Music plays an important role in Gozo’s cultural life. From village festas in the summer to Christmas masses in winter, and from the carnival celebrations in February to the religious processions at Easter time, you’ll always find music and singing. And there’s plenty of Gozo Nightlife To Keep Young People Dancing throughout the summer months too.
On top of this, Gozo has a rich tradition of hosting a wide range of music events from one-off events and concerts right up to large-scale annual festivals that attract thousands of international visitors each year.
Whatever time of year you book your Gozo holiday you will be able to enjoy a range of live music – from small recitals, to local marching bands, rock concerts, right up to amazing operatic productions.
By the way, when it comes to opera, Gozo has two opera houses (Teatru Astra and Teatru Aurora) who vie each year to put on the best full-length opera. We told the story of this competitive affair in a previous blog post. This rivalry benefits everyone as the three operas produced each year are a highlight of Gozo’s musical repertoire.
In this blog post we take a look at the many musical events that our little island offers – it’s a music lover’s guide to Gozo. We hope this guide will be of use for those of you who are planning an autumn or spring break on Gozo.
Major music festivals on Gozo
If you’re visiting Gozo in the spring, summer or autumn you might like to add tickets to one of our world-class music festivals to your holiday itinerary.
La Boheme
When: Saturday 12 October, 2019
Location: Teatru Aurora, Victoria
The first opera of the 2019 autumn season is being put on by Teatru Aurora. Puccini’s La Boheme is a well-known dramatic piece. Tickets can be purchased online.
Festival Mediterranea 2017 – Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Photo credit: timesofmalta.com
Festival Mediterranea
When: Saturday 19 October – Saturday 30 November, 2019
Location: Various venues in Victoria, Gozo
Organised by Teatru Astra, which in 2018 celebrated it’s 50th anniversary, Festival Mediterranea’s lively programme of classical concerts, recitals and choral works has been attracting huge audiences to Gozo every autumn for 18 years. The highlight of the festival in 2019 is the theatre’s production of Verdi’s popular opera Il Trovatore, which will be performed on Thursday 24 and Saturday 26 October. For tickets: bookings@mediterranea.com.mt
Gaulitana – A Festival of Music
When: Annually – April/May
Location: Various venues across Gozo
Every spring since 2005, Teatru Aurora has organised the Gaulitana Festival – four weeks of lively, varied classical music played all across the island. The festival highlight is a full operatic production featuring the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gaulitanus Choir and international singers. In 2018 it was Bellini’s exciting opera Norma. Enquiries for 2019 can be made by email: gaulitanafestival@gmail.com
Victoria International Arts Festival
When: Annually – June/July
Location: Various venues in Victoria, Gozo
The VIAF is Gozo’s longest-running music festival and in 2019 will mark it’s twenty-second year. Over five weeks every June/July venues across Gozo welcome visitors to hear a diverse range of local and international performers and all for free!
Each year between the opening and closing concerts by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the VIAF presents an extraordinary range of master-classes, talks, and recitals. For more information: info@viaf.org.mt
Qala International Folk Festival, Gozo. Photo credit: via VisitGozo.com
Qala International Folk Festival
When: 20 - 22 September 2019
Location: Qala village square
For three warm autumn evenings the village square of Qala is filled with dancing, singing, music and the colourful traditional costumes of local and international folk groups. The Qala International Folk Festival has been running for 14 years and is organised by the Qala Local
Council with the Qala Menhir Folk Group. For more information: qala.lc@gov.mt
Rock, pop and jazz on Gozo
RockAstra
When: Every June
Location: Republic Street, Victoria
Each spring, Victoria’s Republic Street is the setting for RockAstra – a free music concert, organised by Teatru Astra. It features the theatre’s own La Stella Philharmonic Band who will provide orchestral backing to top local performers as they sing the hits of such famous acts as Pink Floyd, Queen, Bon Jovi and The Beatles plus songs from popular musicals.
Leone Goes Pop
When: Every June
Location: It-Tokk – Independence Square, Victoria
Teatru Aurora hosts a popular free open-air band concert to rival RockAstra in early spring called Leone Goes Pop, which has been running for 11 years. The programme includes a variety of the most popular pop and rock classics played by the Leone Band, with guest singers and Teatru Aurora’s youth choir.
Opera vs. Pop, Gozo. Photo by Gordon J Grech
Opera vs. Pop
When: 29th July 2019
Location: Gozo Ministry’s Courtyard, Victoria.
This popular annual event, now in its 12th year, sees The Gozo Youth Orchestra performing a lively programme comprising a mixture of pop tunes and well-known operatic arias, with international singers from both fields. Entrance is by reservation: gozowindbandorchestra@yahoo.co.uk
Mġarr Fridays
When: Every Friday from 12 July – 20 September, 2019
Where: Manoel de Vilhena Street, Mġarr Harbour
Mgarr Fridays sees a range of exciting live music from local performers from choral and jazz music to rock n’ roll every Friday night at Mġarr Harbour. For more information: visitgozo@gov.mt
Rock Legends
When: Thursday 12 September, 2019
Location: Manoel de Vilhena Street, Mġarr Harbour
Rock Legends promises a night of full-on live rock music featuring covers of songs from from Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith. Entrance is free. For more information: visitgozo@gov.mt
Jazz Do Festival
When: Friday 13 September, 2019
Location: Mġarr Harbour
Now in it’s sixth year, Jazz Do is a popular annual festival held in the picturesque surroundings of Mġarr Harbour.
This evening festival features a mix of jazz styles and performers – from emerging talent to established stars. Visitors can wander along the water front enjoying music, food and wine. Entrance is free. For more information: gozoculture@gov.mt
Stage and Proms On The Sea
When: Monday 9 September, 2019
Location: Mġarr Marina
Now in its fifth year, Stage and Proms On The Sea is a visual and musical spectacular concert performed by the Gozo Youth Wind Band. The event is free if you don’t mind standing but for premium VIP seating it’s recommended you make a reservation. Contact: gozowindbandorchestra@yahoo.co.uk
Symphony of Lights, Santa Luċija, Gozo. Photo credit: GozoNews.com
Symphony of Lights
When : 18 October, 2019
Location: Pjazza Santa Luċija, Santa Luċija
This open-air concert has been running for seven years and features music from The Gozo Youth Wind Band with guest singers set against a lively lightshow projected on the buildings surrounding the village square. The grand finale includes a fireworks display. Entrance is free. For more information: kercem.lc@gov.mt
Leone Band in concert
When: Saturday 3 November, 2018
Location: Teatru Aurora, Victoria
This popular annual event encompasses a wide range of music styles from symphonic overtures and opera to favourite film scores. Entrance is free but seating can be reserved. Contact: info@leone.org.mt
Grand Concert by La Stella Philharmonic Band
When: Saturday, 10 November, 2018
Location: Teatru Astra, Victoria
La Stella Philharmonic Band plays a Grand Concert every year to bring the Festival Mediterranea to a traditional close. The concert includes popular concert pieces from a wide range of diverse musical genres. Entrance is free. Contact: info@mediterranea.com.mt
We hope we’ve succeeded in giving you a taste of just some of the musical activities that abound on Gozo. If you’re booking a holiday on Gozo with us, do let us know if we can help you book tickets or reserve seats at any of the musical events that may be on at the time. Our local representatives are more than happy to help provide up-to-date information about what’s on in Gozo.
Ask us for help
Baron Holiday Homes is happy to help you enjoy your holiday on Gozo and we make sure our representative provides you with all the information you need about our in-house services and our wide range of activities on the island so you don’t miss out.
You can contact us by email or by mobile phone (all contact details are provided in each of our properties). Remember – we don’t want to intrude on your holiday but we’re in the background, ready to help with whatever you may need.
Posted in Activity, Family, Music, Things to do
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