Date of Concert: Friday 20 December 2019 at 20.00
Name :    Opera at Christmastime –  soprano Dorothy Bezzina
and tenor Alan Sciberras
Venue:                St. Augustine Priory Valletta

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Opera at Christmastime

Operatic arias and Christmas carols will be the highlight of the concert to be held at St. Augustine Priory in Valletta. Barocco Foundation is proud to present soprano Dorothy Bezzina and tenor Alan Sciberras accompanied by pianist Ramona Zammit Formosa

This magical event will enthral all opera lovers as the programme includes some of the world’s most loved operatic arias and Italian melodious stunning songs by Giacomo Puccini, Strauss and De Curtis. The fabulous repertoire includes splendid excerpts from Puccini’s ‘La Boheme’ and Tosca as well as songs by Strauss and the nostalgic songs by Eduardo di Capua, namely Non ti Scordar di me and O Sole Mio. 

The Christmas magic sets in with various songs that are synonymous with Christmas. These include A White Christmas, O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High and Adeste Fideles.  Extraordinary pianist Ramona Zammit Formosa will accompany the singers and play melodious interludes.

The concert will be held in the priory’s Portrait Gallery, an impressive hall which is adorned with a number of interesting portraits, showcasing the Augustinian’s interesting, rich past. 

Proceeds from Opera at Christmastime will go to the restoration project of the Augustinian Monastery. Tickets can be obtained from the venue itself half an hour before the concert begins or by sending an email. For more details phone 7968 0952 or email: baroccomalta@gmail.com

Dorothy Bezzina

Dorothy Bezzina is a classically trained singer studying with Soprano Miriam Cauchi. Her vocal flexibility allows her to perform across a number of genres. She is a regular performer in various annual and commemorative concerts. She also performs in private concerts and musico-literary events at some of Malta’s most prestigious venues. Notable events include performances during CHOGM 2015, a concert for HRH Prince Edward in 2012, as part of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Forum, and singing the National Anthem during the Oath of Office of H.E. The President of Malta, in 2014. She has also enjoyed several other performing opportunities in Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Royal Albert Hall in London, alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Dorothy has worked as artistic director and vocal coach for several locally-produced events. She has also produced and directed her own series of concerts, paying homage to Malta’s popular songs in Maltese, in collaboration with Teatru Manoel.

Dorothy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Maltese and English, a Postgraduate Diploma in Interpreting and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Malta. She has also completed her Masters in English through the University of Nottingham on a scholarship. And also, a second Masters in Popular Music within the Department of Maltese at the University of Malta.

Alan Sciberras

Promising Maltese tenor Alan Sciberras, started singing as a soloist at an early age in a children’s choir ‘Angel Voices’. He began playing several musical instruments, such as violin and trumpet.

Under the tuition of mezzo-soprano Ms. Beatrice Brockdorff, he performed singing exams with the Royal School of Music. Locally he won various singing competitions and performed on many occasions with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. 

Alan, who holds a Masters’ Degree in Nursing Studies and Management from the University of Malta, started his career as an opera singer in 2016, under the guidance of Dr. Andriana Yordanova.  Since then he took part in Master classes with Miriam Gauci, Gioacchino Jack Li Vigni, Carlos Kenaniah Conde, Nelly Miricioiu-Kirk, David Gowland and Salvatore Fisichella. In July 2017 he made his debut as Rodolfo in La Boheme of Puccini in Sicily (Teatro Eschilo, Gela) while taking part in the Mediterranean Opera Studio & Festival.

In September 2017 he performed for world renowned Italian baritone Leo Nucci, who received the coveted Premio Illica d’Oro in Castell’ Arquato. During the same year, together with soprano Yoan-Sook Lee, he performed as a soloist during the concert Classics Under the Stars.

In 2018, Alan was chosen by the High Commission of Malta in the United Kingdom to participate as a solo vocalist during an event in London to mark Valletta hosting the title of the European Capital of Culture 2018. In the same year, he took part as a main soloists in the opera by Dr. Reuben Pace “City of Humanity 1 – Behind the Fortifications”. This was the first Maltese Opera in a cycle of three. 

Alan is being graciously supported by the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation.

Ramona Zammit Formosa

Ramona Zammit Formosa commenced her pianoforte studies in Malta with Fay Griscti Davies, in Holland with Prof Marcel Baudet, then in London with Byrce Morrison. She also studied the flute with Douglas Townshend and harpsichord with Helena Mowatt Brown. Besides the Renaissance and Baroque period, Ramona also specialized in 20th century and contemporary works for the harpsichord. On returning to Malta Ramona continued studying the pianoforte repertoire with her mentor, artist and musician Pawlu Grech.  During the Biennale held in Malta in June 2005, Ramona gave the first-ever performance on the clavichords built by Dr.George Debono. Together with her husband Silvio Zammit, she has recorded CD s featuring works by Maltese composers Carmelo Pace and Charles Camilleri, and 18th and 19th century Malta-related compositions together with the Gukulari ensemble. She has recently recorded a solo album with the piano compositions of Carmelo Pace.

Besides giving numerous recitals in Malta and Gozo, Ramona has performed in England, Italy, Austria, Hungary, USA, Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal and Poland. She has dedicated entire solo recitals to the great keyboard masters; Rameau, J S Bach, CPE Bach, Reggio, Mozart, Grieg, Liszt, and Granados.

Ramona is a Fellow of the London College of Music and teaches at the Malta School of Music.

Proceeds from Opera at Christmastime will go to the restoration project of the Augustinian Monastery. Tickets can be obtained from the venue itself half an hour before the concert begins or by sending an email. For more details phone 7968 0952 or email: baroccomalta@gmail.com