Those who live in the vicinity of the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora would have noticed our flag flying half mast for a number of days. Being a band club, half-mast flags are common as they signal the passing away of supporters or club members. But for the past week, the Aurora Opera House has also been sporting the black bows around the triple archway of our main entrance. And their rarity signifies the distinction of the occasion.

Yes, the Aurora Opera House has been in mourning; mourning the loss of the beloved former President and Honorary President of the Leone Philharmonic Society and Aurora Opera House, Louis Xuereb, known to all of us as Ġiġi ta’ May. Ġiġi passed away today week, Monday 14th April 2025 at the venerable age of 94 years. Up until a few days before his passing, he has been in good health and spirit, visiting the Aurora Opera and the Leone Band Club customarily each and every day, meeting the ever-decreasing peers of his age, and supporting the members of our administration and active volunteers. Ġiġi was widowed only last September when he lost his beloved wife May. They lived right across the street from the Aurora, and in their haydays they were both very active within the Leone Society and the Aurora Opera. Ġiġi served in various roles until he was elected President in 1981. He was instrumental in keeping opera at the Aurora going. Once opera started in Gozo, precisely at the Aurora in 1977, an initial furore was at the risk of extinguishing. But the Leone Committee, under the stewardship of Xuereb, managed to get it going again. Hence, we had Norma and Nabucco in 1986, Rigoletto in 1987 and Carmen in 1988, just a few months after he left the Presidency to his successor, our current, Dr Michael Caruana.

Owing to Holy Week celebrations, Ġiġi’s funeral was held today, 21st April. The Leone Band accompanied his funeral cortege from the band club and opera house, right outside his family home, up until the Cathedral Church. Funerary marches were played en route. Ġiġi left three sons, Michael, Joseph and Max and their families to whom we all offer our deepest sympathies.

In mourning for H.H. Pope Francis

In the meantime, 21st April turned out to be a darker day on two counts. It was 7:35am when the world rose to the news of the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis. While the theatre has no direct connection whatsoever with His Holiness, it is to be said that our very own volunteers share joyous memories of the late Pope, when they were selected in 2017 to construct the first ever Christmas Nativity scene in St Peter’s Square that was manufactured by non-Italians. Of course, then, we all hold dear the April 2nd and 3rd of 2022 memories, when Pope Francis visited Malta and Gozo, passing right in front of our opera house from where our children sang to His Holiness from the theatre’s balconies.

Deeply saddened by the loss of former Minister and Acting President, Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, a loyal supporter of the arts at the Aurora.

This afternoon, then, we also learnt of the demise of Dr Francis Zammit Dimech, a seasoned former politician, former Minister of Culture and former Acting President of the Republic of Malta, aged 70. Dr Zammit Dimech was an avid opera lover. Full of charisma and courtesy he was well-respected by everyone across the political spectrum. He supported opera in no small measure during his political career and continued to patronise opera at the Aurora until last year, even as a private citizen. Dr Zammit Dimech was always very appreciative of the contribution of the Aurora Opera House and its people. We were always met with a happy face of his and it was always a great pleasure to have him around. He will be deeply missed by us all. To his relatives and friends, we also send our most heartfelt condolences.