Bernard A. Vassallo, Swieqi
Restored Opera House is still an option
As for the double site of the destroyed Opera House or Theatre Royal (Teatru Rjal) and of the vast space mistakenly integrated in the project of a new box-like City Gate (Porta Reale, Putirjal), in my view a restored Opera House would still be the best option. If in 1945 this restoration of such as majestic and meaningful building had been undertaken, we wouldn't now be in a quandary, caused by the theatre built in the early 1980s at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
The prestige gained by the city of Valletta, and by Malta, would be well worth the risk of an expensive project of restoring the pre-war opera house. Almost any building would fill this too-long derelict site to some advantage.
I have received a beautiful e-mail listing most world-wide known opera houses: London's Covent Garden, Milan's La Scala, Vienna's Burgtheater, Tunis's opera house built by the French, Buenos Aires's, and last but not least Dresden's Oper or opera house restored to its former grandeur by the DDR's communist regime, and Venice's gutted La Fenice completely restored. Opera houses lend prestige and grandeur to a city and a country.
The opera house in Tunis lends prestige to this city as can be admired by all visitors to this interesting place.
While Renzo Piano is a most valid and inventive architect, Malta has a designer of "classical" buildings including neo-baroque, who can spot architectural flaws from miles away. This is Innocent Centurino, who is known to possess a thorough knowledge of correct styles and details of building and architecture. Why don't the authorities hear his opinion, and appreciate his expertise? He is an asset of which few countries can boast.
I feel that a new Parliament building on the ruined site would be flawed from the start, with the possibility of large political demonstrations putting this hazardous project at risk.
A second use can be found for the theatre at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. And an old, traditional, restored use can be found for our national Opera House. Footing the bill is a problem that can be solved here in Malta, as in so many opera houses on the continents of Europe, Africa and of the Americas.
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Joe Xuereb
Jan 29th 2009, 16:48
Tijatru Rjal? Ma kontx naf li Malta kellha monarkija dak iż-żmien li nbena t-tijatru.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 28th 2009, 23:15
cont./ The Old Opera House site can be razed to the ground. It was commissioned by the British, entrusted to a British architect, in a style that was more and more common in Britain at the time (as elsewhere), built for British officials and visiting royalty (as if they cared for opera) and in keeping with the Anglican Cathedral down the road. Beautiful buildings to be sure but hardly in keeping with what was already there.
Otherwise, the site can see a modern building incorporating the sad remains of the once great building (for its time but modern forward-looking Malta needs something befitting the third millenium) - a token gesture to a once great institution and the horrors of war. The building would be just about right in size for a drama school, a school of dance, recording studios, small scale concerts. The possibilites are endless. And the elderly will come to love a modern theatre, with modern comforts, and accessible, just outside the city walls. I am no architect but I know I good design when I see one and believe in forward-looking regeneration. Is it unrealistic to dream of walking around Baviera and feeling this is Valletta too?
Joe Xuereb
Jan 28th 2009, 22:58
A lot of time and anguishing is being spent on a location for Parliament and an Opera House. And it goes on and on and on with no end in sight. Parliament can surely remain where it is for the time being. The Opera House can be built, outside the city walls. No restrictions, no anguishing about a clash of styles, just a large functional Opera House what acres of space around for sculpture gardens, a theatre archive/museum, true accessibilty. All that is needed is the will, a good plan and the work can start straight away. Just imagine the excitement and sense of relief that this matter will have closure the minute the first stone is laid. The siting of a new House of Parliament, if still deemed necessary, can then be decided upon at leisure. Parliament could be located anywhere but Fort St. Elmo must not be brought into the argument. It is just a beautiful old chestnut that, once brought into play, starts the angst and indecision all over again. Restore the fort, build a new Parliament Building thereabouts taking care not to demolish an already depleted historical area, and get on with it. cont./
Astrid Vella
Jan 28th 2009, 13:08
In actual fact, footing the bill for a new Opera House is not something the Maltese taxpayer would have to face unassisted. If the Government decides its a priority, EU funding can be used for such a cultural project, unlike a Parliament which would not qualify.
As for operational costs, the existing demand from cruise ships which can't be met by either the Manoel or the Med Conference Centre would be matched by tourists who could be attracted by making Malta a cultural hub in the shoulder months.
The elderly also have a huge untapped potential. A great number of elderly people would love to attend the theatre more regularly but are put off by the inaccessibility of both our mail theatres. Having a theatre close to public transport would boost attendance while reducing the number of cars entering Valletta, one of Government's transport priorities.
We must also keep in mind that every Government has the duty to support culture, especially since in our case, such an investment would reap dividends in increased employment in tourism and the performing arts.
Christopher Pollard
Jan 28th 2009, 12:11
"Footing the bill is a problem that can be solved here in Malta" - presumably the taxpayer is expected to fork out. Please read Norman Lebrecht's excellent book on the history of the Royal Opera House in London to get some idea of the size of the bill you are talking about.