George Owen, London
A trust to run the opera house (3)
Three years ago (October 30, 2005) The Sunday Times published a letter of mine about restoring the Royal Opera House after more than 60 years as a wartime bombsite. At that time, I was on a visit to Malta with a cruise ship and as an opera singer myself I was disappointed to see the old theatre in its forlorn state.
Although Malta has now joined the EU and looks forward to continued economic growth, no progress has been made on the opera house site.
Malta plans to attract more international financial services and create a higher cultural model. What better emblem of this cultural revival could there be than an international opera house which would capitalise on Malta's historic status as the strategic Mediterranean hub and thereby act as a positive link with the European and north African economies?
It would certainly be unfortunate if this important site became the location for the proposed expansion of Italian supermarkets or something similar. A blot of this kind would by no means enhance Valletta's current status as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Instead, the restored opera house would be a worthy platform for the celebration of local talent, such as soprano Miriam Gauci and tenor Joseph Calleja.
Looking on from the distant viewpoint of London I can certainly see the positive role a restored opera house would play in Malta's future and I hope it will not be a further three years before someone recognises this and takes action.
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julian zarb
Jan 25th 2009, 16:52
Mr. Galea, I think that you should refer to the photos taken in the fifties and see just how much of the theatre was actually destroyed.....there were also war damage funds specifically for that project so i do not think the concept (much as it is to be applauded) of housing was an issue....perhpas there was some hidden agenda we may get to know now that the years have passed......let us wait and see the real reason.....Julian Zarb Tourism journalist and media presenter
lgalea
Jan 25th 2009, 15:52
Julian Zarb
Why try to mislead the people Julian.
The reports and photos in the press clearly show that it was destroyed by the German Luftwaffe.
In the 50s there was much more important rebuilding to do to house the population rather than rebuild the opera house.
Those were the priorities and they were right or would you have a massive swathe of the population living in the streets just to rebuilt the opera house instead?
I am sure that even if he built the opera house first you would still criticize him for lack of conscience for leaving the people homeless.
The PN was for years in government, yet did not lift a finger to do it in spite of promises in every election Julian.
It is only now trying to turn it into a parliament where Gonzipn can continue to carry out his theatrics which he seems very fond of.
Julian Zarb
Jan 25th 2009, 10:19
I would totally agree with this reader. The Opera House is certainly a blot on our past; especially when one considers that it was TOTALLY destroyed by a Maltese premier who was hell bent on wiping out any sign of our heritage in the 1950's! Today, i think we have a chance of rebuilding this opera house (certainly with enhancements that make it better and more economical) leaving Barry's original design intact.if this was possible in london for the Globe then surely we could create a foundation that can seek support from the population of the islands, the thousands upon thousands of emigrants overseas and the friends of the isalnds. But for goodness sake let us do something instead of talking, we have this knack of what Sir Humpphrey aptly described as : Creative intertia, in other words we do nothing but moan and moan and bemoan our past, our present and our future...like some scene from a Greek Tragedy! Get a move on Malta! Julian Zarb Tourism Journalist and Media Presenter