Gandini's assistants on a working visit at Teatru Astra ahead of opera.

Teatru Astra is currently hosting Marco Gandini’s assistants; Mauro Tinti and Luca Canfora, ahead of the opera La Traviata of the next 28 and 30 October.  Marco Gandini, whose much acclaimed CV includes many years of assistance to world-renowned Franco Zeffirelli has been entrusted by Teatru Astra with the production of the next opera.

Gandini's direction and the sketchy ideas he already divulged in an interview with Kenneth Zammit Tabona on The Times, earlier in August, have aroused significant interest in La Traviata.  Mauro Tini who is overseeing the scenery and props and Luca Canfora whose remit includes costumes have been busy discussing with the Teatru Astra's resident production team and festival committee the progress on the works being carried out.

Tiniti and Canfora are keeping Marco Gandini posted about the status of preparations with respect to the plans which where set earlier in June this year.  Works on the sets and costumes have progressed steadily over the last weeks and currently Teatru Astra's back stage department is bustling with work and activity, whilst the booking office is handling a constant request for information on the opera and subsequent bookings.

Joseph Cauchi is scenic artist and Carmel Zammit, assisted by Emmanuel John Farrugia, is the Stage Manager.Costumes will be in the hands of Emanuel Grima and George Farrugia. The festival committee is holding regulary meetings to coordinate the current works and other logistics.

The booking for the highlight of this year's ninth edition of Festival Mediterranea has been open since October 2009.  For more details contact us on: [email protected]  and helpdesk numbers; (+356) 21550985/ 99883007.

17-09-2010