Pelopida Opera

Malta's classical music scene is incredibly rich with deep roots in the many churches and their choral traditions. But opera also flourishes, with a strong emphasis on the baroque thanks to the annual festival at the beginning of each year. Singers are often brought in from Italy or elsewhere, as well as the strong home grown talent. And producers are not afraid of unearthing lesser known works such as this one.

Girolamo Abos's opera Pelopida, was originally commissioned and performed in Rome's Teatro Argentina in 1747. This is the first time in living memory that the opera has been performed in its entirety and in costume, rather than as a concert performance.

It is a richly crafted, luxuriant piece with no shortage of arias. The set is also innovative. Ancient Greece is reimagined as a contemporary sculpture museum thanks to designer Anthony Bonnici.

The plot is as complicated as ever. Exiled patriot Pelopida returns to Thebes to defend its liberty. King Creon, seeking reconciliation, decrees that the former tyrant Pisistratus be restored to the throne. Creon's envoy Egisto brings this command before the Theban council, urging obedience. Outraged, Pelopida summons the citizens before the altar of Mars and makes them swear an oath never again to suffer a tyrant's rule. Complex plots ensue.

Strong performances from Valentino Buzza (Pelopida), Filippo Mineccia (Egisto) and Lorrie Garcia (Aspasia). Giulio Prandi conducts with confidence, and Luke Azzopardi carries the costume concepts well.

All this takes quite some time, and is not for the faint hearted, but this was a highly successful production of a rarely done opera.