Matthew Xuereb
Piano project gets go ahead
The regeneration of the opera house ruins in Valletta got the green light by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, yesterday. The project by the world-renowned architect Renzo Piano includes the contentious partially-roofed theatre.
The 47th attempt to regenerate the opera house ruins in Valletta was given planning permission yesterday, paving the way for construction to start soon on Renzo Piano's highly-controversial City Gate project.
The project by the world-renowned architect, which in-cludes the contentious roofless theatre, was approved by nine of the 10 Malta Environment and Planning Authority's board members, with Labour representative Roderick Galdes casting the only dissenting vote.
The five-hour public hearing yesterday morning was attended by a handful of people objecting to the proposed project. In fact, only three people actually voiced their objections.
The board heard the planning directorate recommend approval, subject to a long list of conditions mainly related to traffic and construction management as well as a €500,000 bank guarantee.
The directorate imposed the extension of the Park and Ride area at Blata l-Bajda to make up for the 474 parking spaces that will be lost from Freedom Square and in the ditch, better known as the Yellow Garage.
In his presentation to the board, case officer Joseph Borg explained that the 16th century bridge leading into Valletta would be exposed and the present 22-metre-wide bridge, which was extended several times over the years, would be reduced to just over eight metres in width.
The ditch, originally dug out as a defensive measure, will be converted into a paved garden, having one catering establishment, limited seating and non-advertorial umbrellas for shade.
The original gate, Mr Borg said, was designed by Laparelli, changed in 1632, replaced again in 1853 and the present one constructed in 1964.
Bernard Plattner, an architect on Mr Piano's team, told the hearing Valletta was being given the importance it deserved and that the plans mixed dreams and inventions with the reality of the site.
Responding to criticism on the open-air theatre, Mr Plattner said the space on the site previously occupied by an opera house was never meant to be called a theatre in the first place but was simply an open-air public place for outdoor performances.
"One has to be out of one's mind to even consider the possibility to build a competitive opera house on a footprint of 600 to 800 square metres," he said.
He said a textile canopy was needed in order to reflect the sound and to protect lighting and sound equipment from the elements.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar's Miriam Cremona stressed her organisation's objection to the proposed plans saying the removal of a city gate would leave a gaping hole in the historic site.
She also complained that there had been no consultation on the project and that a traffic impact assessment and an environmental impact assessment had not been carried out.
Another objector was the president of the National Musicians' Union, Val Valente, who said the opera house site would remain an eyesore and that the government's plans were rubbing salt in people's wounds.
He added that 85 per cent of the population wanted a roofed national theatre.
Representatives of other organisations expressed approval for the project. These included Valletta Alive Foundation secretary, John Ebejer, who said the project would regenerate the capital city. Din L-Art Ħelwa president Petra Bianchi and Claude Borg, on behalf of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project, also spoke fav-ourably.
Towards the end of the hearing, Manwel Delia, head of secretariat in the Infrastructure Ministry, said this was the 47th attempt to restore the opera house site since it was brought down by enemy bombs.
He said that some NGOs went on record as saying they were in favour of the project but cries of objection rang out when he showed a 10-second clip of FAA coordinator Astrid Vella during an interview. The clip was barely audible as Mr Galdes and others yelled out in protest, demanding that it be stopped.
Mr Galdes accused Mr Delia of "hijacking" the Mepa computer, which was being used to screen a presentation on the proposed project. He also asked for an official explanation as to how the ministry took possession of a Mepa computer to play the clip.
It was explained to him that the projector's cable had merely been unplugged from one computer and plugged into a ministry laptop.
The presentation was halted and Mepa chairman Austin Walker ruled that the clip could not be played since it was out of context.
Mepa environment directorate head Martin Seychell explained that an environmental impact assessment was not required because the project did not cover an area of 10 hectares or more. However, he said that, due to the sensitivity of the site, the directorate had undertaken a screening process, which showed that the project had no significant impact on the environment.
Mr Galdes moved a motion for the Mepa decision to be postponed until the government went back to Mr Piano and asked him to change the plans according to the will of the people. However, he found no other board member to second the proposal and it was not even put to the vote.
The Mepa approval of the project was lauded by the Nationalist Party in a statement and the Labour Party described the plans as "an ego-trip" rather than a national project.
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62 Comments
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joanna gaskin
Apr 27th 2010, 04:26
Please, please put a lid on it....er, roof! I have memories of a glorious opera house!
Clive Gerada
Mar 28th 2010, 20:49
@ Anthony Pace Gouder - Funny :P
Joe Fenech
Mar 28th 2010, 16:51
Why replace our Victorian jewel?
If we wanted Piano to build his own thing, we should have asked him to demolish the slums that litter most of Valletta's surface and given him Carte Blanche to built what he wants. But HANDS OFF the opera house building. Make into a chic café, exhibition space, museum, etc.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 28th 2010, 11:20
@Eric Bonello ALL who were LED TO BELIEVE that the Royal Opera House site is TOO SMALL !!! read the 10th and precisely the11th Paragraphs report Mr.Plattner , saying that the area is 600 to 800 square meters , even here I'm afraid he lacks consistency, and not adequate for a ''COMPETITIVE'' ??? Opera House !
Even LOOKING AT THE SITE , one in his OWN STATE OF MIND will realize that the Area is CERTAINLY NOT 800 SQUARE METERS ! Seems nobody cared to CHECK ! Cannot believe....NOBODY NOTICED ? World-Renouned !
The Area is ACTUALLY ....... in ROUNDED figure 30m Wide X 60m Long Therfore =
1,800 squaremeters , ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED Square Meters .
Taking a Straight Perimeter the area WOULD RESULT IN circa 2,000 Sq. Meters ! Most Opera Theatres-Concert Hallsetc. all over the world have practically this Area.
Who would EVER think that BARRY would have PLANNED-DESIGNED such a MONUMENTAL BUILDING without this VITAL consideration ?
Plattners' FIGURE at 800, represents 45 % of the area ! He's out by 1,000 square meters . If Renzo Piano"s Team HAVE WORKED on this FIGURE all their calculations, material Quantities ,can be scrapped . PROSIT-HAFNA !
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 28th 2010, 10:02
ALLAHARES dawn il-Membri fil-Board tal-MEPA kienu GURATI fil-Qorti Criminali ! X'KUMBINNAZZJONI ID-DISGHA qablu UNANIMAMENT ! X'Serjeta dik . WAQQGHU IL-PAJJIZNA ghazz-ZUFJETT !
Gorge Bajada
Mar 27th 2010, 17:12
The bombs have won the day as the maltese people are not able to build what once destroyed by war in the past.
I have nothing against in regenerating the city but not with what's been proposed on the 'open-air public place for outdoor performances' as Mr Piano is calling it instead of Teatru Rjal that once was.
Dr Gonzi and Mr Piano should back-off the ruin site. The arrogant government will not have a public hearing or a referendum about it because knows he's the loser.
This undemocratic proposal is an embarrassment and an insult to any artistic ability. Can not see the aesthetic about it. With all his expertise I'm sure Mr Piano can do better than this.
The money will be spend on parliament house instead of Teatru Rjal.
I find nothing artistic about installing a few poles around the ruins. What is the purpose? Any builder in Malta can do that. It's still roofless to me. It's like renovating the ruins to look like ruins, what's the point?
A reminder of war, authority and politics winning over art and culture.
BACK-OFF THE THEATRE SITE
Paul Mangion
Mar 27th 2010, 10:18
MAAAA......mhux il-progett iddejjaqni imma il qrid taghkom. Xi dwejjaq ta' nies.
C. Farrugia
Mar 27th 2010, 10:13
xi kruha...dak x'jahbat? daqs it-Teatru Irjal li kellna sabih...dik kapacita'! u mela din qabda kannolli fl-arja...ma nafx jiena...
ray sacco
Mar 27th 2010, 09:21
WHAT A GRAND ENTRANCE FOR OUR CAPITAL CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T.Vella
Mar 27th 2010, 09:15
Shame on you Gonzi and MEPA for sacrificing our beautiful City of Valletta in this manner SHAME ON YOU.
Tony Bonello
Mar 27th 2010, 07:26
all I have to say is shame shame n shame
Alfred Grech
Mar 27th 2010, 02:51
You show a photo up here - what's that for? Will they be putting rabbits or chicken in it?
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 26th 2010, 23:58
@Eric Bonello ---------- You're ABSOLUTELY right ! He (Piano) or they( his Team) not only did'nt feel like working or creating a Design , but reading thro' this report below I have good reason to point out a case of either DECEIT or INCOMPETENCE.! This would be un-acceptable !
This holds as long as the "report contents" are trustworthy and are not misprinted . To-morrow I will be 100% SURE of this !
Luigi Tomassi
Mar 26th 2010, 23:30
Come on you miserable moaners, look on the bright side of life. At least one industry is going to profit from this project. The printing press. They will have to reprint school books etc, with an updated version of Malta's country profile, from that of a democracy to one run by dictatorship.
Who wants to bet, that, come next election the government will be reelected with a huge margin?
apgrech
Mar 26th 2010, 22:39
"The project by the world-renowned architect, which includes the contentious roofless theatre, was approved by nine of the 10 Malta Environment and Planning Authority's board members"
And what were the conditions on these spineless board members? If you don't vote for it you'd be fired or demoted?
Behold our new masterpiece: IT'S UGLY, UGLY, UGLY.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 26th 2010, 20:10
@ Clive Gerada ----- By Renzo ! Just read your comment and your last sentence regarding the crane gave me THIS BIG IDEA . You have inspired me !
Sure enough that Tower Crane will be permanently on the spot Suspending a HUGE inverted Umbrella-like, water-proof contraption that will unfold Automatically only when the HUMIDITY reaches an unacceptable level (NIDDA) or it starts raining . This will cover up all the open area temporarilly . Fine ?
This will save the Audience from contracting a new strain of Influenza ,the Me+Pa 9/1 ! !!! ...... and the SHOW CAN GO ON !
Stephen Florian
Mar 26th 2010, 18:55
Disaster is on the way. Boycott the Piano monster. This is the only solution civilised citizens are left with when dealing with despotism.
Joe Vella
Mar 26th 2010, 21:25
Perhaps Renzo Piano should have taken his inspiration from the Masterpiece across from Freedm Square build by our beloved PL.
Eric Bonello
Mar 26th 2010, 18:53
A shame, a real shame. Its a big waste of money, like the visit of the pope but that is another issue.
I think this Piano did not feel like working or creating a new design and decided to be 'unique' by using blocks for the design..and of course the officials trust him blindly since he is 'the best'.
The MEPA? lol indeed.
K Bianco
Mar 26th 2010, 18:37
Finally we have a Tennis Court in Valletta
D.Mercieca
Mar 26th 2010, 18:08
What is this? So this is going to be our national Theatre... My God i thought that it was the Opera Garnier in Paris.... Waste of money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...for all those who are happy with this project they should go on Wikipedia to see Palais Garnier so at least they should know how a national theatre for our World heritage city should be.....
Roderick Peresso
Mar 26th 2010, 18:37
...you missed out the part that it was built in 1875, i.e. 9 years after Barry's Royal Opera House
lgalea
Mar 26th 2010, 17:56
I hope that Gonezi is not going to use those poles to impale his backbench rebels.
Duncan Micallef
Mar 26th 2010, 17:55
why even consider the plans? all those millions should be used to reduce the deficit!! But no the deficit will be paid from "Ulied Uliedna"
George Vella
Mar 26th 2010, 17:39
Because of a few hard-headed people I am very sorry for the people of Malta and the great city of Valletta in generating these Renzo Piano's plans. Valletta does not deserve this.
Clive Gerada
Mar 26th 2010, 17:20
To a certain extent if you think about it artistically, the idea behind Architect Enzo Piano's brains, does make sense. This is because we will have an Opera house which will look like that it is "continously under construction", I guess his idea was to build the opera in this way to show to the governments that this building has always been promised to be built, but it was never actually built... so in the artist's view this is a on going operation which will never be finalized/realized, so I guess that is why the theatre looks like to be always under construction. I would also leave a crane as well to give a better effect to the artist's idea.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Mar 26th 2010, 17:00
Attenti u tinsewx , li f''Perspettiva Artistika, Mudelli , Foto Montagg u ''Computer Generated Images KOLLOX jidher Ferm u Ferm ISBAH milli dak li fir-Realta jinbena ! Recentement kellna xieda ta dan . Certament li il-Prim lanqas jirrejallizza dan ! TANT HU HEKK LI IMPRESSJONA RUHU IZZEJJED !
One has to keep constantly in mind that Artist perspective Drawings , scale Models , photo montages and Computer Generated images TEND to depict a SOMEWHAT false REPRESENTATION , to what actually materializes in Construction , as we have seen lately !
Agustine Cilia
Mar 26th 2010, 16:04
This 'opera house' truly represents Malta: a construction site with bare concrete pillars. Well-done, NOT.
Gabriel A Pellegrini
Mar 26th 2010, 15:51
The Royal Opera House has been in ruins for over 65 years......now it will remain in ruins for life thanks to Gonzi PN and Mr. Piano. What a waste of people's money and a show of arrogance by the Prime Minister who once again showed he is not interested in what the majority wished.
I stand up to be counted and once the plans have been approved I invite him to have the courage and see if the population is with him in a referendum.
Gabriel A. Pellegrini
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA
Mar 26th 2010, 14:51
The people mean nothing in this lilliputtian country.Unless you appertain to the encircled circle of circles,your voice and your rights signify next to nothing,but your obligations and liabilities hold water.Anyone seeing this monstrosity cannot by any stretch of the imagination call it anything but a work of DEMENTED MADNESS for which madder entities are paying millions of euro - that is us PEOPLE OF THIS LAND - for being so bereft of our fundamentals!!
Where are the so-called 128 Artistes who presented a very weak petition at the eleventh hour and whereby it was contended that all these ``Artistes`` did was advertise their name but ultimately would just stop there?? The People have been insulted but our people do not mind being taken for a ride a long as it is at the State`s expenses not grasping that at the end of the day,we are equally paying for being taken for a ride!!
No doubt we have Architects and Civil Engineers who could have done a much better job than a foreigner who must be bursting at his anatomical seems for taking the mickey out of us.Well done PIANO sei fortissimo at Malta`s troppo andante!!
mario gellel
Mar 26th 2010, 14:11
Since we have entered the "Commision culture" on every project, one wonders if it went to Dr.Gonzi.It was his nightmare dream from the start to the end anyway.
Sergio Galea Vincenti
Mar 26th 2010, 14:34
Are you SURE it was Dr. Gonzi's 'dream'? Somehow, I have my strong reservations on that matter.
Claire Mangion
Mar 26th 2010, 14:01
Is that how the Opera House is going to look once its "finished"... what a shame indeed... :( Malta could be such a gem of a place but all I read is how it is being destoryed bit by bit...
James De Giorgio
Mar 26th 2010, 13:58
Why, it's going to look like a construction site ad eternum! What's the point?
IT'S UGLY.
Can't the people's voice in this matter be adhered to?
Sergio Galea Vincenti
Mar 26th 2010, 17:21
Now, it would be interesting to see a similar montage of the new City Gate (minus the gate) and the Parliament-on-Stilts!
Peter Vella
Mar 26th 2010, 13:50
Yes finally Malta will have something else to be really proud of, the work of of a world-class architect. I urge the government to ignore the naysayers and the all those locals who have suddenly become experts in projects like this. It is only someone like Renzo Piano that can deliver a world class entrance to our capital city.
JJ Creg
Mar 26th 2010, 16:29
Peter Vella said: ''It is only someone like Renzo Piano that can deliver a world class entrance to our capital city.''
That statement is so discouraging.
Perhaps, the media could conduct another survey among the Maltese architects and young student architects about Renzo's design and concepts of his project.
Let's hear what they feel about their future being an architect in Malta and how far can such career lead them in this country.
Peter Vella
Mar 26th 2010, 17:04
I was aware that many in Malta suffered from delusions of grandeur but this is too much! How many world class athletes, artists, musicians and architects can this tiny nation hope to produce? To expect that any local architect could match the experience, expertise and knowledge of Renzo Piano is simply flabbergasting. If you look at the majority of houses in Malta and at some public buildings you get a very good idea of the mediocrity and lack of creativity that exists. Even a great like Richard England will bow his head to a master like Piano. We are so insular to squabble about this project. Everybody and his brother is suddenly an expert. - how right was Lord Byron to describe Malta as an island of yells, bells and smells! To create a lasting legacy you require a bold approach and the hand of a master - just see the glass pyramid at the Louvre.
Ray Mangion
Mar 26th 2010, 13:45
Speaking from a non political point of view, this decision in favour of the Piano Plan is the sadest day of Malta`s history. Actually this is history in the making, but for the wrong reasons; instead of Valletta, our beautiful Heritage City, gaining popularity for its beautiful Baroque buildings, it will very likely lose its place as a Heritage City, it will become more of a ghost city in the evenings as more good businesses will move out, leaving the rubbish in. All this money that has be wisely spent on other buildings to enhance its heritage, all the effort to attract more locals and visitors, day and night will be lost due to this cancer that`s is going to be created. It`s like putting in a child`s painting in a Van Gogh exhibition.
r. schembri
Mar 26th 2010, 13:45
Shame Shame Shame!!! I really cannot believe what is happening to the theatre. I agree with most of the comments below. It really looks like a construction site with scaffolding! there are far better architects who can design better than this- its an eye sore! What's the deal behind all this?
Stephen Borg
Mar 26th 2010, 13:42
It looks like the skeleton of a Modern City high rise building and not a theater within an old city. This project does not comply with the rest of the Capital city. Our Capital City Valletta has been neglected and abused for years and from this theater it looks like this is going to continue.
Chris Ebejer
Mar 26th 2010, 13:40
Piano qed itina cans kbir u ser ihalli SPERANZA qawwija f'qalbna la jerga jasal mument opportun, din id-darba mhux il-hruq jew il-Bombi ta l-ghadu jeqirqu, imma ser jizmantellah il-poplu Malti stess!
...........U ejjew nghiduha kif inhi............. f' jumejn izzarma kollox!!!!
Roderick Cutajar
Mar 26th 2010, 13:11
Looks like a work in progress without the progress. I agree with the rest of the project but the opera house area looks pretty much half baked.
Alan Vella
Mar 26th 2010, 13:07
The photo says it all.
mario mifsud
Mar 26th 2010, 13:01
iva Flimkien KOLLOX possibli
anke l-impossibli
issa naraw xtahwid se jinqala fit-traffic gol belt u kemm se nzidu dhahen
l-aqwa li kellna process trasparenti tant illi l-gvern kien ga jaf li se jinghata l-permess ferm qabel it-Times tal-lum
Il-bieb tal garaxx kien simbolu tal faxxismu fi snin imghoddija u dan il-gdid simbolu tas-slogan ta Gonzi
deo micallef
Mar 26th 2010, 12:53
Dak tar ritratt x'inhu? Gallinar? Jaqaw ser naqbdu il hamiem kollu tal belt u nitfawh hemm? U parlament gdid x'nambuh meta il kabinett qed jiltaqa darba f'gimgha biss? Bini ta parlament u taparsi teatru ta kafkaf li qed jissejjah rigenerazzjoni tal belt!! Kemm tahsbuna boloh jahasra, nistghu inkunu nafu min ser ikunu dawn il-kuntratturi fdati b'dawn il progetti li iqumu il-miljuni li ser jithallsu minn flus il poplu??
JJ Creg
Mar 26th 2010, 12:34
The photo above gives an impression of ''fish bones'' !
The whole project should be given to the Maltese completely. I bet the Maltese architects/designers can do better besides being practical.
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 26th 2010, 12:18
p.s. - vis-a-vi the whole project, I only see it as preparation work for any future project!!
Joseph Aquilina
Mar 26th 2010, 12:15
"The 47th attempt to regenerate the opera house ruins in Valletta" - and with this proposed solution there will most probably be a 48th as well!!
P.Cassar
Mar 26th 2010, 12:14
THE ABOVE PHOTO SAYS IT ALL
AND YET YOU FIND SOME WHO ARE JUBILLANT ABOUT IT!!!
ENJOY POOR MALTA
K.Anastasi
Mar 26th 2010, 12:11
Looking at the photo, it gives the impression of scaffolding and an air of incompleteness about it. It sticks out like a sore thumb. Lets leave all the political gesturing and just say what it is...... an eye sore. Im sorry I prefer it the way it is if I had to choose, surely a better design could have been chosen.
H DEMPSTER
Mar 26th 2010, 12:08
GROUND ZERO!!!!!!!!
C Cassar
Mar 26th 2010, 12:07
Finally the go ahead for a breath of fresh air for Valletta. Thank God the plans don't include rebuilding the past stuffy old designs. Valletta will at last move into the 21st century and join other European cities that have successfully combined buildings from the past with buildings from today. It will truly make Valletta a European city.
Lawrence Fenech
Mar 26th 2010, 11:57
Singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling..............
D Azzopardi
Mar 26th 2010, 11:53
To me this structure is a WWII monument recalling the blitz.
mario gellel
Mar 26th 2010, 11:46
JUST BY LOOKING AT THE PICTURE IS ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU SICK.
Ramon Casha
Mar 26th 2010, 11:28
The government should at least use the cheapest materials possible for the "theatre", since it's going to be taken down again anyway the moment we get a competent government.
Norman Lowell
Mar 26th 2010, 11:21
"This is the last, miserable act of Gonzi's miserable government."
Joe Azzopardi
Mar 26th 2010, 10:54
This is a good decision. Valletta, and the whole of Malta, need and deserve this project. It has been left off for far too long.
I Cassar
Mar 26th 2010, 10:33
The PL and Joseph Muscat have shot themselves in the leg. They were wisely advised not to turn this issue into a political one but the the temptation has been to great.
And what have they obtained, not the votes of many of the ones opposed to it, particularly the elitists who would rather have a theater then an open plaza for all the public frequenting Valletta. They will never be Labour. On the other hand to a party with roots such as the PL the open theater / plaza arrangement which will benefit all should have appealed naturally.
They also showed that after lots of talk and a few cosmetic changes they are still a party that does not have political convictions strong enough to stand on their own, and needs this sort of petty political manipulation. I am a floater Mr Muscat and you have disappointed me on this one.
Godwin Palmier
Mar 26th 2010, 11:03
I might not agree with all that is proposed, but I am pleased that at last something is being done, Valletta needs this project, Malta needs this project, The Valletta entrance has been a shamble ever since I was born I am now 54 years old and I am looking forward to see this project being completed. This is a non political issue, and I congratulate the goverment that it is going through with this project, unlike all the other many projects that where planned and never took off .
Victor Laiviera
Mar 26th 2010, 20:23
It was not the PL that politicised the issue. It was those in favour who - when they saw that they were in such pitifully small numbers - tried to drag politics into the issue, hoping to gain more support from PN suppoprters.
It did not work. Fully 80% of the people - Nationalist, Labour, AD and any other shade - oppose this abomination. One look at the photo reproduced above is enough to tell you why.
The fact that the Government is pig-headedly going ahead is a slap in the face to all of these - not least its own supporters.