The Gozo Channel, the Gozo Tourism Authority and Bank of Valletta yesterday launched a promotional scheme entitling opera fans to free ferry tickets on the occasion of this year?s Teatru Astra productions on 26th and 28th October 2006.

Patrons of the fifth edition of the Festival Mediterranea who spend three consecutive nights at one of the Gozo accommodation establishments participating in this incentive will be refunded their Gozo Channel ferry ticket in full when paying their hotel bill with a BOV card and upon presentation of a fully-paid opera ticket.

BOV Chief Executive Officer Tonio Depasquale said the incentive seeks to link the fine cultural programme that Gozo has to offer with a campaign designed to promote tourism in Gozo. Mr Depasquale also outlined how BOV is an active participant in the Gozitan community, and that BOV is the main sponsor of the fifth edition of Festival Mediterranea.

Gozo Channel chairman, Joseph Borg explained how the incentive links up with the overall strategy adopted by Gozo Channel in promoting tourism for Gozo. He also outlined various initiatives undertaken by the Gozo Channel to promote such tourism during the shoulder months.

While thanking BOV for its co-operation, GTA chairman Victor Borg expressed his satisfaction at the excellent response from Gozitan accommodation establishments to this initiative. The accommodation establishments participating in the incentive are: Hotel Ta? Cenc, St Patrick?s Hotel, Cornucopia Hotel, Hotel Calypso, Grand Hotel, Kempinski Hotel Resort & Spa, Trulli Villas & Farmhouses and Xlendi Tourist Services.

The president of the Socjetà Filarmonika La Stella, Joseph Grech thanked the sponsors, especially BOV and the other parties taking part in the initiative. He also thanked the volunteers who are always there for the society. Alluding to the restoration of the Teatru Astra after the fire which had broken out in November 2003, he said that following a costly restoration, the theatre now enjoys better acoustics and a more beautiful auditorium.

The society?s musical director, Joseph Vella described this year?s productions as a unique experience. This is because although Mascagni?s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo?s I Pagliacci are generally performed together, as the name Cav/Pag suggests, the two operas will be performed along with Puccini?s Suor Angelica. A production of three operas, he said, is highly uncommon.

Mro Prof. Vella will be conducting the Accademia Musicale Siciliana, a 47-strong orchestra, which will be augmented by six Maltese elements. A theatre spokesman said that the Orkestra Nazzjonali, which usually plays at Teatru Astra productions, had presented certain conditions in its contract, which the theatre management found unacceptable.