The ultimate opera experience starts at the Aurora with Madama Butterfly
For hundreds of years, opera has maintained an elevated and revered social status around the world. The genre itself brought about a culture of sumptuous and sophisticated opera houses worth visiting even if not for an actual theatre production. In turn, the ‘opera’ phenomenon grew from the core musical work of art to a social outing of prestige and glamour.
Sometimes, opera houses struggled to play down the elitism that became associated with opera, in order to attract more diverse and a wider range of audiences. Opera performances, especially in more casual open-air venues even ‘tolerate’ (by old-school standards) patrons in jeans, shorts or sliders. But in other contexts and on other occasions, the whole opera experience, marked by a degree of lavishness and indulgence is the one people crave for and throng to. Such is opera in Gozo, with its opening night on 14th October when the Aurora stages Madama Butterfly.
Final preparations are well underway as theatre volunteers are putting together a new ‘allestimento’ with costumes and set being the result of an artistic collaboration between Maltese designer Luke Azzopardi, choreographer and director Riccardo Buscarini and lighting designer Moritz Savan. On the auditory side, Colin Attard is once more responsible for the Aurora Opera Chorus together with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra together with an international cast headed by Federica Vitali in the title role of Madama Butterfly (Cio-cio-san). Mikheil Sheshaberidze, will be Pinkerton, Annunziata Vestri, Suzuki and Piero Terranova as Sharpless. The Maltese flag will be flown by Cliff Zammit Stevens who sings Goro, Gozitan-born Stanley Portelli as Yamadori, Louis Andrew Cassar as Uncle Bonze, Ken Scicluna performing the Imperial Commissioner, and Claire Ghigo as Mrs Kate Pinkerton.
Apart from the normal opera tickets, growing more limited by the hour, the Aurora Opera House is offering a number of additional packages for those patrons interested in upping their opera-in-Gozo experience, on its exclusive opening night.
Shuttle Bus Service
Patrons crossing over to Gozo as footpassengers on the Gozo Channel ferry, may use an exclusive Shuttle Bus from Mġarr Terminal to the theatre and back. This service runs after the 1745hrs ferry, i.e. at 1815hrs from Mġarr, and 30 minutes after the end of the opera performance from the theatre for the next ferry service which should be at midnight. This is a free-of-charge service but reservations are recommended.
Vin d’honneur reception
During the main break, the Aurora offers the option of an exclusive Vin d’honneur party – a stand-up reception with free flowing wines and canapes in the Victorian drawing room of the Aurora Opera House premises. This allows the comfort of a secluded space that is not crowded and the benefit of a meal that makes one’s evening complete. Vin d’honneur requests may be sent by email or through online forms available on the theatre’s website.
Premium Boxes
Patrons may also wish to avail themselves of the very last few premium boxes for the ultimate opera experience. Premium boxes, equipped with serving tables, are available for groups of 4 patrons who will be assisted and served by a butler. Champagnes and wines may be selected from a specific menu available from the theatre’s website or upon request by email.
A limited number of tickets for this one-time performance on Saturday 14th October 2023 now remains, available on the links below or via the ticket helpline +356 79045779.
