FAA again questions wisdom behind roofless theatre

Anne Marie Kissaun

Aug 23rd 2009, 00:35

Mr. Joseph Cauchi, where culture/history is concerned, in my opinion, there is a limit how far one can move with the times. I feel that one should not dabble with culture/heritage especially were Valletta is concerned and being a World Heritage or any other historical building. You yourself seem to have also made a fait accompli statement, I quote" who cares about opera in the 21st Century". Reading through most of the blogs from previous weeks on this subject, it seems that there is a very good consensus regarding having the Opera House back in its glory. May I also say, Opera/Ballet is timeless. Most of the time I tried to get a couple of tickets during the Opera season at the Manoel Theatre, I never managed as these are booked up well ahead. I can also point out that people also flock to Gozo for the Opera taking place there.

Alfred Baldacchino

Aug 22nd 2009, 22:59

The entrance to Valletta could be an enlarged version of the original doorway, on the lines followed when reconstructing Portes des Bombes. The Auberge de Castille, encompassing the adjoining buildings, could be made to accomodate both Parliament and the Office of the Prime Minister. The National Theatre could be rebuilt on a slightly larger scale utilising part of Pjazza Helsien which, in turn, could be greatly embellished.

Carmel J Caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 21:12

We are trying to promote Valletta to the world as a historic city of culture and what will the future culture seeking tourist find on entering through the historical city gate? - a modern parliament !!! Politicians should leave cultural decisions to those who are knowledgeable about the subject.

Jimmy Magro

Aug 22nd 2009, 20:59

Is this a sign that the ruling society of the 19th century had a higher cultural identity than the present majestic Administration?

How come that the Government agreed to build an Opera House in 1866, when we had so many beggars, and it cannot be built in 2009, and as members of the European Union where culture is given so much importance.

As a citizen and taxpayer of Malta I want to know how much money has been spent to each every architect that has submitted plans for this project under any Administration; and what are the financial regulations applicable to the appointment of professional services by Government?

I hope I am not trespassing on the Secret of the Madonna of Fatima by asking these questions?

Astrid Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:52

@ Robert Caruana: FAA is not lobbying for an opera house, however if small, provincial American towns such as Norfolk (Virginia), Cedarville (Ohio), Rochester (New Hampshire), Green Lake (Wisconsin), Elkader (Iowa) and Sumter (South Carolina) take great pride in their opera houses/theatres and successfully run varied theatrical programmes throughout the year, should not the same hold for Malta which is a nation, not a community?

Additionally, these towns do not stand to benefit from potential tourists patronising their theatres like we could attract. Nor do they have the significant position on the operatic circuit like Malta enjoyed before successive governments neglected our cultural life. The difference is vision, which we sorely lack.

L. Gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:30

I agree wholeheartedly with Anne Marie Kissaun. We need to have the opera house rebuilt to its former glory. In this way we will enhance the beauty of our capital city. There are many more things that can be held if the building is planned properly. What about ballet and musical concerts by our own philharmonic orchestra?
As for Joseph Cauchi's idea of roofing Piano's project with aluminium, he must be joking. Imagine such a structure in a beautiful baroque city! We would become the laughing stock of the world.
Building the site on Piano's plans is just wasting 20 million euros. We might as well leave it as it is, if we are going to leave the ruins. Concerts have been held there, and that is all that it will be good for. It will soon be realised that the project is not viable and ti will have to be pulled down and rebuilt.

Michael Neville Cassar

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:20

I cannot agree more, an open theatre cannot be used with the noise sounded coming from its surroundings especially in summer with all the (boom boom) petards car horns, etc. Why our leadership suffer with so match inferiority complexes are there no architects to design a decent entrance into Valletta and rebuild the opera house on this island. And why create more difficulty for parking by reducing parking space in the ditch?

Rocco Cauchi

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:20

Alright then, so why not have a full fledged national theatre and cultural centre spreading all over the present theatre site and Freedom Square together?
I have already hinted about the wisdom of having local workers mounting and dismantling parts to make the system feasible from one show to the other. To put it mildly, accident insurance, employer's liability and third party liability insurance would all be definitely needed for workers and public alike.
Then what about a fire insurance policy, this time not as much for fire as to cover flood risks, should seeping water flow into underground compartments during the rainy season?
As for Parliament, consider the Market block in Merchants Street. A facelift could be given to the backside of the Palace, and Parliament built with underground parking facilities, on the present site, while rehabilitating the adjacent buildings in the surrounding streets and perhaps adapting them as annexes for ancillary services.
It is a hideous idea having Parliament sited in the immediate entrance to Valletta - it looks like saying, with apologies to Piano's poetic verve, "Now look, you are entering a city where Parliament is most important because here laws and taxes are made".

Astrid Vella

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:53

@ Noel Mangion and Joseph Cauchi: Renzo Piano has already ruled out the possibility of adding any sort of a roof to the structure he has proposed, saying that, given our prevalent wind conditions, what he's proposing would not be strong enough to support a roof.

"As architect in charge of the project it would be irresponsible of me to propose such a thing." he stated.

Galea. L

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:37

Marius Zulgis
Excellent suggestion.
Maybe it will cool the heads of some of our big heads in there.

lesley kreupl

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:35

It is a great pity that the government does not market Valletta as a 'weekend tour city' – so many Europeans visit cities for a weekend break, to go site-seeing or to attend a special musical or show. While one obviously cannot compare Valletta with London, Paris, Berlin, etc. It does have an awful lot to offer and lets face it, the harbour is second to none in Europe. In addition, Malta has the advantage of being just a few flying-hours away from most other cities in Europe.

However, we all know that the city is a mess and now with the idea of having a roofless theatre – that will be just be the final nail in the coffin for this once-magnificent city.

What a shame!

Joseph Cauchi

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:00

@ Anne Marie Kissaun,

Who cares about opera, in the twenty-first century?

Opera was a hit at its times when nothing else existed; but today the tastes of the audiences has changed.

One has to move with the times.

@ FAA,

Why this entire hullabaloo about the roofless theatre?

It can easily be fixed by these aluminium metal structures which are not so expensive and can be assembled and disassembled in no time.

This type of roofing is quite feasible and perhaps the authorities have already this in mind! Who knows?

JC.

Joseph Galea

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:55

Piano's project will surely improve the "ambjent" at our Capital City's entrance. So why can't FAA stick to it's environmental mandate instead of getting involved in architectural matters?

Tonio Farrugia

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:53

@Anne Marie Kissaun.
Who are "the people"? How do you know what the majority would like to have?

Robert Caruana

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:52

@Anne Marie Kissaun

Have you performed a referendum yourself to conclude that "the majority would like to have the Opera House back"?

As to the opportunity to listen to opera, it is clear that this is a very restriced market and it makes no sense to have such a huge project for a few people to enjoy an opera.

Strange, but some people apparently love their country but then easily leave their loved island to far away asian continents for some more money in their pockets.

Dr Emmy Bezzina, B.A.,LL.D.

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:34

This country did not need a PIANO,does not need the Building of a Parliament Building when it is desirable that each District will preferably elect not more than Four Representatives and this considering that the vast majority of our MPs are literally THERE for NOTHING by way of representation but are only THERE for the Perks & Privileges and to accommodate their personal interests. Malta does not need 69 or 65 MPs especially of the lousy nature that a good number of them project.

MALTA needs an OPERA HOUSE - this attitude that THE IDIOTS among us are having their way,such as these drug-infested Parties,these nonsensical open-air musical shows - we have more than enough of these: so why cannot the Nation have a glorious Opera House where majestic productions might be put on and thus assist in no small way the concept of CULTURE TOURISM apart from appeasing the thirst of local patrons for such productions.Who cares where our MPs drawl on with their boring undesirable style? Our Representatives must listen to the People,throw away PIANO,use the money better to promote MALTA`s CULTURAL ORIENTATION AD MAJOREM POPULUM COMMODITATUM as on the Portes des Bombes Arches!

Marius Zulgis

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:31

I would like to propose a roofless parliament.

Anne Marie Kissaun

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:18

I can not understand why some people are so stubborn and still not listen to what the people are saying. When are we going to wake up to reality that the majority would like to have the Opera House back, in its former glory, and that it will add to the embellishment of the city (which, if not careful, will soon loose its World Heritage). Some people go overseas during the Opera Season to watch their favorite operas, why not come to Malta. Therefore, please, we have wasted a long time, for one reason or another, let us get on with it and hopefully, some who are of my age group, will, perhaps, have the pleasure to see it completed and perhaps have the opportunity to listen to an Opera.

Nmc Mangion

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:03

In 2009 there are many ways to cover it up for winter and uncover it in summer.