Why Two jubilees?

We’re speaking of two distinct, yet connected jubilees; the 50 years of the Aurora and the 50 years of opera in Gozo. That’s it. What is nowadays officially known as ‘Teatru tal-Opra Aurora’, inherited its name from a former Aurora Theatre, or L-Aurora l-qadim (the old Aurora). That was a 500-seat cinema, built in 9 months, between 1962 and 1963, on the site of a former Royal Talkies. In 1971, the Leone Philharmonic Society, the proud owner of the old Aurora got hold of a stately property, belonging to the heirs of Hector Tabone, a prominent influential medical doctor and the most ambitious cultural project of the 20th century ensued. In 1976, the new opera house, seating 1,600 persons was officially opened as the seat of the Leone Philharmonic Society and the Aurora Opera House. That was a very rainy 9th October 1976, making 2026 the 50th anniversary of the Aurora.

The Aurora opened with a momentous symphonic concert by the rightful owner, the Leone Band, under the direction of Joseph Sammut. But it gave a new thrust and renewed vigour in the quest to have opera performed for the first time ever in Gozo. And it had to be a new calendar year altogether, as Joseph Sammut made history when he conducted Madama Butterfly, the first opera even in Gozo, on the 7th and 8th January 1977, making 2027 as the 50 years of opera in Gozo.

So why two operas?

Hence, the Aurora Opera House decided to mark these two special years, 1976 and 1977 with two special operas, starting with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata on 17th October 2026. On the surface, La Traviata appears to offer the familiar temptation to lift one’s glass and belt out the Brindisi with carefree abandon. But if one carefully seeks an opera worthy of a jubilee, none actually surpasses La Traviata – a work that transcends time. It is at once intimate and grand, tragic yet radiant. A melange of timeless beauty, emotional depth, and universal humanity that embody the very essence of celebration itself.

So yes, in the process we may allow ourselves to raise a glass or two for the Aurora’s 50th anniversary as we toast with Alfredo, Violetta and the whole party of La Traviata.

Then comes Carmen, the mega-successful opera title, not only for its own composer, Georges Bizet, but also as much for the Aurora. While Traviata appeared on the Aurora stage in 1978, 1998, 2015 and lately in a 2023 Gaulitana production, Carmen returns on 16th October 2027 after raving successes in 1988, 2000, 2010 and 2016. So the Aurora and its people really grew to love Carmen. And whereas La Traviata comes with Violetta’s camellia, the white, delicate and fleeting flower that mirrors her existence, Carmen comes with the red flower that burns with passion, defiance and fatal allure. Hence the flowered manifesto announcing the biennial bill – La Traviata 2026, Carmen 2027.

A 50th anniversary special

La Traviata 2026 and Carmen 2027 will be part of a larger programme of events being held over the course of 12+ months, to mark these special anniversaries. It will be a programme of events crafted to honour the stalwarts and the moments in time, to bring together the craftsmen and the people running the present ecosystem, and to breathe a new lease of life into the edifice, the production house and the genre of opera in Gozo. More details on this will be announced in due course.