chorus – Page 3 – Mark Bartolo

01/01/201801/10/2019

The Year 2017

Another year has wrapped up … a busy year indeed! It all started with Le Nozze Di Figaro in March across four nights. I then sang in Beethoven’s 9th symphony together with the MPO chorus and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in May. A busy summer with rehearsals for Patience led to two performances of this operetta at the end of summer. In this production I interpreted the role of Major Murgatroyd.

In August I joined The Monteverdi Project, tutored by Mro. Marco Mencoboni, that led to A Christmas Concert with VIBE in December. In September I then sang together with Animae Gospel Choir in Cliff Zammit Stevens Annual Summer Concert ’17. Throughout the year I also sang in various celebrations with St. John’s Co-Cathedral resident choir, Coro Cathedralis.

13/08/201701/10/2019

Summer So Far

It’s been some time since I posted. After Le Nozze di Figaro was over, I started rehearsing for the next musical project, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. On the 9th May I was part of the Malta EU Presidency Choir, who together with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir we sang this beautiful symphony with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the beginning of July rehearsals for Patience commenced; an opera written by Gilbert & Sullivan. This will be my first opera role as General Murgatroyd! Vocal rehearsals progressed well, while staging rehearsals will commence after a short summer break. Patience performances will be at the Salesian Theatre on the 30th September and 1st October.

I have just attended the first 3 master classes with the renowned Marco Mencoboni, a harpsichord & organ player and conductor specialising in Baroque music, as part of The Monteverdi Project. These monthly master classes will lead to a concert on the 21st December.

11/03/201711/03/2017

Le Nozze Di Fogaro

Another opera wrapped up last Monday. Le Nozze Di Figaro rehearsals started back in January leading to four nights of performances at the Manoel Theatre. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mro. Philip Walsh, played the beautiful pieces by Mozart. Nine soloists sang to the accompanied lyrics by Lorenzo Da Ponte. I was part of a 16-piece chorus, with the roles of a footman and a cook.

Le Nozze Di Figaro

Continue reading “Le Nozze Di Fogaro”

23/03/201623/03/2016

Orphée et Eurydice

Three days have passed from our last Orphée et Eurydice performance. Over three months of rehearsals culminating in four exceptional nights at the Manoel Theatre! This was my second experience in an opera chorus, followed by last year’s L’Elisir D’Amore. Directed by Denise Mulholland, with costumes designed by Luke Azzopardi and choir coaching by Geoff Thomas, the opera received quite a number of positive comments. Mro. Philip Walsh directed the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra who played Gluck’s (1859 Berlioz revision) beautiful music. The opera was re-imagined in the Victorian era, with a libretto adapted by Pierre-Louis Moline. It went from Eurydice’s mourning in Act 1, to Orphée’s hell in Act 2, and then to the elysium in Act 3.

Orphée et Eurydice

Continue reading “Orphée et Eurydice”

16/02/201623/03/2016

Orphée et Eurydice – Rehearsals

In a month’s time, I will be on stage together with a 20 strong ensemble and 3 principals (Orphée, Eurydice & Amour), accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. This year’s opera, Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice (1859 Berlioz revision), is directed by Denise Mulholland and will be re-imagined in the Victorian era. Continue reading “Orphée et Eurydice – Rehearsals”