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Wednesday, May 23, 2001
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Verdi Centenary Celebrated In Gozo |
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Gerald Fenech (The Malta Independent) |
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The Verdi centenary has created a multitude of interest around the island and the tangible fruit of all this activity has been an interesting number of concerts. The newly established Classique Foundation recently presented a concert at the Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria featuring various vocal, instrumental and choral works under the able baton of the young Joseph Debrincat, and featuring soloists Rita Dimech, Joseph Aquilina and Noel Galea together with a specially prepared orchestra and choir.
The concert began with a dramatic rendition of the Giovanna d’Arco overture followed by Rita Dimech’s charismatically paced, Pace, pace, mio Dio from La Forza del Destino. Joseph Aquilina sang O Figli…Ah, la paterna mano from Macbeth with aplomb although his diction suffered slightly towards the end. I was impressed by Noel Galea’s singing in Tu sul labbro de’ veggenti from Nabucco whilst the Coro del crociati from I Lombardi sparkled with vivacity and good humour as demonstrated by the choir’s full throated singing.
Rita Dimech was in top form in Tacea la notte placida from Il Trovatore and the same could be said of Joe Aquilina’s cajoling colourful La donna e’ mobile from Rigoletto. Noel Galea’s singing in Infelice! E tu credevi was also of a high standard and one had to admire the orchestra’s supportive stance as conducted by Debrincat. The famous Caro dei Zingari was well executed as was Aquilina’s palpably beautiful Ingemisco from the Requiem. Debrincat conducted the Nabucco overture with fire and passion while the first duet on offer, Parigi o cara, noi lasceremo from La Traviata was moderately executed by Dimech and Aquilina, the latter suffering from some slight lack of co-ordination at the beginning.
Galea did not throw in the towel in the imposing Come dal ciel precipita from Macbeth while Dimech’s Addio del passato was interpreted with just the right dose of mournful sorrow. The choir was on top form in the Hebrews’ Chorus, better known as the Va Pensiero from Nabucco while the concluding duet, Libiamo ne lieti calici had just the right dose of drama for a thrilling conclusion to what was indeed a splendid concert. Joseph Debrincat conducted all pieces with understanding and clarity while the soloists were on consistent good form. Verdi was certainly well served here in the Gozo Oratory. |
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