20

December

Building on successful past editions, since 2008, the Leone Philharmonic Society of Gozo and the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora are pleased to announce another edition of The Leone Grand Christmas Concert, this year to fall on the Friday before Christmas, the 20th of December 2024, starting at 8pm.

The Leone Grand Christmas
Concert 2024

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL - 20 DECEMBER 2024

Event is now past.

The Leone Grand Christmas Concert 2024

Photos by Anthony Grech, 20.12.2024

The Leone Band emerges fresh from a string of highly successful concerts and musical engagements, the latest of which was the critically acclaimed Ouvertures d’Operettes at the same Aurora Opera House, just days ago. Riding on this momentum, this year we’re set to build further on a successful formula that makes shows at the Aurora so widely anticipated.

With some innovative surprises along the way, the concert, (taking more from the elements of a variety show) will feature once again the Leone Band under the direction of Colin Attard. Other attractions shall include the theatre’s junior chorus, singers, dancers and acrobats and stand-up comedians.

The Music

Conductor Colin Attard directs the Leone Band in a set-list of evergreen titles that offer an exquisite blend between seasonal tunes and carols and popular classics. The Christmas Concert is usually renowned for its frills and ruffles but the musical element comes in no way second-rate. A musical event of its own standing, The Leone Grand Christmas Concert should have us eagerly all ears!

Somewhere in between a law degree, a foodie, a journalist, a writer and an avid reader, as well as an experienced globe trotter, Clara Sciberras also turns out to be a musical sensation. Maybe not much inclined to be a pop star, Clara is a star that shines on stage, more aptly in musical theatre. And that’s why we expect her to blind us with her sparkle in this year’s edition of the Grand Christmas Concert.

We all know that philharmonic bands in Malta do not comprise a string section, but it is our pleasure this year to present a violin virtuoso – in two amazing numbers – a purely solo piece, plus an exhilarating number in which the solo violin is accompanied by the Leone Band. And for this, we get the best one could find on the islands – incidentally so close to home. Hence, our immense pleasure to present violinist Pierre Louis Attard.

A what would a Christmas show be without a choir? The Leone Grand Christmas Concert will once again feature The Aurora Youth Choir, the in-house junior chorus, in a number of heartwarming tunes that add colour and flavour to the evening. Whether it be an immortal Christmas carol, or a relatively unknown song, a good choir rendition makes it ethereal, and that’s what the Aurora Youth Choir actually brings to the fold.

The Magic

Brian Rolè, an active international Maltese magician and illusionist, makes a full circle as he performs in Gozo, where he was born. A full-time professional magician since 2000, he is one of the most popular magicians in Malta due to his regular grand scale illusion shows and various television appearances. Usually he performs with his partner Lola Palmer. He is a full member of The Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians as well as the Malta Magician’s Society IBM Ring 202 the International Society of Magicians and most recently in 2020 the Society of American Magicians.

The Host

Matthew Sultana will play host, from selling you your tickets, to welcoming you on the night and sending you off with the warmest of wishes for a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas. But in the meantime, he will take you on a trip that involves humour, comedy and laughter… and some prizes that do not come without a fair share of stage-fright and/or embarrassment. Yes! In typical Christmas-show fashion, audience participation is key, whether it be singing or doing the fun-filled on-stage games. So let’s get cracking!

The Variety

Audience participation is, as usual, key. Equally loved and despised, awaited and loathed, audience games and involvement add to the feel-good factor the season brings with it. The production team is also working on some innovations, such as comic acts with a satirical element, classical and contemporary dance as well as some other surprise acrobatic feats.

The Leone Grand Christmas Concert 2024 is an event for all the family at the start of the most special weekend of all; the actual Christmas weekend. It is an occasion for the Leone Philharmonic Society to host all its friends for the exchanging of well-wishes against a backdrop of Christmas tunes, cheers and laughter.

The Event

Tickets at €10.00 are sold from this website (see link on the right hand side of the page) or via the ticket helpline +356 79045779.

EVENT IS NOW PAST

SINGLE PERFORMANCE
Friday 20th December 2024
Starting at: 2000hrs
Doors open at: 1930hrs

DURATION
75 minutes with no interval.

LANGUAGE
Maltese & English

MUSIC

The Leone Band

CONDUCTOR

Colin Attard

CHORUS

Aurora Youth Choir

HOST

Matthew Sultana

The Leone Grand Christmas Concert 2024 is a Teatru tal-Opra Aurora production, supported by the Directorate for Cultural Heritage within the Ministry for Gozo as part of the Christmas in Gozo programme of events.

CONCIERGE

Should you require further information, our Concierge will be very pleased to assist. Contact Matthew on teatruaurora@leone.org.mt or +356 79045779.