The Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici and the Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri launched the production Valeriana The Titan’s Rock (Opus 155), which is an opera in four acts thanks to the talent of the late Gozitan composer, Maestro Joseph Vella, based on a winning libretto by Vincent Vella.
The work was completed by Mro. Christopher Muscat after the defeat of Mr Vella, who was a student of his composition.
The opera will be staged on 4 May 2024 at the Astra Theater with the participation of the National Orchestra, under the direction of Mro. Muscat, which is also coinciding with the occasion of the Maltabiennale.art 2024.
Minister Bonnici stressed that it is very important that works of Maltese composers – in this case of Mro. Joseph Vella – are given the opportunity to be enjoyed in our own country. This importance grows when we see here that the work that will be staged is an opera. “It is in this way that we continue to celebrate our musical skills, the Maltese and the Gaudians themselves and strengthen our identity as a country”, said Minister Owen Bonnici while stressing that together with the composer he will be given tribute to Mro. Muscat who did crucial work so they could get to this project.
Minister Bonnici also thanked Teatru Astra for the great contribution it gives in favor of the protection and promotion of local musical talent and the whole team behind the production of this project.
Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri showed his satisfaction that this opera will be staged in Gozo while saying that, “Every time the opera is becoming synonymous with Gozo and it attracts a number of local and foreign visitors. As a Ministry for Gozo we are committed to continuing to provide the necessary support in order to stage events like this which will continue to raise the level in Gozo and give importance to our heritage”. He joined Minister Bonnici and thanked everyone who contributed so that this event could be possible.
The Chairperson of Festivals Malta Aaron Zahra also spoke and praised the creative team behind this production. “The creative team for this opera includes some of the best names in the artistic world, such as Denise Mulholland, who will be directing the opera, Luke Azzopardi, the costume designer, and Anthony Ebejer Bonnici, who will be designing the set. This production includes local and international talents, with the participation of Miriam Cauchi as Teresa, Andrés Moreno Garcia as Rosario, Louis Andrew Cassar as Cirillo and Illyas Sultana as Nello among others”.
This opera will be the culmination of a three-year project coordinated by Festivals Malta which was launched in 2020, with an emphasis on the digitization and revival of various works by Maltese composers, which starting from Mro’s masterpieces. Joseph Vella. These works included ‘Uprising’ and ‘Belt Rebbieħa’, both of which were staged in 2021 as part of the Three Palaces Festival, a festival also organized by Festivals Malta.
The CEO of Festivals Malta Frans Agius said that, “As the national agency dedicated to the nurturing and growth of festivals and cultural events in Malta and Gozo, Festivals Malta is committed to preserving the heritage national Maltese and it is its duty to honor Maltese composers, so that this heritage is given the importance and prominence it deserves”.
Mr. Nicholas Vella, son of the late Maestro Vella, expressed that, “It is with great satisfaction and pride that we are celebrating this wonderful occasion; the last musical work of Maestro Joseph Vella, the opera ‘Valeriana’ (Opus 155), which will now be staged in collaboration with Festivals Malta six years after his death. The Maltese music scene will surely continue to be excited by this new work”.
More information is available at valeriana.mt .
