Calleja hopes more Maltese would appreciate classical music

Joseph Ellis

May 3rd 2010, 21:04

i have have no doubt that appreciation of classical music can be engendered by Joseph Calleja's annual concerts that attract so many people.

Opera lovers recently had the occasion to see Joseph Calleja playing the title role in the Contes d'Hoffmann on HD direct from the Met. Though it is a very challenging role, he acquitted himself superbly. The performances from the Met this winter have been a veritable treat for opera buffs and next season promises to be even more exciting. Joseph will sing in Lucia di Lamermoor. One recommends these transmissions both to all opera lovers as well as all those who may wish to explore further their interest in this artistic genre. You can hardly get any fuller experience than the Met transmissions and the management of St James Cavalier deserves a huge "well done" for this initiative. Thanks indeed, Chris Gatt.

I sincerely hope that Joseph will intensify his presence in the local scene. An example for him to emulate would be that of fellow Met tenor, Marcello Giordano from nearby Priolo who annually organizes summer master classes to nurture budding talents.

Joe Xuereb

May 3rd 2010, 20:16

Calleja Joe, Maestro, I only saw you once at St John's Smith Square and you thrilled me. I spoke to you later and patted you on the back while we spoke, and I thought, I am talking to a world-famous co-national and he's so warm and friendly. He could only be a good Maltese, I thought. Please don't lose that Joe. Just take care of yourself and your voice. You have to thrill so many more people still, man.

Vincent Scerri

May 3rd 2010, 19:05

Joe Calleja did everything on his own steam and succeeded. Others lean on the government to fork out taxpayers money in organizing a festival so that one can participate, gratis, in the Eurovision Song Contest to promote Maltese's only(?) overseas window for Maltese singers. Well done Joe.

emanuel miggiani

May 3rd 2010, 18:38

Joseph Callejja is tauted to be the next Pavarotti by the achelons of opera and classical music from all over the world. We Maltese are (and should be) very proud to have another name added to the list of Maltese opera efficiandos together with the famous Soprano Anthoniett Miggiani of earlier times. I attended Joseph`s Concert on July of last Summer in Malta. I am also attendinig his presentation here in Canada on May 25 at the Roy Thomson Hall. He makes us so proud, especially living in Canada. Good luck Joseph(not that you need it, you`re already established in your own right)

Victor Dimech

May 3rd 2010, 18:29

The concert will be held on the floriana granaries.Do you mean open air?no roof?what about fireworks during some festa on the day or an aeroplane passing by on the way to or from the airport.

Alfred Grech

May 3rd 2010, 18:14

Those who don't like classic music are truly emotionally impoverished. The beauty of classic music is only understood by those who care to listen to it. Joseph Calleja is a blessing to Malta because he has reached a high level in his career. I wish him more luck in the future and hope the Maltese look up to Joseph and appreciate the area he got himself involved into - an exceptionally beautiful and satisfying area. Thank you Joseph and God bless you always.

Joseph Calleja

May 3rd 2010, 17:34

Mr Calleja classical music is not just for the elite. You would be surprised how many young people enjoy classical music but I have to admit you have to include modern music in your concerts. You are one of the biggest talents in the classical music world today but you have to include some modern music in your presentation like Pavarotti and the rest of the other famous tenors did or are doing. Expose yourself a bit more to the modern version. I heard you sing and you can do it all. A tour with the USA PBS TV won't hurt either. Thank you for sharing such a talent with us.

Larry and Helen Anastasi

May 3rd 2010, 16:56

We will be attending the Toronto Canada performance at the Roy Thompson Hall this May. Joseph has a rare talent, we are looking forward to his performance.

If anyone can encourage / reignite the appreciation for classical music, it will be Joseph Calleja.

We wish him much success on his tour.

J.F. Vassallo Ebejer

May 3rd 2010, 16:40

Joseph Calleja is a man who makes Malta proud – he is a world class act and is respected by everyone within the sector, especially overseas.

Yet, our dear PM, and his sidekick Austin, reckon they know more about theatres than this man!!

K. Pullicino

May 3rd 2010, 16:31

The highest form of art in Malta is unfortunately considered to be anything having a phallic structure or a crudely written article on a magazine. And I also forgot to mention the very "deep" plays.

James Dimech

May 3rd 2010, 16:25

Ma tarax. Hallina mill-muzika. Din il-muzika x'inhi xi dwejjaq ? Id-delizzju taghna l-Maltin, delizzju li hallewlna missirijietna u li huwa parti mill-kultura taghna, huwa li nohorgu bil-pickup u bis-senter, nisparaw kull haga li ttir, nimlew il-kampanja skratac u naghmlu xi girna f'nofs ghalqa b'xi bicca 'corrugated iron' imsadda.

Ahna ghandna l-kultura taghna l-Maltin sieheb. Hallina mill-muzika klassika. Dik halliha ghall-injoranti u slavag li joqghodu Londra, Parigi, Tokyo, Frankfurt u New York u li jmorru jarawha.

A Attard

May 3rd 2010, 16:11

Andrea Portelli: Speak for yourself. Please, re-read the article and this time, pay attention. "Tickets are selling very well"......Last but not least, those who have nothing of substance to say should keep their mouth shut.

Andrea Portelli

May 3rd 2010, 15:36

haha as if

L-aqwa il-leagues tal-football lokali u xi programmi vera nixfin.... dawk li iccempel biex tirbah xi fenkata nghidilom jien.

The Maltese are only interested in shallow mass entertainment, because s/he doesn't know better.

Clive Gerada

May 3rd 2010, 15:24

The same I hope for the Visual arts