Thoughts on Renzo Piano's theatre plans (2)

The building in the accompanying photograph is a tough act to follow. An encore is the only answer. This is what the majority of the Maltese people want, and nothing else will do. It is the missing jewel in Valletta's crown.

Some argue that the building would not be big enough for opera. Oh?

Did not the original builders build this theatre for opera? Has musical drama changed at all since then? La Traviata, Rigoletto, La Bohème, are all still performed the same way as they were then. Besides, Malta is a small island. It does not need a 2,000-seat theatre.

And as far as another theatre in Valletta is concerned, in the 1950s there were no fewer than three cinema theatres in the city, showing different feature films every day.

Also, I understand that the elegant Manoel Theatre closes for the summer. The new opera house will be modern and fully air-conditioned on the inside, enabling it to operate all year round.

At the very least, the rebuilt opera house will be the monument it once was, gracing the entrance to one of Europe's finest cities.

With due respect to Renzo Piano, so far the only good feature of his designs is the replacing of the ugly City Gate.