Gozo’s opera season is famous for big productions on a small island, and much of the magic comes from the sets. The Scenographer’s Opera is a free exhibition at Teatru Astra in Victoria that brings the work of scenographer Joseph Cauchi out from behind the curtain. It runs daily from Sunday 25 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
What to expect
Joseph Cauchi has designed the stage sets for Teatru Astra’s productions for around 30 years. The exhibition looks back on that work and shows how full-scale opera scenery is planned and built by a local team in Gozo. It is a good chance to see the craft up close: the painting, the carpentry and the clever tricks that turn a theatre stage into a Paris salon or a Japanese house.
Even if you are not an opera fan, the show is interesting for anyone who likes design, theatre or simply wants to know what happens backstage.
Opening hours and entry
- Sunday 25 October: 11am to 9pm
- Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November: 9am to 9pm daily
- Entry: listed as free. We could not confirm whether there is a guided tour or any booking, so simply walk in during opening hours.
Tips for visitors
- Pair it with a performance. Teatru Astra stages Madama Butterfly on 29 and 31 October, so seeing the exhibition first gives you a fresh eye for the sets on the night.
- Gozo’s other opera house, Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, is a few steps down Republic Street; see our guide to La Traviata at the Aurora for how the two theatres differ.
- If you are in Gozo on Friday 30 October with children, the Halloween evening in Nadur is a fun add-on.
- Late afternoon is a nice time to visit, followed by a walk up to the Citadella for sunset.
How to get there
Take the Gozo Channel ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr, or the fast ferry from Valletta. From Mġarr harbour, bus 301 runs to the Victoria bus terminus, and Teatru Astra is about a ten-minute walk up Republic Street (Triq ir-Repubblika). There is paid parking around Victoria, but it fills up in the evenings. For the latest weather and travel notes, check Malta This Week before you go.