Vincent A. Galea, Għaxaq
Voices of the people on the Opera House (3)
This present Opera Site saga cannot but bring to mind ex-Minister Lorry Sant, who unlike the present ado, without any fuss, transformed the Sacra Infermeria into the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The outside of this historic edifice was left untouched but inside was transformed into a veritable and working gem. If memory serves me well, no foreigners were involved and all the work was done by his Public Works Ministry.
Practically across the road lies St Elmo. Having the outside returned to its pristine glory, and modernising the beautiful internal areas can easily convert this extraordinary building into a House of Parliament to challenge Westminster! Very spacious, easily accessible along Marsamxett, with breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour, no parking problems, and without the restrictions and crowded atmosphere that is presently Freedom Square.
That, and the rebuilding of the Barry Opera House, would have returned the soul and spirit that Valletta sighs for and that has been lacking for a very long time.
I hope that because I mentioned Mr Sant, what could be good ideas will not be discarded outright. But are we that childish?! And I do not have red tinted lenses like I was accused of on one of the timesofmalta.com blogs recently! I wear glasses and they are white!
Finally, may I congratulate The Times and say thank you for giving people a voice which normally they would not have.
But are the comments that follow the stories in The Times read by the authorities? If not, why not? What do they have to fear? Does the DOI still read the papers and pass everything that appears to the ministries and departments concerned? It is much easier now with the miracle of cut and paste and e-mails!
If they do, it is there in black and white. The people, and prominent ones too, have voted and the majority are in favour of the rebuilding of the Opera House according to the original Barry plans. Why be obstinate?
Let no one forget that it is the citizen who will have the final say, and indeed the last laugh, when the time of judgment arrives! And it will arrive! June 6 is a harsh reminder!
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a montebello
Jul 1st 2009, 18:33
I'm sorry... but is everyone here and internationally recognized, MULTI-award winning architect?
As expected... Renzo Piano has presented his designs, and all the experts have crawled out from under their rocks to knock everything.
Anne Marie Kissaun
Jun 30th 2009, 23:13
Well, in my opinion, the design is just a load of stone structure put together for both the Opera House and Parliament. Not good enough for such an old city like Valetta. Such a heritage. Open theatre!!!!!!! and what about the winter season, do we then have to take our umbrellas!!!!!!! I still think that Parliament should not be at the entrance of the City, the square should be given a face lift, as is being done at St. George's Square, and that's it. Having two prominent buildings so close to each other will suffocate the entrance completely. I sincerely hope that this is not a final plan, as I am sure the design can be improved especially the OPERA HOUSE.
Joseph Tanti
Jun 30th 2009, 17:22
Did anyone mentioned Solar Panels and energy savers? Where the blazes are they? Has anyone seen something similar to solar panels on the new Parliament Block? Or perhaps I'm wrong, I believe those small rectangles in the diagrams are solar panels otherwise who is going to pay for the flood lighting and the inner parliament light flooding.......our taxes?
Galea. L
Jun 30th 2009, 15:57
T Mifsud
A photo published last week if I remember correctly showed similar structures exactly on the same spot. Maybe slightly different but very similar, the difference being that there was the stairs on both sides.
T Mifsud
Jun 30th 2009, 12:27
Dr Gonzi and the PN will be remembered as the only administration that has done something of deserved dignity to Valletta.
Oh sorry .... I forgot to mention the other administration that has done something as well for Valletta ... in the name of those labour flats that are built over our heritage but are now in the primest position ever. The style contrast says it all!
D Vella
Jun 30th 2009, 11:38
This Prime Minister will go down in the history books,but not in the way he'd like to be remembered I'm sure.He will be remembered for the debacle of the Opera House.
J.Borg
Jun 30th 2009, 10:51
haven't anyone noticed yet.....tha since the PN is in government it moved to abolish from our history everything that labour built and did......parlalment is a case in point.
If my thoughts help me all that remain which past labour governments did are BOV, Enemalta and Airmalta.....
Also, GONZIPN said this project is to be finished in this legisleture....so that he will end his term by opening the new parlament and theathre before he reires from politics.
It also comes to my mind...during election will he howl that he gave us a state of the art parlament like mater dei!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Galea. L
Jun 30th 2009, 10:14
Vincent A. Galea
You are right, but how else could Gonzi write down his name in history with Renzo Piano as the second destroyers of our Capital City's entrance, a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen?
The First destroyer was the PN Government that in 1963 regaled Malta with the Fascist style City garage Gate.
a montebello
Jun 30th 2009, 09:40
Mr Galea,
Don't you think its a bit much to "threaten" the Government with "the judgement of the people"? Its been a tad overused a bit now, don't you think?.
You praise Lorry Sant for transforming the Sacre Infermeria "without any fuss" - I'm sorry to pop your bubble, but the MCC is RIFE with problems and limitations: acoustics are disastrous, there are limited backstage facilities, and there is no space to fly in scenery.
I'm sorry, Mr Galea, but "the people", as you put it, have NOT voted in their majority. Where did you get that sweeping information from? As for prominent people speaking up, the Times quoted internationally-acclaimed architects Richard England and Conrad Thake as describing the plans as "wonderful" and "genius".
The Barry theatre is gone for good, and its time to look forward. Rebuilding the old designs would smack of artificiality - like having a Regency bureau made by Ikea. Its not real. It never will be.
I'm not sure whether the roofless structure is the best idea for the theatre.... but its certainly a step in the right direction.