As Aida approaches, opera audiences in Gozo needed not wait the cast list to be announced to quickly fill up the islands’ largest opera venue. Gozo’s 1600-seat Aurora had announced, a few weeks ago, that it is marking the return of opera after COVID-19 pandemic with a unique production signed by none other than the legendary Franco Zeffirelli who designed the impressive sets, alongside the costume designer Anna Anni. And the opera lovers quite simply ambushed the seat sale!

Serena Farnocchia, Aida
Antonello Palombi, Radames
Oksana Volkova, Amneris

Stage Director Vivien Hewitt takes on this production for a single performance on 15th October. It could potentially be one of the last times it is seen on stage before getting housed in a museum on a permanent static exhibition.

Meanwhile, Colin Attard directs the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the Aurora Opera Chorus and an international cast headlined by Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia in the title role. Farnocchia is one of today’s leading Verdi and Puccini sopranos having performed most of the greatest works. However, she is also an acclaimed bel canto singer who has delved into Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini’s music to great critical acclaim. Her performances have been described as filled with “fire” and intense that make “the house shudder.” Little may one wonder why she carries the names of the biggest opera houses on her CV, including the major Italian ones like Rome, Venice and La Scala.

Piero Terranova, Amonasro
Francesco Leone, The King
Vladimir Sazdowski, Ramfis

Top-class major trio at the Aurora

Aida’s heart-throb, Radames, will be played by none lesser than Antonello Palombi who debuted as Pinkerton in Germany in 1990 and went to forge a career in the US. In 2006 he took the La Scala stage with aplomb when he covered Roberto Alagna, (in jeans and black shirt), who walked off mid-act and put on a costume to continue the remainder of the opera. His repertoire includes the major opera titles which he performed in major houses all over the globe with notable conductors. In fact, he was also remarkably successful with his Aida at the MET Opera in New York and New Zealand.

The love-triangle in the Aida plot rounds up with Amneris, daughter of the Egyptian King; a role which will see the return of Belarusian mezzo-soprano Oksana Volkova to the Aurora where she is best remembered for her fiery Carmen in 2016 which she performed to wide acclaim. No wonder that since then, she went to debut at the MET Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden amongst others.

The Cast

The complete cast list includes another recurring name on La Scala opera boards, Piero Terranova as Amonasro, alongside Vladimir Sazdowski, Ramfis, Francesco Leone, the Egyptian King and Malta-based Andriana Yordanova as the High Priestess.

Last remaining Vin d’Honneur spaces

Opera lovers, however, most certainly did not wait the cast to be announced as this production, even with extra seats in the upper gallery, is very close to sell-out levels. Few seats, in fact, remain available via www.teatruaurora.com or the ticket helpline +356 79045779.

Furthermore, the Aurora is complementing the opera experience for its patrons with an exclusive Vin d’Honneur standing reception in the 19th century frescoed drawing room, on the foreside of the Aurora Opera House edifice. With a selection of local wines and gourmet canapes, this reception adds the added comfort and space of what, otherwise could be crowded intervals, for a limited number of persons. Last few Vin d’Honneur tokens remain available via website or ticket helpline.

Aida at the Aurora is being supported by Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo as part of the Investment in Cultural Organisations – Gozo programme.