Lucia di LammermoorTragic Opera in Two Parts

Music: Gaetano DonizettiLibretto: Salvadore Cammarano

World Premiere: Teatro San Carlo, Naples, 26 September 1835First performance in Malta: Teatro Reale di Malta, 4 November 1837

Lord Enrico AshtonLucia AshtonSir Edgardo di RavenswoodLord Arturo BucklawRaimondo BidebentAlisaNormanno

Boris Pinkhasovich Serenad Uyar Giulio Pelligra Cliff Zammit Stevens Dario Russo Marvic Monreal Bernard Busuttil

Early 18th centurySetting: Scotland

Malta Philharmonic OrchestraTeatru Astra Opera Chorus

in collaboration withCoro Lirico Siciliano

Conductor: Joseph VellaArtistic Director: Enrico Stinchelli

Orchestra Leader Reggie ClewsChorus Instructors Maria Frendo Francesco CostaStage Managers Andrew Portelli Carmel ZammitStage Construction Johnny Micallef Bradley XuerebAssistant Directors Angie Bizimoska Maria Selene FarinelliProduction Assistants George P Cassar Sarah Grech Giulia MandruzzatoChoreography Sarah GrechRehearsal Pianist Christian Maggio

Scenography Joseph CauchiAssistant Scenographer Andrew PortelliCostumes Manuel Grima George Farrugia Sartoria Pipi Lights George Zammit Nexos Juan VellaProjections MAV Multimedia Ismael Portelli Alex Magri

Lucia di Lammermoor

30

Joseph VellaConductor

Joseph Vella is generally considered to be Malta’s leading and internationally most widely played Maltese composer. In his works he has touched on a considerable diversity of styles, all ingrained in a personal idiom stemming mainly from the 20th century neo-classical movement. This is amply evidenced by comparing the pungent asperity of his String Quartet op. 33 (written for and premiéred by the Kronos String Quartet) with the lyricism of the Canticle Cantata op. 42 for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra; or the impulsive exuberance of the Violin Concerto op. 65 with the ascetic flavour of some of his a cappella works. Up to the present time Vella’s official catalogue of works reaches 130 opus numbers. These include 10 concertos 2 for piano, 2 for violoncello and one each for violin, piccolo, flute, clarinet, Bassoon and Trumpet, 3 symphonies, (the last one Symphony no.3 The Apocalypse Verses world premiered during the Victoria International Arts Festival on 14 July 2003, with further performances amongst which was the highly successful one at St Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, last year), 3 oratorios, 7 song cycles for different combinations, and 2 cantatas. He has also written a large number (about 150) of minor works (liturgical pieces, hymns, marches, music for wind band, etc.), which are not listed in his official catalogue. Vella’s works have been widely performed and critically acclaimed in most European countries, the USA, and Japan. A good number of his works are available on Compact Disc.

As a conductor, Vella has a wide repertoire and has received invitations to appear as a guest and to collaborate with many orchestras (Malta National Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Prometheus Symphony Orchestra of New York, Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Orchestra “Goffredo Petrassi” di Roma, “Gli Armonici” Palermo, The Yamaha Foundation Symphony Orchestra, etc.) During his long and fruitful association with the Malta Choral Society (1970-1982), he introduced to Malta some of the most outstanding choral works from the traditional and contemporary repertoire; Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Britten’s Ballad of Heroes, Bruckner’s Te Deum, and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, amongst others. When, in 1997, the then Manoel Theatre Orchestra was reconstituted and renamed as The National Orchestra, Mro Vella had the distinct honour of being appointed its first-ever resident conductor, a position he held for the best part of the first three years of the Orchestra’s existence.

Since 1970 Joseph Vella has been the musical director of the Astra Opera Theatre in Gozo, Malta. Over the past years he has conducted very successful productions of Rigoletto, Lucia di Lamermoor, Aida, Nabucco, Macbeth, Turandot, La Forza del Destino, La Gioconda, II Trovatore, La Traviata, Un Ballo in Maschera, etc., some of these with internationally-acclaimed artists like Ghena Dimitrova, Mark Rucker, Cecilia Gasdia, Rumen Doikov, Tiziana Fabbricini, Hao Jiang Tian, and, lately, Francesca Patane, apart from having launched to the world one of the best contemporary tenors, Joseph Calleja. Joseph Vella has also made an international name for himself as a scholar, especially in the field of old Maltese music, which he has edited and performed all over Europe.

www.josephvella.com.mt

Mediterranea 2017

31

Enrico StinchelliArtistic 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.

Boris PinkhasovichLord Enrico Ashton

Boris Pinkhasovich was born in 1986 in Leningrad in a family of professional musicians. At the age of 7 he was admitted to the Glinka Choir School. He graduated with full honours, singing solos in a multiplicity of genres ranging from Masses, Oratorios, Symphonies, and more. His operatic career as a baritone took off to a flying start after winning the prestigious ‘All-Russian Competition’ in 2005.

Being awarded ‘Best Student of the Year’ won him a scholarship that enabled him to further his studies at the St Petersburg State Conservatory, studying with the famous T.I. Khitrova. Concurrently, he was also the soloist of the famous Chamber Choir of Smolny Cathedral, performing all over Russia and beyond.

Despite his very young age, his beautiful, powerful, dark voice enables him to tackle roles in grand operas such as Boris Godunov, Eugene Onegin, and Simon Boccanegra. His most recent performance of Thésée in Enescu’s Oedipe at the Royal Festival Hall, London, won him rave reviews from Hugh Canning for the Sunday Times of London. Later this year he will make his debut at the Paris Bastille Opera, and at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Further engagements will see him perform the part of Lord Enrico Ashton in Limoges, Rouen, and Reims, Boris Godunov in Munich, and Eugene Onegin in Moscow. Pinkhasovich’s repertoire is expanding rapidly, to include a range of operas by Donizetti, Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Leoncavallo, and Verdi, not least Don Carlo.

Serenad UyarLucia

While studying the pianoforte and the guitar, Serenad Uyar began singing in her native Turkey. Her talent as musician and singer quickly earned her prestigious awards from Music Conservatory. Immediately noticed by professionals, she first stepped on stage in the role of Olympia in Jacques Offenbach’s Les Comtes d’Hoffman at the Izmir State Opera.

Subsequently to her debut, Serenad Uyar won the AS.LI.CO Competition in Milan and came to Europe. She did an internship in the opera studio in France, CNIPAL, for the 2004-2005 season during which she sang: Anna in Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda

Lucia di Lammermoor

32

Giulio PelligraEdgardo

Giulio Pelligra is one of the emerging Italian tenors of the younger generation. Born in Catania, 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 operas 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 Massimo, Palermo, Teatro Bellini, Catania, Teatro Lirico, Cagliari, 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 name at 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 Nabucco, and Arturo in Lucia di Lammermoor 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 Anna Bolena and Lord Arturo Talbot in I Puritani at Teatro Bellini, Catania.

Recent performances have seen him tackle roles as diverse as Ismaele in Nabucco at the Opéra Royal de Wallonie de Liège and Theater Sankt Gallen, Leicester in Maria Stuarda at the Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, Gaston in Jerusalem at Theater Freiburg, Rossini’s Stabat Mater at the Bustan Festival, Beirut, Carlo in Linda di Chamounix, at the Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, and many others.

at the Marseille Opera and the lead role in Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives at the Sacred Music Festival, with the conductor Kenneth Montgomery. That same year, she sang in Istanbul and at Canakkale in Carl Orff›s Carmina Burana and in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony under the baton of Ibrahim Yazici.

In 2006 Serenad Uyar’s talent became even more widely recognized. She was given the role of The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberfloete in Nantes in a production by Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier. Then the great international pianist Fazil Say granted her the soprano part in recording of a CD in a work from his The Meltin Altiok Oratorio that they jointly performed at the Istanbul Festival before being awarded the first prize in the “Début 2006” competition in Bad Mergentheim, Germany. Her career was then well on its way.

Serenad Uyar has performed at the Mannheim Theatre and at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. In 2008 she was invited by La Scala in Milan to perform the soprano part in Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana which she would repeat at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, and made her debut in the title role of Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in the same theatre. In 2009, she was Lucia again at the Dijon Opera and took on the title role in Massenet’s Manon at the Nantes Theatre in a production by Renée Auphan and Yves Coudray.

Her rounded, crystal-clear voice enables her to tackle operatic roles as diverse as Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Verdi’s Rigoletto and Traviata, as well as the best of bel canto operas of Donizetti and Bellini.

Mediterranea 2017

33

Cliff Zammit StevensLord Arturo Bucklaw

Tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens has been described as a ‘revelation’ (Daily Express), and ‘show[ing] exceptional promise’ (Opera Magazine). Starting his vocal training at the age of 14 with soprano Gillian Zammit, Cliff is a recent Masters in Performance graduate from the Royal College of Music (RCM), which was generously supported by the Malta Arts Scholarship Scheme, the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation and Janatha Stubbs. He counts Juliette Bisazza as one of his mentors.

Over the years, Cliff has taken part in many workshops and master classes with highly acclaimed musicians, including Dame Ann Evans, Edith Wiens, Delfo Menicucci, and Janis Kelly. Most recently he was nominated by the world-famous tenor, Joseph Calleja, and awarded a scholarship to join the summer academy at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg under the guidance of Anna Tumowa-Sintow.

Credits for operas: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Tebaldo), Nabucco (Ismaele), L’Elisir D’Amore (Nemorino), Rita (Beppe), Otello (Cassio),Pagliacci (Beppe), Il Trovatore (Ruiz), Norma (Flavio), The Magic Flute (Monostatos), Hansel and Gretel (Witch), and The Little Sweep (Clem). Cliff was also part of Britten’s War Requiem at RCM, Mozart’s Ascanio in Alba at King’s Place, Mozart’s Requiem (Tenor Solo) at St Martin in the Fields, Tenor Solo in Joseph Vella’s Symphony No. 3 (‘The Apocalypse Verses’) at St John’s Co-Cathedral, and Tenor Solo in Joseph Vella’s world premiere of The Hyland Mass, op. 130.

Cliff was one of the finalists in the Lies Askonas Competition and made it to the final rounds of the Francesco Vinas and Belvedere International singing competitions. He has performed at the Office of the Prime Minister here in Malta, the Royal Albert Hall in London, and had the honour of performing at a master class for Robert Sutherland (Maria Callas’ ex-accompanist). He was also invited to perform alongside Joseph Calleja and global superstar Anastacia during Calleja’s Annual Summer Concert at Luxol.

This past year saw Cliff perform concerts and operas around Europe, notably Le Nozze di Figaro at the Theatre de Champs-Elysées in Paris, London, and Corfu, touring I Capuleti e I Montecchi across the UK and headlining Malta’s EU presidency concert in Berlin.

Cliff is looking forward to be making his debut as ‘Arturo’ in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor at Teatru Astra this evening and Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni at Teatru Manoel next March.

Dario RussoRaimondo Bidebent

After graduating in Russian and German Language and Literature, the Italian bass, Dario Russo began his vocal studies with Carlo Miliciani and attended several master classes with Bill Schuman, Meinard Kraak, the baritone Carmelo Corrado Caruso, and Silvano Carroli his present teacher.

In 2008 Dario Russo won the Progetto Opera Junior of the Teatro Carlo Felice of Genova and in the same year he was selected as guest member of the Opera Studio Nederland of Amsterdam. Three seasons ago saw Dario Russo engaged in the leading role of Verdi’s Attila, and as Enrico VIII in Donizzetti’s Anna Bolena both at the Teatro Bellini of Catania, as the Count of Walter in Luisa Miller of Verdi at the Teatro San Carlo of Naples, and in Rossini’s Stabat Mater again for the Teatro Bellini. In the same season Dario Russo sang the role of Ramfis in a Zeffirelli’s production of Verdi’s Aida for the Teatro of Ascoli and at the Teatro Lirico of Cagliari. Recently, he was invited at the Rossini Festival in Wildbad to sing the role of Procida for the world premiere of Vespro siciliano of Peter Joseph von Lindpaintner.

Lucia di Lammermoor

34

Marvic MonrealAlisa

Maltese mezzo soprano Marvic Monreal, born in 1991, is in her second year at the Royal Academy Opera studying with Elizabeth Ritchie and Ingrid Surgenor. Before starting her studies in London, she completed a degree in Tourism Studies at the University of Malta.

This year, Marvic spent her summer in Salzburg participating in the Young Singers Project 2017. She debuted with the role of Pisana in the opera I Due Foscari opposite legendary Placido Domingo and Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja in the title roles. Recent performances include Joseph Calleja’s annual summer concert in Malta, where Marvic had the opportunity to share the stage with the tenor himself together with Sir Bryn Terfel. Her Royal Festival Hall debut was earlier this year in Mahler’s 2nd Symphony conducted by Semyon Bychkov. She also performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Brian Schembri for Europe Day Concert earlier this year in Malta.

Marvic was a Jerwood Young Artist in Glyndebourne Festival Opera in 2016, and as a member of the chorus she took part in Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Le Nozze di Figaro and Béatrice et Bénedict. She also covered the role of Lapák (The Cunning Little Vixen) and Hippolyta (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). On the Royal Academy Opera she has had the pleasure to perform Bradamante in Handel’s Alcina and Venus in Orphée aux enfers, as well as the role of Mrs. Peachum in Die Dreigroschenoper. She has also performed the role of La Principessa in Adriana Lecouvreur in the RAO opera scenes. Her roles in opera scenes at the RAM include Flower Maiden (Parsifal), Ramiro (La Finta GIardiniera), Minskwoman (Flight), Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia), Goffredo (Rinaldo) and Ora in Cavalli’s L’Egisto. She also performed the title role of Dido in Dido and Aeneas at the Teatru Manoel, Malta and Marthe in Faust, with Winterbourne Opera Salisbury.

Marvic is grateful for the generous support at the RAO by the Fordyce scholarship. She is also grateful to the Janatha Stubbs Foundation, the Malta Arts Scholarships, Drake Calleja Trust and the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation.

In September Dario Russo sang the role of Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor alongside Jessica Pratt at the Teatro Del Monaco, Treviso. In April and June 2014 he sang the role of Oroveso in Norma at the Teatro Lirico, Cagliari and at the Teatro Massimo, Palermo. In March he also sang the part of Lorenzo at the ROH of Muscat in I Capuleti e i Montecchi and a month earlier he was invited by the Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, to sing in Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. In Jannuary he interpreted the role of the High Priest of Belo in Nabucco at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Dario Russo’s operatic repertoire is wide and diverse, including roles in Verdi’s Aida, La Forza del Destino, Requiem, I Masnadieri, La Traviata, Un ballo in maschera, and I Vespri Siciliani; Rossini’s Demetrio e Polibio; Saint-Saëns’ Sanson et Dalila; Mozart’s Don Giovanni; Bizet’s Carmen; Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and La bohéme, the former at the famous La Scala, Milan. His latest engagements saw him singing the role of Timur in Puccini’s Turandot, Raimondo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, and many more.

His performances have taken him in the most prestigious venues all over Europe, to include La Scala in Milan, the Liceu in Barcelona, San Carlo in Naples, Teatro Bellini in Catania, Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, Teatro Compaomor in Oviedo, the Arena di Verona, Royal Opera House in Muscat, amongst many others.

Apart from leading roles in Romantic and late-Romantic operas, Dario Russo’s beautiful, warm, and elegant voice enables him to pursue a busy concert schedule, singing the bass parts in works such as Verdi’s Requiem, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn’s Die Erste Walpurgisnacht, and other major works.

Mediterranea 2017

35

Bernard BusuttilNormanno

Bernard Busuttil started his music studies at the age of six studying the pianoforte, theory of music, and later the pipe organ. He took up his vocal studies at the Johann Strauss School of Music under the guidance of soprano Miriam Cauchi. He has also followed master classes with Juliette Bisazza Zanni and Laura Sarti.

As a chorister, he has performed in various Masses, Oratorios, Symphonies, and more. Furthermore, he has participated in various opera productions, namely, Un Ballo in Maschera, Otello, Tosca, La Bohéme, Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Macbeth, Turandot, Rigoletto, La Traviata, Norma, Nabucco, Il-Wegħda and Falstaff. As a soloist he also sung the role of Principe Yamadori in Madama Butterfly, Rodrigo in Otello, and Ruiz in Il Trovatore.

He has given recitals in Malta, Paris and Sicily and has also sung concert versions of L’Elisir d’Amore (Nemorino), La bohéme (Rodolfo) and La Principessa della Czarda (Edwin). He is also a seasoned performer of sacred music. A few years ago he performed in the Debutants’ Concert with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as in Christmas Concerts with the same orchestra.

Bernard also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a degree of Doctor of Laws.

Maria FrendoChorus 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 and Early Baroque music, and also that composed in the contemporary idiom. 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 twenty-eight 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 last year 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.

Lucia di Lammermoor

36

Francesco CostaChorus 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 Vincenzo Bellini 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, 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.

Joseph CauchiScenic 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 Andrew Portelli and a team of dedicated volunteers and members of the Għaqda Armar La Stella. He has been involved in the latest major productions at Teatru Astra namely Nabucco, Aida, Macbeth (in 1997 and 2007), Rigoletto (1998, 2009), Otello, La Bohéme, Suor Angelica, Pagliacci, Cavalleria Rusticana, Turnadot, La Traviata, Norma, Madama Butterfly, Otello, Nabucco, La Boheme and last year AIDA. 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).

Mediterranea 2017

37

Manuel GrimaCostumes

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 Forza Del Destino, 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 ‘Lucia di Lamermoor’. Both collaborators have already designed costumes for Teatru Astra’s first production of this opera way back in 1988 under the then artistic direction of Sig. Franco Vacchi.

Sarah GrechChoreographer

Sarah Grech began her training in classical ballet at a young age under the tuition of the late Ms Jeni Delicata Lynam, principal at The Mill Room Studio. She later trained with various established teachers including Daphne Lungaro Mifsud, Ingrid Desira Buttigieg, Clarissa Borg and in particular with RAD examiners Caroline Busuttil and Mary Jane Bellia. In addition, she often received training at master classes and open classes with local and foreign tutors.

After successfully obtaining Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2, Sarah continued her training as a dance teacher, receiving tuition in Malta and in London. She holds a Royal Academy of Dance Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies and is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance.

In 2014 Sarah founded Dance Narratives, a ballet school based in Gozo. Sarah regularly choreographs dance pieces for performances in Malta and in Gozo. Her latest major choreography was for the musical 1551 which was staged in July 2016. In December 2015, Dance Narratives held its first full-length dance performance - A Christmas Masquerade.

Sarah’s previous dance choreographies for opera include Macbeth, Rigoletto and AIDA.

Lucia di Lammermoor

38

Andjela BizimoskaAssistant 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.

George FarrugiaCostumes

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.

Maria Selene FarinelliAssistant 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, Pesaro 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 this year she collaborated with the Teatro Comunale in Treviso, assisting American director Robert Driver in a production of Die EntführungausdemSerail. Later this year she returns 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.

Mediterranea 2017

39

Andrew PortelliAssistant 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.

Bradley XuerebStage Construction

Bradley, who is currently pursuing his studies in a Bachelors course at the MCAST Institute of Information, Communication and Technology, is an active member of La Stella Philharmonic Society, forming part of two sub-committees. Since last year’s production Nabucco, he has been responsible of the structural and operational aspect of the set. This year, Bradley has also taken the important role in the construction of the opera set under the direction of scenic artist Joseph Cauchi and his assistant Andrew Portelli. Bradley 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.

Johnny MicallefStage Construction 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.

Carmel ZammitStage 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.

Lucia di Lammermoor

40

Ismael PortelliProjections 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 La Traviata and Norma at Teatru Astra, 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.

George ZammitLights

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. George is also very active within the structures of St George’s Basilica.

Lucia di Lammermoor is supported by

Mediterranea 2017

41

The Malta Philharmonic OrchestraFor half a century, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has been Malta’s leading musical ensemble.

The orchestra was founded in April 1968, when musicians from the defunct “C-in-C” orchestra of the Malta-based British Mediterranean Fleet regrouped as the Manoel Theatre Orchestra. It continued to serve as the theatre’s resident orchestra until September 1997, when it became an independent orchestra, taking up the name National Orchestra of Malta in the process.

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra assumed its present name in 2008, when it was expanded into a full-size symphony orchestra bringing together the best of Maltese talent and musicians from Europe and beyond.

The last conductor of the C-in-C orchestra, Joseph Sammut, 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 and Michael Laus. In September 2014, Brian Schembri joined the orchestra as its principal conductor, while Michael Laus became its resident conductor.

As Malta’s only professional orchestra, the MPO is in high demand, performing in over 70 concerts every year, including symphonic concerts, opera productions in Malta and Gozo, community outreach and educational programmes as well as various concerts of a lighter nature.

Its busy schedule notwithstanding, the MPO has increasingly ventured beyond Malta’s shores in recent years, having undertaken its first overseas tour back in 2001. Since then, it has collaborated with numerous orchestras and opera companies and performed in leading venues across the globe, including in China, Italy, Germany, Austria and Belgium.

Over the years, the orchestra has performed with many renowned artists including Karl Jenkins, Joseph Calleja, Andrea Bocelli and Bryn Terfel, acclaimed conductors such as Michalis Economou, Peter Stark, Jean-Marc Burfin, Wayne Marshall and Philip Walsh, as well as pop stars including Claudio Baglioni, Suzanne Vega, Michael Bolton and Anastacia.

The MPO is also a frequent visitor at the recording studio. Its CDs include a project with international record label Naxos featuring works by Maltese composer Charles Camilleri and two CD series published by Cameo Classics, Music of the 19th Century Jewish German Composers and British Composers Premiere Collections. A CD featuring the music of Polish composer Alexandre Tansman with the CPO Label is set to be released in 2018.

The MPO is a keen exponent of Maltese composers, regularly performing their works in Malta and abroad and premièring – as well as commissioning – new compositions.

It is also responsible for the orchestral training and professional development of the next generation of Maltese musicians, through the MPO Academy and the Malta Youth Orchestra, which itself regularly gives concerts across Malta. At the same time, it is actively involved in organising educational programmes for children, through workshops and special performances.

While it celebrates 50 years of music, the MPO remains intent on delivering quality orchestral music to the Maltese islands, all the time continuing to promote Malta’s musical heritage overseas.

www.maltaorchestra.com

Lucia di Lammermoor

42

MPO Musicians List

1st Violins

Reggie Clews** Melanie Waite Agnieszka Kuźma Vincenzo Picone Emilia Wiśniewska Inmaculada Muñoz Salgüero Riccardo Rossano Matteo Colombo

2nd Violins

Stephen Zammit* Natalia Filipenko Mario Micallef Stephen Debattista Valhmor Montfort Rosanne Dimech

Violas

Anthony Gilbert*

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors and Management

Matthew Fenech Ayako Omoto Savio Debono

Cellos

Mario Psaila* Frank Camilleri Ákos Kertész Peter Flanagan

Double Basses

Michelle Scicluna* Marco Agnetti

Flutes

Rebecca Hall* Fiorella Camilleri Nathalie Fenech

Oboes

Chiara Telleri* Jenny Melville

Clarinets

Giuseppe Recchia* Daniele Galletto

Bassoons

Giacomo Cella* Maria Spiteri Zahra

Horns

Etienne Cutajar* Marco Cola Bernardette Vella Manuele Catalano

Trumpets

Kevin Abela* Brendan Ball

Trombones

Roderick Bugeja* Dennis Camilleri

Jesmond Azzopardi

Timpani

Mathieu Pouliot*

Percussion

Daniel Cauchi* Kristian Schembri

Harp

Britt Arend*

** Orchestra Leader* Section Principal

THE MALTA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The Board of Directors

Executive Chairman: Sigmund Mifsud Deputy Chairman: Ruth Micallef Directors: Mark Attard Montalto, Marthese Azzopardi, Rita Cutajar, Alexei Galea Cavallazzi Secretary to the Board: Jean Killick

Management team

Financial Controller: Reuben Sammut Director of Operations: Michael Aquilina Marketing & Development Manager: Maria Blanco

Resident Conductor

Michael Laus

Administrative team

Secretary: Elaine Ellul

Librarian: Matthew Fenech Marketing Coordinator: John Cordina Operations Coordinator: Frank Camilleri Media Coordinator: Joe Julian FarrugiaMarketing Assistant: Brendan Ball Services Officer: Tony Mizzi

Malta Youth Orchestra

Project Manager: Chris SpiteriResident Conductor: Riccardo BianchiArtistic Programme Developers: Maria Conrad (Strings); Jose Garcia Gutierrez (Brass & Winds)

Mediterranea 2017

43

TEATRU ASTRA OPERA CHORUS

Females: Deborah Maria Borg, Antonella Bugeja, Elaine Cachia, Abigail Camilleri, Anne Camilleri, Antoinette Camilleri, Julia Camilleri, Sarah Cassar, Karin Catania, Josette Cremona, Lorann Debono, Marie Claire Dingli, Helena Ferro, Christabelle Formosa, Tresha Formosa, Maria Frendo, Alison Gatt, Christine Gauci, Eneh Lang, Marina Lekova, Tara Marie Mercieca, Nicole Micallef, Jacqueline Mizzi, Kimberly Pace, Dorienne Portelli, Antonella Rapa, Sharon Refalo, Jahel Sacco, Esther Scicluna, Mariella Spiteri Cefai, Lorianna Tabone, Marielise Tabone, Gabriella Claire Vella

Males: Charlon Abela, Cosimo Arena, Riccardo Bosco, Wallace Camilleri, Giovanni Cascio, Rosario Andrea Cristaldi, Ray Debono, Gilbert Delicata, Giovanni Luca Failla, Vincent Farrugia, Mattia Felice, George Joseph Frendo, Giuseppe La Rosa, Alessio Fortunato Manno, Carmelo Maucieri, Stephen John Mifsud, Alberto Maria Munafò, Gianpaolo Santonocito, Okàn Sipahioglu, Roderick Tabone, Christian Tanti, Marco Tinnirello, Franco Vella

DANCERS (DANCE NARRATIVES –SARAH GRECH SCHOOL OF DANCE)Giannella Cassar, Annmarie Azzopardi, Martha Grima, Rosemarie Grima, Maria Bajada, Alexia Mercieca, Stephanie Portelli, Sarah Grech EXTRAS

Males: George Charles Camilleri, Sean Grech, Glenn Curmi, Giovanni Scicluna, Nikola Zahra

Females: Maryanne Cremona, Nina Cremona, Veronica Cremona, Denise Galea, Georgianne Mizzi, Lorna Tabone, Josianne Xerri, Mary Grace Xuereb

REHEARSAL PIANISTChristian Maggio

LIGHTSGeorge Zammit, Nexos, Juan Vella, Elena Zammit

PROJECTIONSMAV Multimedia, Ismael Portelli, Alex Magri

SEAMSTRESSES AND WARDROBE CREWNikolina Attard, Charles Ballucci, Ġorġa Camilleri, Rose Camilleri, Doris Cassar, Rita Cassar, Melania Cassar, M’Rose Grima, Ina Zammit, Frances Grima, Maria Cachia, Nina Cremona, Doris Farrugia, Nazzareno Galea, Carmen Grima, Josephine Sacco, Melina Sciberras, Lucienne Zammit

PROPS AND BACKSTAGE ASSISTANTSGeorge P Cassar, Giulia Mandruzzato, Sarah Grech, George Camilleri, Miriam Attard, David Camilleri

STAGE CONSTRUCTION CREWJoseph Cauchi, Andrew Portelli, Johnny Micallef, Bradley Xuereb, Leli Attard, Andre’ Mercieca, Carmel Zammit, George Zammit, Kevin Vassallo, George Grech, George Attard, Kurt Cassar, Nicholas Portelli, Manuel Attard

FLOWERSMiriam Attard (Fleur Floral Decor)

MAKE-UPAnn-Marie Caruana

Lucia di Lammermoor

44

TRANSPORT LOGISTICSDavid Camilleri

FESTIVAL PUBLIC RELATIONSMichael Formosa, Mario Casha, Matthew Zammit

BOOKING OFFICEMatthew Mifsud, Joseph Tabone, Christopher Portelli, Andrew Formosa

FESTIVAL PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITESMario Casha, Andrew Formosa, Michael Formosa, Christopher Portelli

FESTIVAL MEDITERRANEA COMMITTEEJoseph Borg, Dolindo Cassar, Paul M Cassar (Teatru Astra President), Mario Casha, Andrew Formosa, Michael Formosa (Chairman), Dr Maria Frendo, Dr Christopher Mizzi, Stefan Said, Joseph Tabone, Prof Joseph Vella (Artistic Director)