgianne Mizzi, Lorna Tabone, Denise Galea, Noemi Zammit, Marygrace Xuereb, Josephine Saliba, Melina Sciberras, Gina Attard, Nina Cremona, Alda Bugeja, Maria Chiara Cauchi, Frances Grima, Liz Curmi, Angel Farrugia, Giada Farrugia

Children: Gorgianne Attard, Joseph Attard, Kurt Cutajar, Eman George Camilleri

Rehearsal Pianist Christian Maggio

LIGHTS George Zammit, Nexos, Juan Vella, Elena Zammit

PROJECTIONS MAV Multimedia, Ismael Portelli

SEAMSTRESSES AND WARDROBE CREW Gina Attard, Gorġa Camilleri, Rose Camilleri, Doris Cassar, Rita Cassar, Melania Cassar, M’Rose Grima, Ina Zammit, Frances Grima, Maria Cachia, Nina Cremona, Doris Farrugia, Carmen Grima, Melina Sciberras, Lucienne Zammit

PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS AND PROPS George P Cassar, Giulia Mandruzzato, George Camilleri, Miriam Attard, Elena Zammit, Andrea Camilleri, Gorgianne Attard.

46 Mediterranea 2018

STAGE CONSTRUCTION CREW Joseph Cauchi, Andrew Portelli, Johnny Micallef, Bradley Xuereb, Josef Stellini, Andre’ Mercieca, Carmel Zammit, Kurt Cassar, Matthew Mifsud

FLOWERS Miriam Attard (Fleur Floral Decor)

MAKE-UP Ann-Marie Caruana

HAIRDRESSER Esther Scicluna

TRANSPORT LOGISTICS David Camilleri, Dolindo Cassar, Joseph Borg, George Cremona

SURTITLES Sylvana Cini

FESTIVAL PUBLIC RELATIONS Michael Formosa, Matthew Zammit

BOOKING OFFICE Andrew Formosa, Matthew Mifsud, Joseph Tabone, Christopher Portelli

FESTIVAL POSTERS, WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA Mario Casha, Michael Formosa, Andrew Formosa, Christopher Portelli

OPERA POSTER DESIGN Richard Grech

OPERA SOUVENIR BOOK Mario Casha (Layout design), A&M Printing Ltd - Qala (Printing)

SPONSORSHIPS Michael Formosa, Joseph Borg, Dolindo Cassar

FESTIVAL MEDITERRANEA COMMITTEE Joseph Borg, Dolindo Cassar, Paul M Cassar (La Stella Philharmonic Society President), Mario Casha, Andrew Formosa, Michael Formosa (Chairman), Dr Maria Frendo, Dr Christopher Mizzi, Stefan Said, Joseph Tabone

47