GozoNews.Com

The second opera featuring in this year’s edition of the BOV Opera Festival is witnessing a double bill of Puccini and Rota. The two one Act Operas being presented are Gianni Schicchi, which marks the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth, and Nino Rota’s Notte di un Nevrastenico. This production is the annual collaboration with Operalaboratorio from Palermo with Teatru Manoel and as in previous years, the performance is under the artistic direction of Elizabeth Smith.

In the first performance, Gianni Schicchi, who is known for his clever schemes, is persuaded by his daughter Lauretta to help in forging the will of Donati, who has just passed away. Not wanting to involve his daughter, he sends her away in order to be innocent of what he is about to suggest. The relatives of Donati decide to leave the distribution of the inheritance in the hands of Schicchi. One by one the relatives of Donati approach Schicchi promising him rewards in return of him being generous. Scicchi is performed by Massimiliano Gagliardo.

Notte Di Un Nevrastenico is a dramma buffo in one act. An insomniac who is obsessed with the need for silence is about to spend the night in a hotel. To ensure quiet, he decides to acquire the two adjoining rooms. However, the hall porter has carelessly let out both rooms; one is given to a commendatore and the other to two clandestine lovers. From one room there are the incessant noises and cries of the lovers whilst in the other, the commendatore drops a shoe and the noise reverberates through the walls. Salvatore Grigoli plays the part of the Nevrastenico.

The second and final performance is taking place at the Teatru Manoel on Wednesday 12th March. Monteverdi’s I Fagiolini, which brings this year’s BOV Opera to a close, will be performed on April 3rd 2008 at The Phoenicia Grand Ballroom.

Tickets for both Operas are on sale from the Teatru Manoel’s booking office, which can be contacted on 2124 6389 and bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt.