Triumphant and intimate in equal measure, Verdi’s
Aida returned to Gozo on 15 October 2022 in a spectacular Franco Zeffirelli production with costumes by Anna Anni, newly adapted for Teatru tal-Opra Aurora by stage director Vivien Hewitt. Colin Attard led the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Aurora Opera Chorus.
The international cast was headlined by Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia (Aida), Antonello Palombi (Radamès) and Belarusian mezzo-soprano Oksana Volkova (Amneris), with Italian baritone Piero Terranova as Amonasro. Sung in Italian, this 2 h 30 min staging focused on the emotional core of Verdi’s grand masterpiece—illuminating the father-daughter bond and the intimate conflicts behind the epic spectacle.
Opera • Staged • New Production
Aida — Giuseppe Verdi
Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, Victoria (Gozo), Malta · Sat 15 Oct 2022 · 19:30
| Work |
Aida, Verdi |
| Company / Venue |
Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, Victoria (Gozo), Malta |
| Date & Time |
Saturday, 15 October 2022 · 19:30 |
| Running Time |
~ 2h 30m |
| Language |
Italian (sung) • Italian (surtitles) |
| Production |
Franco Zeffirelli (sets) • Anna Anni (costumes) • Adaptation by Vivien Hewitt |
| Stage Director |
Vivien Hewitt |
| Conductor |
Colin Attard |
| Ensembles |
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra • Teatru tal-Opra Aurora Chorus |
Cast
| Role |
Artist |
| Aida |
Serena Farnocchia |
| Radamès |
Antonello Palombi |
| Amneris |
Oksana Volkova |
| Amonasro |
Piero Terranova |
| Ramfis |
Vladimir Sazdovski |
| Il Re d’Egitto |
Francesco Leone |
| Una sacerdotessa |
Andriana Yordanova |
Creative Team
| Stage Director |
Vivien Hewitt |
| Conductor |
Colin Attard |
| Set Designer |
Franco Zeffirelli |
| Costume Designer |
Anna Anni |
| Orchestra |
Malta Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Chorus |
Teatru tal-Opra Aurora Chorus |
About this Production
Verdi’s monumental Aida returned to Gozo on 15 October 2022 in a production that married grandeur and intimacy.
Franco Zeffirelli’s celebrated designs and Anna Anni’s costumes framed Vivien Hewitt’s fresh adaptation for the Aurora stage,
highlighting the human story within the epic spectacle of Ancient Egypt.
Colin Attard led the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Aurora Opera Chorus, with Serena Farnocchia (Aida),
Antonello Palombi (Radamès), Oksana Volkova (Amneris) and Piero Terranova (Amonasro).
Sung in Italian with Italian surtitles, the performance ran approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Notes: Venue also styled “Teatru Aurora / Aurora Opera House (Gozo)”. All names and credits verified against official production materials.
