Here’s what Gozo’s Astra Theatre Looked Like Back In The Day

As Gozo’s Opera Month enters its final week, historic photographs offer a glimpse into the construction of the Astra Theatre in Victoria, which celebrates 58 years since its inauguration.

The theatre will host two performances of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly on Thursday 29 and Saturday 31 October, bringing this year’s Opera Month to a close.

Built by the La Stella Philharmonic Society, construction began in 1965 under the leadership of Paul M. Cassar. The project cost approximately £55,000 and was made possible through donations and the voluntary work of the society’s members and supporters.

The theatre was built behind an existing building on Republic Street, which continued to serve as the La Stella band club. Its imposing façade, designed by renowned Maltese artist Frank Portelli, was completed in the early 1980s.

The Astra was officially inaugurated on 20 January 1968 by Prime Minister Dr Giorgio Borg Olivier and blessed by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Joseph Pace. Its opening performance was the operetta Il Cuore di Ben.

The theatre hosted operettas, concerts, plays and cinema screenings before beginning its operatic tradition in September 1978 with Verdi’s Rigoletto and Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

On 8 November 2003, a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the building. Following reconstruction, the theatre reopened on 27 October 2005 with Puccini’s La Bohème, featuring Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja.

Today, the Astra remains a key cultural venue in Gozo, continuing its longstanding operatic tradition with this week’s performances of Madama Butterfly.

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Source: Gozo Album