Gozo’s amazing cultural diversity
Do you think laid-back Gozo is not for you because you tend to get bored with total relaxation and a daily beach or poolside routine? Then this post is for you!
The cultural scene on Gozo might come as a surprise to you, given the size of the island, and the variety of tastes and ages it caters for is truly astonishing. We illustrate for you a case in point: this weekend, the last one of October.
Glamour
Opera lovers were treated to an outstanding performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Astra Theatre, featuring both local and international stars. By the way, little Gozo has not only one, but two opera houses vying for music lovers’ attention year after year! In fact, bookings are already open for George Bizet’s Carmen, which will be offered in October 2010 by the Aurora Theatre!
Some of the staff of the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz joined hundreds of enthusiasts, who welcomed the opportunity to enjoy a glamorous musical night out.
Here is what some of them had to say:
Cindy, HR & Training Manager at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz: “Outstanding performance, impressive setting and very emotional! Very much looking forward to next year…!”
Tanja: “It was a perfect evening! The Astra Theater with more than 1.000 seats is something you wouldn’t expect on such a tiny island. The atmosphere was outstanding and the opera itself simply breathtaking. Once more the proof that Gozo has a thousand facets, and every day you can discover something new!”
Stephanie: “I was amazed by the performance of the artists and just got goose bumps when Antonino Interisano alias “the Duke” started the first strophe of “La Donna e mobile”… I was still singing it when going to bed! Two hours of completely drifting away in the tragical world of Rigoletto and Gilda… Unforgettable!”
Events for all ages
Those holidaying with their kids might not be particularly keen on theatre or opera visits. Families (though children in tow are not a necessity!) will enjoy the numerous cultural events that are frequently organised all the year round by the various villages of Gozo and are usually free of charge . The local council of San Lawrenz is particularly active in this respect, and for guests staying at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz it doesn’t take more than a few minutes’ walk to be part of the crowd! Last night’s D Link event, staged in the beautiful church square of San Lawrenz, was organised in the context of the European Year for Creativity and Innovation.
Pop Music
Live music performances always plays an essential role in these activities. Last night Ruth Sammut Casingena vowed the audience by offering a thrilling melange of her impeccable soprano voice with pop as well as traditional songs. Enchanting!
Alternative Music
And then there is one of Gozo’s finest ‘exports’… Chasing Pandora have begun their career a few years ago in their home island, but their fame has reached far beyond Gozo’s shores and they are currently becoming a household name even in the UK! Appealing to a wide audience, Chasing Pandora’s music is an amazing treat, and especially so when enjoyed under a starlit sky!
Gozo welcomes its guests with open arms, 365 days a year. With this post we gave you a cursory glimpse of one autumn weekend, a time when much of Europe is steeped in drab, wet weather… Have we succeeded in setting your mood for your next Mediterranean vacation?
