Maltese teen hopes to tour with Gigi D'Alessio
Video courtesy Gigi D'Alessio Talent 2009 Scout. Artistic direction Andrea Milana, Grace Borg.
Sitting in the kitchen, five-year-old Thea Falzon Garrett was watching a group of singers on television when she decided to try and copy them, and started singing.
What came out of the little girl's mouth mesmerised her mother, Marion: "I never expected such a note to come out of such a little person."
Twelve years and several music lessons later, what started with one note has developed into an angelic voice which the 17-year-old is hoping will allow her to tour with Neopolitan singer and songwriter Gigi D'Alessio.
Sitting on an armchair at her parents' Tarxien home, Ms Falzon Garrett said the idea came from former Maltasong chairman Grace Borg. Ms Borg handed a CD of popular music sang by Ms Falzon Garrett and another Maltese, Christabelle Borg, to the Italian singer's management company, who suggested the two take part in the competition.
Since then Ms Falzon Garrett has been training to learn the song Apri le Braccia (Open Your Arms), with which she is competing for the 10 spots on the tour.
She admitted it was not an easy feat for someone who was not fluent in Italian, but she said her accent had been getting better.
"I feel comfortable with the words," said the teenager, who protects her vocal chords with warm clothes in winter and drinking carob syrup.
Winning the competition would bring the teenager closer to her dream of performing in public at London's West End. Since childhood she has loved the theatre, especially Les Miserables and the Phantom Of The Opera.
Earlier this year she came close to winning a prestigious scholarship at London's Royal Academy of Music when she placed among the first 20 from some 22,000 people contesting the Voice Of Tomorrow competition.
"It was the first time I sang in public, in front of so many people, so I was very happy with the placing," she said.
The teenager, who has dropped Falzon from her stage name, is ready to try her hand at some original material and has already found two Munich-based songwriters and producers to write songs for her.
But for the time being the teenager is focusing on the competition, hoping she will attract votes and have the opportunity to tour with the Italian singer.
She admitted this might be a difficult feat since Maltese were more likely to vote online rather than through text message, which translated into 100 points.
But she has not given up hope since the winners will be chosen both through public voting and by a panel of judges.
"I hope to be chosen for my voice rather than because of the number of people I know," she said.
The public can vote for Ms Falzon Garrett or Ms Borg until Saturday through the website http://www.talentscout.gigidalessio.com/
Video courtesy Gigi D'Alessio Talent 2009 Scout. Artistic direction Andrea Milana, Grace Borg.
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Mark Soler
Oct 13th 2009, 08:42
Thanks to All who voted for Thea. She was selected for the semifinals. Visit www.theafgarrett.webs.com for latest news.
Martin Attard
Oct 12th 2009, 21:15
Thea's been chosen to attend further auditions in Italy later on this week
Martin Attard
Oct 12th 2009, 20:12
THEA'S BEEN CHOSEN!! A very well deserved opportunity to a gifted and talented girl. A big THANK YOU to all that voted for her
Marika Camilleri
Oct 10th 2009, 22:08
Please stop trashing and ... just listen to talent... and believe me those who breathe music can appreciate her voice, I do not know her but her parents ...... following her through all her footsteps ... living music .... with dedication and enormous sacrifices.
Keep it up, may you bud and do well in your career.
Marika Camilleri
Vicki Soler
Oct 10th 2009, 11:53
Good luck Thea. I have posted the website on facebook for my friends to listen to your angelic voice and I am sure many if not all will vote for you.
alfred zammit
Oct 10th 2009, 11:52
You have a great voice.You look great.You have talent.You have somebody to back you.I too have a son who sings well,and would like people to back him.He Also is a talented song writer and I wish he had somebody to back him.
Go for itthea good luck.We have a lot of musical talent in Malta.Do us proud!!!!!!
Gege
Oct 9th 2009, 18:28
Such a beautiful song and your Angelic voice compliments it. I hope that you are chosen, you truly deserve!!! Keep it up and Good Luck!!!
Ray Gatt
Oct 9th 2009, 16:28
WOW. Her voice reminds me of the original Mattia Bazar female singer Antonella Ruggiero. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_CyfHjNjg4.
Joe E. Galea
Oct 9th 2009, 15:20
Wooowww what a voice!! Good luck Thea!!
Brian Cassar
Oct 9th 2009, 14:14
Beautiful coloratura. Reminds me of Emma Shapplin. Well done and welcome to the music scene.
Dylan Lentini
Oct 9th 2009, 13:35
Amazing Thea.....you left me speechless! Well done and good luck!!
To all the rest of the losers and their patriotic comments:
Lets say a foreign buddy searches Google: Gigi Alessio Malta
1st hit provides this article! Oh no I cannot understand a word from what she is saying because it is in Maltese!
Mark Soler
Oct 9th 2009, 12:53
Thanks to all those who passed nice comments about Thea and those who passed some rude words about Thea , please becarefull what you say about an upcoming artist for the maltese music. She definitley doesn't diserve those comments. If you want to know more about her and for news visit www.theafgarrett.webs.com. You will also find some music there.
Rudolph Marmara
Oct 9th 2009, 12:37
Finally a fresh looking maltese singer to be proud of. The stage name does not make any difference if she is a good singer or not. If you listen to her voice you can judge by yourself.
Vote for her and give her this opportunity if you're really are so proud of maltese talent.
Good luck Thea and keep up the good work!!!
A Bilocca
Oct 9th 2009, 11:49
P GRECH
First of all, you definately don't know Thea - so please be decent enough not to judge her! She definately has her own reasons why she dropped her family name.... and she has every right to.
Secondly, you have to vote for her splendid voice and not her for her decisions.
Third - if the interview was done in English, it is common sense that she should answer in English.
Live and let live Mr Grech!
Thea, wish you all the very best - you could do anything you dream of with that angelic voice!!!
mark soler
Oct 9th 2009, 10:52
Tomorrow is the last day of voting so please visit either http://www.talentscout.gigidalessio.com/streamingvideo/?id=1748165 or www.theafgarrett.webs.com to give her our full support by voting. Thanks alot.
mark soler
Oct 9th 2009, 10:50
@wally vella-zarb: I ams sure that she cannot use only Thea because ther is another Thea in Malta. All those who follow maltese music knows whom i'm talking of. Please let's leave her stage name and focus on her brilliant future and the present competition. I'm sure she will do well.
Katia Mifsud
Oct 9th 2009, 08:32
You are a star :) .... pure angelic voice!
M V Agius
Oct 9th 2009, 08:29
Well done Thea & good luck! I was mesmerized with your voice last Saturday at Notte Bianca where you sang with the EnKor Gospel Choir. You got my vote!.... & put a link on my facebook!
R. Attard
Oct 8th 2009, 23:18
Since she is under age Thea does not take these decisions her manager does so YOU should be ashamed of yourself for putting a 17 year old down and saying those rude words on such an important page for Thea's carrier.And believe me you really do not know Thea because if you did you would know that she is really NOT the type of person your thinking she is whenever she attended school in London or when she took part in that contest in the UK she was always VERY proud of being Maltese! This goes to Mr Phillip Grech, Mr Daniel Vella and also Smifsud you are the ones who should be ashamed of yourselfs start thinking before you come up with False conclusions and making other people agree with your nonsense for nothing!
Keep it up Thea, and never let these people let you down!
You are Great!!
R. Attard
Oct 8th 2009, 23:09
Typical Maltese always finding somthing to critisize about. First of all you should be ashamed for telling a very talented 17 year old to be ashamed for removing the Falzon and also because she spoke English. "Thea Falzon Garrett" would have been to long and simply "Thea" wouldnt do as there is another maltese singer by the name Thea therefor that is probably the reason and im sure that Thea who loves her country so much and who is extreamly proud of being Maltese didnt do it because she is ashamed of being maltese so pls do not cut to conclusions by telling her to be ashamed its not fair for her starting out her new carrier and already finding people who go against her . As for the English speaking the questions were asked in ENGLISH therefor i think it would have been very wierd to answer in Maltese and also it is an English written news paper so what do you expect!
Albert Spiteri
Oct 8th 2009, 22:09
@Michael Zammit
I have a brother who was in the RAF and says Harry Garrett was in the RAF 38 Squadron during that period and he was in Stores. Definitely Garrett is not a very common name in Malta. I would say all Garretts, together with this fantastic girl Thea, are all related.
Anyway, I don't care Thea using English for this interview, or that she decided to drop "Falzon" from her name. That's her business and her's alone.
I gladly voted for her because she is an Everest of pure talent. I will be following her career and look forward to when I can have the pleasure and honour of seeing and listening to her live.
Good luck Thea and may you reach the highest peaks.
A. Debono
Oct 8th 2009, 20:40
Wonderfull! Wonderful voice and person. Finally a fresh face here in malta, not always the same persons. Hope you win and good luck :) xxxxxx
lietje bonello boissevain
Oct 8th 2009, 18:34
I think that this young singer has an absolutely beautiful voice, very mature for her age!
Its the loveliest voice ever to come from these isles, Good luck and im sure she ll go places
Mjchael Zammit
Oct 8th 2009, 14:48
@Albert Spiteri , I also used to know a certain HARRY GARRET(ex RAFMALTA. 38 SQUADRON 1962-1965 ) any relations?.
Jennifer Muscat
Oct 8th 2009, 14:32
I was astonished what a lovely voice you have. keep it up and Good luck for the competition.
Mark Cushcieri
Oct 8th 2009, 14:08
well done.. brilliant voice..if she was asked questions in english..i dont see anything wrong with her replying in english..after all english is our second language and the universal language in all the world.
K.Mallia
Oct 8th 2009, 13:50
What is the problem with us Maltese...we have to find something negative in a positive thing.
Referring to Mr Philip Grech's comment, I'm surprised he left his comment in English being so patriotic!
Isn't it obvious to answer in English to questions being asked to you in English for an English written newspaper?
Lets discuss what's relevant....in such case her singing capabilities!
Well done Thea!!
wally vella-zarb
Oct 8th 2009, 13:25
A very promising voice which, if coupled with an appropriate stage presence, ought to lead on to a great future in entertainment. As for the stage name, I would suggest that simply 'Thea' would be more suitable as it would be easier to 'export' wherever she goes, with no difficulty in pronunciation, whatever the country or language.
josette pace
Oct 8th 2009, 12:53
WOW.......WISH YOU ALL THE BEST
Daniel Vella
Oct 8th 2009, 12:43
I have to agree with Mr. Philip Grech. Why is she shunning her Maltese heritage?
K. Mallia
Oct 8th 2009, 12:22
What a voice! I have already voted for Thea and encourage everyone to do so cause she really deserves this opportunity!
Frank Cachia
Oct 8th 2009, 12:10
I rarely leave comments on TOM but could not help doing so after listening to this fantastic voice. Excellent and good luck.
P Debono
Oct 8th 2009, 12:03
Good luck Thea.
I suggest you follow in the footsteps of the great Kevin Borg. There is no future for you on this island, but if you go abroad, the world is your oyster.
Philip Grech
Oct 8th 2009, 12:02
Just as I started to watch the video clip I made up my mind not to vote for a Maltese who was speaking English with a clear Maltese accent. If she spoke Italian I would have forgiven her as she said that she is trying to improve her Italian. I can also understand that she dropped the Maltese surname from your double barrel. Be ashamed of us and we will be of you.
Sunny Said
Oct 8th 2009, 11:32
Very great and professional voice! Very well done and good luck in your career. Malta as a country should make more promotion and help these talented people to achieve their goals and nurture their talent.
Albert Spiteri
Oct 8th 2009, 11:09
BRILLIANT! SIMPLY BRILLIANT. ANGELIC VOICE,
Thea Falzon Garrett you are now my very favourite female singer.
I once had a friend surnamed Garrett, if my memory serves me right his first name was Joe. He played football, goalkeeper for Birkirkara, back in the 50's and very early 60's. I remember him tall, always very elegant, good looking, very charming. We used to meet often Sunday evenings at Hotel Pheonicia Ballroom, dancing to music by Jimmy Dowling and later Vinny's Blue Jackets. Most people there called him just Garrett.
I wonder whether that Garrett may be one of Thea's ancesters.
M Attard
Oct 8th 2009, 10:57
Go Thea... Gd Luck swt
C. Cassar
Oct 8th 2009, 10:56
TWO BIG HUGE THUMBS UP TO THEA ! ! reading this article had memories flooding back of great times and most importantly a great voice which made me shed tears everytime I heard it ! Even if it was just in her room doing her make up, she dosen`t need any flashy sound system to mesmerize audiences, the talent is raw ! Im so happy for Thea and the Falzon Garret family and admire as well as strongly agree with the bold words said at the ending.
May all the saints tucked under your clothes be with you xP
Cla of TayaKallel
Noel Zarb
Oct 8th 2009, 10:53
Well Done for such a voice, however this article should have featured other Maltese singers who went in this competition, such as Raquela!
Mark Soler
Oct 8th 2009, 10:48
Please find direct link also http://www.talentscout.gigidalessio.com/streamingvideo/?id=1748165 . VOTE VOTE VOTE . Just go in press on VOTA and inster the code provided. THNAKS on Behalf of THEA.
Tanya Briffa
Oct 8th 2009, 10:46
Xi gmiel, God Bless you Thea! I hope your dream of the West End comes true, and that I'll have opportunity to come and see you perform there one day.
Mark Soler
Oct 8th 2009, 10:19
Hi To all. Please also visit www.theafgarrett.webs.com and find a direct link to vote for Thea. She really deserves to win this competition to tour with Gigi D’Alessio.
D.Magro
Oct 8th 2009, 10:16
Impressive voice...gluck.....keep up the good work.
Adrian Vella
Oct 8th 2009, 10:15
Brilliant! She sings so beautifully that I actually have tears in my eyes.
Daniel Vella
Oct 8th 2009, 10:09
Good luck Thea and Cristabel. You both have wonderful, serene voices. I am sure you will make the Maltese proud