An emergent Argentine star for Falstaff
As we leaf another calendar page and embrace October, Falstaff at the Aurora Opera House ushers in the opera season.
With a few days remaining to the single-performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s commedia lirica, two days on the composer’s 200th birthday, Saturday, October 12 at 7.30pm, the Aurora Opera House will have Leonardo López Linares in the title role of Falstaff.
This announcement comes after Paolo Gavanelli had to cancel his appearance due to an unfortunate accident, which left the Italian baritone unable to travel to honour his commitment.
Thus, the administration of Gozo’s largest opera house, went on to secure the services of this emergent Argentine star. He is a household name in one of Italy’s most lavish opera venues – the Verona Arena, where he has interpreted the main baritone roles of grand operas like Turandot, Madame Butterfly, Nabucco and Aida.
He debuted as Falstaff in 2011 at the Verona Philharmonic, a role for which he has earned special merit. This guarantees a homogeneous and equally world-class cast. Suffice it to say that LópezLinares performed Falstaff in Verona alongside Elisabetta Fiorillo, who will also be one member of the main cast at the Aurora.
The Aurora Theatre is offering a very limited number of seats for students at a discounted rate of €20. At present, regular tickets may be purchased online from www.teatruaurora.com, but such tickets have to be booked and requested either via email on info@leone.org.mt or by calling the box office on 21559452. On the night, holders of student-tickets need to present student identification in order to be granted access with such tickets. Otherwise, the tickets have to be redeemed in full.
Furthermore, as is customary, the Aurora Theatre is providing a minibus shuttle service from the Gozo ferry terminal to the theatre (after the ferry which leaves Malta at 6pm) and back right after the performance.
This means that opera patrons may take the ferry as foot passengers, leaving their vehicles parked at the Ċirkewwa terminal. This service is free of charge, but patrons who wish to avail themselves of it are asked to request the service via email on info@leone.org.mt or by calling the administration office on 21562974.
Falstaff will be the last opera at the Aurora held under the patronage of President George Abela, who will also be in attendance. It will be held in honour of the late Colin Best, former honorary patron of the Aurora Theatre and avid supporter of the arts at the Aurora, who passed away in February, 2013.