The Gozo Youth Orchestra within The Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra kickstarts its annual summer events with the 16th edition of Opera vs Pop Under the Stars. This highly anticipated orchestral music galore spectacle will be held once again at the Ġgantija Archaeological Park on Monday 29th July 2024 at 8.30pm.

This year’s edition will include guest singer Pamela Cibrano (New York, US), the original soprano who took part in the first 12 editions of this annual concert event. She will join our present resident soprano Nicola Said (Malta/UK) and guest soprano Francesca Power (UK). Resident singers Bass Noel Galea (Gozo, Malta), Pop Tenor Ludwig Galea (Malta) and Pop Singer Sarah Bonnici (Gozo, Malta) as well as upcoming musical theatre singer Tara Azar (UK) will team up to present an astounding evening in the unique setting of Ġgantija.

The concert consists of arias, duets and orchestral excerpts from the opera world in the first part, while shifting to a lighter style repertoire spanning from musical theatre, soundtracks and pop music in the second part of the evening. The Gozo Youth Orchestra will be under the direction of its founder and musical director Mro Dr Joseph Grech.

Ever since its inception in 2002, The Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra, consisting of two separate groups of young and promising musicians, have been entertaining the general public with a wide range of stylistic repertoire to the enjoyment of all age groups. Hailing from all over Gozo and enriched with proficient guest musicians including foreigners residing on the island, these young musicians meet regularly to prepare a wide spectrum of musical genre to be performed in various high-calibre events held from time to time in Gozo and Malta.

The whole concept behind this project, originating after a successful tour by The Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band & Orchestra in 2001, besides creating the opportunity for young talented musicians to perform in a collective, is to create a new approach to concert performances by similar ensembles, and to explore innovative ways of presenting its performances.

As in previous years, this event is held in conjunction with the US Embassy to Malta and under the distinguished patronage of Ms Constance J. Milstein, U.S. Ambassador to Malta. A limited number of places are available (on a first-come-first-served basis) and special logistic arrangements are being adhered to safeguard this historical site.

Booking for this event is now open, and one can obtain more information by visiting the Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra website or Facebook page.

This event was made possible through the assistance of: Cultural Heritage Directorate; Ministry for Gozo and Planning; U.S. Embassy Malta;  Heritage Malta; Ministry for the National Heritage, The Arts and Local Government; Malta Tourism Authority; Malta International Airport; General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd;  The Duke Boutique Hotel;  Paul Stellini Design Studio.

The Gozo Youth Orchestra also reminds its followers of upcoming events planned for the remainder of 2024, namely:

• Stage & Proms on the Sea at the Mġarr Marina by the Gozo Youth Wind Band on Monday 16th September 2024 at 8.30pm with Ludwig Galea and Rachel Fabri
• Rock and Pop Classics of the 80’s & 90’s – a spectacular rock orchestral concert on Saturday 12th October at MCC in Valletta
• Gala Performances of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber on Saturday 23rd November at Aurora Theatre Victoria, Gozo

Will you be attending Opera vs Pop?