Old opera house remnants scattered across the island

cecil herbert jones

Jul 9th 2009, 20:24

@Raymond Sammut
Yes you have some valid points there, but the danger of losing the city's integrity is also a good point. We have to remember Valletta is not ours, we are just custodians of it, just like every fine art in our museum. We cannot and should not make radical changes in its structure based on our needs. I know this is difficult to digest but we have to accept it. Valletta doesn't belong to the shop owners, it doesn't belong to the residents, and it doesn't belong to the will of parliament either. It belongs to the Knights of the Order of St John. What has been lost has to be reconstructed as faithfully as possible to the original and authentic design of Laparelli. Porta San Giorgio has to be reconstructed. this restoration project will win the respect of the entire cultured world, and it doesn't matter whether the new work will not look so old, because the integrity of Valletta will be holistic, demanding respect. Our needs come second in this case, I am sorry.
The Royal Opera house Theatre should be rebuilt to its original spec, only inside the theatre should cater for our needs

Guze Xerri

Jul 9th 2009, 16:58

@ cecil herbert jones,

Plans of Valletta do exist in pieces from different eras.
These can be found in national libraries and archives and also in private hands
These can be in Malta , Italy, France, Spain and even in Russia.
The Vatican Library is rumored to be a likely place to find plans of Valletta, but this is conjecture, albeit good conjecture.

The original Valletta city gate was Porta San Giorgio by Laparelli, this was replaced in 1632 by a larger more ornate city gate designed by Tommaso Dingli.
This in turn was razed for the much loved 1853 Col. Thompson city gate.
Finally this one too was demolished in 1964 for the present uncomplete modern Italianate monstrosity of a city gate.

As Mr. Scerri said the original gate would be too small for use today or even in the 17th century when the population of Malta was a fraction of what it is today.
The first three gates were designed as genuine military gates and their function was to allow limited access to the walled city& could be closed in time of siege.
Walled cities from a military standpoint became obsolete with aerial warfare.

C. Scerri

Jul 9th 2009, 07:28

@ cecil herbert jones

The pre 19th Century gate would have been too small for today's needs, apart from the fact that it would be a fake 16ht century gate built in the 21st century.

cecil herbert jones

Jul 9th 2009, 00:37

@Guze Xerri
Are there original plans of Valletta possibly archived somewhere perhaps in Rome or elsewhere, can you take a wild guess? If there are those plans would reveal the authentic city gate.

L. Gauci

Jul 8th 2009, 19:53

Since so many parts of the opera house are still available, why can't it be rebuilt on its original plan. The foundations are there and many parts can be retrieved. So much money can be saved by building it exactly as it was, with, maybe, some improvements. Although I am an opera-lover, I cannot imagine myself attending any cultural production in an open-air venue. There are so many disadvantages to the plan we are being offered. I think it should be drastically reviewed.

Raymond Sammut

Jul 8th 2009, 19:49

It would be, in my view, an error to re-build the original Barry design. People today (let alone tomorrow) would be intolerant of the ambiance. One has to take into consideration how costly it would be even just to maintain the right temperature in the old Barry design. People's expectations in modern times are very high. Just think, for example, of what has happened to old style cinema theatres. They are now museums, most of which have been dismantled altogether.

After some thought, it should not be hard to realise that what Piano is proposing is shrewd and not just surreal and original. His design will look far from like an "aquarium". A combination of glass and steel can produce some startling results which would make Malta's national theatre unique. Embed the Barry pieces, wherever these can be retrieved from, and Malta should end up with something truly extraordinary. It will take a long time with some people for the concept to sink in, but eventually the new Piano auditorium will become accepted universally. An open-air theatre would be suited to Malta's benign climate, and it would be truly a plebeian theatre; no class division, no gods or underlings.

j n ebejer

Jul 8th 2009, 19:15

How about retreving other more important artefacts which have gone missing or protecting what lies in Maltese territorial waters or maybe start compiling inventories of artefacts in all our museums and other sites?

Ruins of the theatre have a value -only it is relative to other artefacts which are far more important and precious .

P.Cassar

Jul 8th 2009, 19:02

@G.Pace
Your own words defeat your argument because if Barry's was incompatible how much so would be an oversized aquarium???

Guze Xerri

Jul 8th 2009, 17:27

@cecil herbert jones,

The earliest photographs of Valletta that I seen are from the mid 1840s.

These are calotypes ( positives prints from paper negatives ) taken by Rev. Calvert Jones, a family relative of the famous British photography pioneer Henry Fox Talbot and Calotype Prints of the Valletta harbour by a young well to do Scottish army officer surnamed Dunlop.

None of these views are of the city gate of the 1840s

I am sure that photos of the Kingsway city gate before the 1853 Col. Thompson gate exist somewhere.
I seen a rough sketch of the pre 1853 city gate ( which was the second one built by the way) in the Heritage magazine series that was published in Malta in the 1980s/early 90s.

Dunstan Crockford

Jul 8th 2009, 16:43

Quite a few of the remnants were brought to St.Michael`s College way back in the 60`s! Since the Libyans were given the place I wonder whether they got rid of them since!

Danika Vella

Jul 8th 2009, 16:38

Maybe this is a little late... but how about rebuilding the missing parts with glass? including the roof. Then Renzo's dream will come true, and those who would prefer a roof will have it.

and about the missing parts found in private households... these should be returned and no penalties placed on these individuals... as long as they return them.

cecil herbert jones

Jul 8th 2009, 16:29

@Julian Zarb

Yes lets do something about this long long overdue restoration. Alas however the cancer grew manifest and doubt restoration is possible. So far therefore I agree, we should go ahead now before interference wins the day. But not at the cost of €80 million of the Maltese tax-payer's money plus many many more years of being lumped with a design that will manifest in a very big stone structure.

I have a feeling that by just building something that is an exact replica of what was won't have much of a distinct 'showcase' value to capitalise politically upon. Lets face it after all, cleaning only shows when its not done. By intervening starkly the effort can be easily framed.

I don't wish my comments to be interpreted politically, that is in a partisan way, but it takes a political decision to go in the right or wrong direction, in something of this magnitude. So lets hold a referendum before we spend €80 million and four years of inconvenience!

Galea. L

Jul 8th 2009, 16:02

grace muscat
I agree with you.
The Government should give a time limit to return the objects and anything found after the time limit should entail a very hefty fine.
Those who know about any remains should inform the media as was done in this instance.
It is OUR PUBLIC property as Maltese citizens.

Victor Laiviera
Thanks for an excellent link that shames those who say they do not want a replica.

Ian Waugh

Jul 8th 2009, 15:28

Julian Zarb:

Thanks for responding to my 'comment' here. The best way to contact regarding the history section of maltaoperahouse.com is info@maltaoperahouse.com. The Zavellani Rossi details sound very interesting as well as the Victorian guide books.

Perhaps you could be so kind as to email me and we can discuss this further.
___________________________________

The fact that the current bomb site will continue to have theatre status is great news as I am sure many will agree. Thousands of Maltese on Facebook and through my website displayed their determination regarding this issue.

Its alleged (through news reports) that it was in fact Renzo Piano who changed the PM's mind, which seems a bit of a shame that it wasn't actually the people of Malta - but we are just pleased that its theatre and not parliament that will sit on that famous site. I wonder if that story is true - but why let the facts get in the way of a good story!

Incidentally .... when is opening night ?

cecil herbert jones

Jul 8th 2009, 15:24

@Guze Xerri

The city gate before the one that is there right now was also a 19th century structure.
It was built in 1853 to the design of a Col. Thompson of the Royal Engineers.

Then every effort should be made to rebuild the city gate to its original 16th century specs. I'm sure it will fetch many millions of Euros in revenue for our country from foreign feature film producers/directors who would surely be inspired to utilise the scenery. Are there any designs or even photos of the original gate and draw-bridge? Thank you for your observation made above, I didn't know that and so I stand corrected.

George Pace

Jul 8th 2009, 14:30

@P Cassar. No,I am not insulted. I would be ,if site is constructed in incompatible Barry style.

Kevin Zammit

Jul 8th 2009, 14:14

A decorative keystone is the pride and joy of a greasy garage overlooking a quarry limits of Zurrieq ... the list would be endless :)

Guze Xerri

Jul 8th 2009, 14:10

I know this can be like opening a can of worms, but the photos of the Royal Opera House after the bombing and AFTER the rubble was cleared but BEFORE the structure was dismantled for safety reasons, show a building that could have been rebuilt.
I know that money was a problem and other bombed buildings took priority for obvious reasons.

The rear and most of the sides looked intact.
There have been bombed buildings and churches in Malta in far worse shape that were re-built not from the ground up.

Take a look at this photo of the bombed Royal Opera House,

http://www.maltavista.net/en/list/photo/1440.html

J Martinelli

Jul 8th 2009, 13:54

@ Victor Laiviera

"If the Germans can do it, why can't we?"

If we received war damage funds, why didn't we?

P.Cassar

Jul 8th 2009, 13:40

For me the remains shown in the photo are a reminder of the grandeur of the building. To have it now replaced by additions of glass and metal poles and make it resemble a huge aquarium is an insult to us all. And pleasssse do not come out reasoning that Renzo is a great architect and so we have to bow our heads to his gradeur. I WON'T.

If private individuals have some or many of the remains govt should give them some time to return them otherwise apply or establish severe penalties for robbing a nation.

To make insinuations like the first blogger did one has to be completely living in space.

Guze Xerri

Jul 8th 2009, 12:52

@ cecil herbert jones,

"IT-TEATRU MWAQQA" minn bomba Germaniza u "BIEB IL-BELT MWAQQA" minn Gorg Borg Olivier. The Royal Opera House Theatre WAS a 19th Century building and 'City Gate' (whatever it was originally called) WAS a 16th Century building. "

The city gate before the one that is there right now was also a 19th century structure.
It was built in 1853 to the design of a Col. Thompson of the Royal Engineers.

joseph Stafrace

Jul 8th 2009, 12:49

Two Corinthian Capitals as shown in the above photographs can be found at the Paola MCAST (formerly St. Joseph Secondary Technical School) just within the entrance gate.

Julian Zarb

Jul 8th 2009, 12:37

@Mr. Laiviera...Yes, the bombing was the main cause for our present state of affairs in that area of Valletta but, again I inisist I am taking this as apolitically as one can on these islands, we did not do ourselves justice when - instead of rebuilding the site, what do we do? We pull it COMPLETLY down! A VERY smart move, wouldn.t you say? And, yes, the city gate that was built in the sixties was most definitly not the right choice for the city's main entrance - but I really thought that might be stating the obvious here, since I know the majority have never agreed with this style of architecture....

Tourism Journalist

Julian Zarb

Jul 8th 2009, 12:16

@Mr. Waugh. Perhaps I can help with the information and research you need. I have several Malta Guide Books going back to 1890 as well as the first post war Opera House project guidebook (the one that illustrated the designs for Zavellani Rossi). Let me know how I can help you here?
Tourism Journalist

grace muscat

Jul 8th 2009, 12:12

Those so called Old opera house remnants they are National heritage and the government should make it illegal to own such things and should make a date until when they should be brought back to their place and after that date should put a fine to all those who will get caught or posses those remnants,the same thing as somebody is caught with illegal drugs,firearms,or stuffed birds and so on.

Victor Laiviera

Jul 8th 2009, 12:08

Mr Julian Zarb says that he does not want to "sound political". Yet he tries to throw the blame for the destruction of the Opera House on the Mintoff Government when, in fact, it was bombed during the war and the Labour administration merely cleared the rubble.

On the other hand, he says nothing about the fact that the City Gate, which was intact and OLDER than the Opera House was deliberately pulled down by a PN government in order to replace it with the monstrosity we have now.

Ian Waugh

Jul 8th 2009, 11:25

This is really interesting - if a little sad.

For a while I've been running www.maltaoperahouse.com which started life as a campaigning website to draw attention to the Prime Ministers idea to turn the Opera House bomb site into a parliamentary building. Since that decision, thankfully, has been reversed the website is looking more positively to the future as theatre is going to be reinstated on this famous site.

As a part-time, extremely amateur historian I thought it would be fascinating to include a fairly detailed history of the Opera House. I was wondering if anyone reading this have any recollections of the Opera House. Maybe people have relatives that performed, worked there or attended the performances. Even internal photographs or snap-shots of the building, artists that performed, bill posters or newspaper cuttings (which can be scanned).

I Joseph Bonnici's & Michael Cassar’s fascinating book and I’m conducting a deep search of the internet - but input from your readers would really bring this work alive. My disability and poor health prevents me from travelling to Malta to research in person currently however my contact is: info@maltaoperahouse.com .... thank you so very much.

Charles Micallef

Jul 8th 2009, 11:22

I think that instead of doing what we are best renowned for most, and politicising every issue under the sun, an effort initial should be made by the Government to try and initially locate and retrieve this important heritage.

If this is not done voluntary the Government then should start a campaign and ask the public in general public’s with any knowledge of these artifacts to help and free phone and report their whereabouts.

Unless such items are returned voluntary or have been exported which I doubt, they are “stored” in someone’s private residence / garden and if they are not returned voluntary the police should be able to investigate and ensure that every missing item is returned or otherwise!

This is extremely important heritage and hence such be returned where it belongs especially in the light of the proposed project!

cecil herbert jones

Jul 8th 2009, 11:01

"IT-TEATRU MWAQQA" minn bomba Germaniza u "BIEB IL-BELT MWAQQA" minn Gorg Borg Olivier. The Royal Opera House Theatre WAS a 19th Century building and 'City Gate' (whatever it was originally called) WAS a 16th Century building.

The Russians built an empire, it fell and they rebuilt it again, and now enjoy a reputation for empire building. We Maltese ENJOY a reputation for disfiguring priceless artefacts and defacing the memory of (yet again) priceless buildings (City Gate is just one example) by proposing egocentric designs that do nothing except mourn the past in a distasteful manner.

'It-Teatru mwaqqa' is a phrase, indeed a physical address every Maltese goes by now for these last 60 years, that should have never been allowed to exist on people's lips, never mind passed on through generations. There is now the presence of a plague epidemic which is the physical incarnation of this linguistic power. And all this is clothed in a language which has lost any contact with today's crude, epileptic rhythm.

Renzo Piano's plan for the ex Royal Opera House Theatre is just a politically correct design that will further ensure that 'IT-TEATRU MWAQQA' will remain known as that.

Julian Zarb

Jul 8th 2009, 11:01

Without wanting to sound political or in any way getting into that controversy, I am basing my statements on historical evidence as to when and why these events took place....perhaps had we then taken a BOLD (at least for this nation) decision to rebuild our heritage sites we would not have procrastinated that moment for over 60 years! We would also have reduced the risk of letting the remains get so easily spread out and "disappear"! Now that we have an amber light to go ahead, maybe we should do this without further delay before some other hurdle places itself in the way of progress!!!
Tourism Journalist

B Agius

Jul 8th 2009, 10:28

Even on this issue - people argue on the basis of red and blue!! One wonders whether even "the koko" in Malta is in these colours!!

edward bartolo

Jul 8th 2009, 10:17

@ Victor Laiviera

Thanks for the link. I can only say that rebuilding a national icon is not at all illogical, especially, if there are still parts from the original.

R Grima

Jul 8th 2009, 10:11

@Mr Zarb.

If you are under the impression that the remains of the old Opera House are in Socialist household's ,then you better think again. Most socialist households at that time were to poor to worry about taking a bit of stone to decorate their non existent garden or coffee table. Many a house I have visited happen to have an interesting piece of suspicious stone sculpture and by no means were these rabid nasty little reds. As for dismantling,what would you ratherMr Mintoff do, leave it as it was for a kantun or two to fall on passer's buy head's? Get real and start searching.

Julian Zarb

Jul 8th 2009, 09:27

It is really disgraceful that, not only, did we have a Government led by the then PM Dom Mintoff, who actually dismantled the opera house but - as if that were not enough - the remains are actually stolen by private individuals, I would suggest this criminal act be investigated by the Police and the Sup. for Cultural Heritage. It is most definitly a blot on our dark past when autocractic rule was predominant on these islands.....we will probably find that there are other such instances! Thank God those times are over, but we must ensure they NEVER happen again!!!

Tourism Journalist

Victor Laiviera

Jul 8th 2009, 08:51

The report says, " Of course, it is not possible to use several of these elements because they come from higher levels of the former building and nothing of what used to hold them up there has been found,"

It can be done - it has been done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dresden_Frauenkirche

If the Germans can do it, why can't we?