Thinking ahead... Performances at Piano's theatre
Works on the opera house ruins may not yet have started but the government is already looking at the artistic aspect, including the programme for when it opens in 2012.
Internal meetings are being held to determine who will run the open-air performance space, what kind of facilities it will house and the programme of productions, on the insistence of Italian architect Renzo Piano, entrusted with the City Gate project.
“We have to start thinking ahead. It is useless completing the building and not have anyone to run it. The project has to be delivered by late 2012, so we do not have much time,” said Chris Paris, CEO of Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation, which is responsible for City Gate.
“If we want a space and experiences of quality, we need to think ahead.”
Konrad Buhagiar of AP, associate architects of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, said the project was not just a construction Mr Piano would present and leave behind.
“He is not interested in creating a building that is not used. He wants to ensure continuity and good productions – not mediocre performances. That is what would ensure the theatre’s success,” he said.
“If the first season in 2012 is to be successful, with world-class performances, the government has to start working on it from now,” Mr Buhagiar said after a symposium on Safety And Sustainability at the Westin Dragonara Resort yesterday.
“The government has understood the theatre is not just a building but something that will attract activity to town. The question is: What is that activity? What type of people and performances do we want to attract?”
Mr Piano had set the limitations for the facilities and it was up to the government to determine what kind of performances to put up within these boundaries, Mr Paris said.
Technology, he added, would play an important role in the open-air performance space and was currently being developed.
In fact, the German acoustics consultants engaged by the government confirmed Mr Piano’s idea that the same conditions of Milan’s La Scala, for example, could be reproduced on the opera house site, he said.
A digital theatre was being considered and could turn Malta into a centre for the sophisticated technology since not many such venues existed, Mr Buhagiar continued.
“It does away with the transportation of scenery, making it easier for companies to tour. It is more contemporary and cutting edge, with economic benefits, cutting down on giant expenses because you do not need to employ carpenters, painters and scenographers.”
The Florentine Studio Azzurro, specialising in video projections even for traditional performances, including opera and ballet, was consulting Mr Piano on the digital technology.
“The Maltese are obsessed with the idea that theatre is a building. Mr Piano, on the other hand, has been insisting you can do theatre in the street. A good actor could be as engaging as he is behind a velvet curtain on a stage,” he said.
“As an architect, Mr Piano believes in society. He is not only interested in presenting a building. The old opera house site would be a square by day, doubling as an open-air performance space, marrying the social and cultural elements.”
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
54 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
gaffarena joseph
May 15th 2010, 19:05
It is an insult to call that box an opera house.
I t is the biggest mistake that our prime minister made.
A mistake that will stay with us forever. Why we leave ,a national project like that in the hand
of a political leader.Why,do they take this burden,when they had opposition from people that
are experts in this field.
I, cry,when I, see other opera houses all over the EU,similar to our original opera house.
Let this so called open opera house be built,,and in the opening day be blessed with the
rain coming from heaven.
We waited year after year to re built that gem of an opera house,but our man made gods thought otherwise.
Anthony Pace Gouder
May 15th 2010, 20:00
This so called PIANO theatre seems to be another EXPERIMENT our Government is indulging in at the EXPENSE of the Maltese Citizens.
The other is at the PROPOSED Power Station Extension . The experimental TOXIC WASTE SCRUBBERS !!!! .
J S Borg
May 14th 2010, 22:28
At this moment I am watching and listening to a live concert on a German station. The place, I did not watch this concert from the start but it looks like a huge square infront of a lovely cathedral, Koln?. Readings the entries shown herein it follows, according to some contributors that the Germans are the laughing stock of Europe because the place is in the open air, there are no sellers of pastizzi, hobz biz-zejt, beer, sausages etc.
john a. ebejer
May 14th 2010, 19:03
I am an architect and urban planner who in recent months expressed my views in the Times and on timesonline.com on the City Gate project and on other topics. I refer to the comment below allegedly sent in by John Ebejer. For purposes of clarification, the comment was not submitted by the undersigned. john a. ebejer
John Ebejer
May 14th 2010, 22:26
You must be awfully terrified of being attributed to the comments I put down. Perhaps you can come to admit that the name 'John' is very common; 'Ebejer' is also a common name. So ... and my middle name starts with an 'X'. So, there!
john a. ebejer
May 15th 2010, 13:23
To John X. Ebejer
I came across various of your comments over the past weeks. Sometimes I agree with you, sometimes I don’t, but that is hardly relevant. The point is that your opinions are yours and should not be confused with anyone else’s.
This could easily be resolved if you sign John X. Ebejer.
john a. ebejer
victor pulis
May 14th 2010, 18:43
The theatre death knell was sounded when the idea of a new parliament was born. There is not one single parliamentarian who gives a hoot about art and culture and when ever they talk of culture it is only for the gallery. All they think about is politics, politics and more politics. They even want to regale us with a political history museum! no wonder the country is in such souless a mediocre state.
Chris Ebejer
May 14th 2010, 16:38
THE PIANO PAPRATA continues part 2..............
Adrian Borg Cardona
May 14th 2010, 16:12
Since when have architects become impresarios? When critics of the theatre spoke up, we were told to shut up as we know nothing about architecture (remember: "there are 400,000 arhitects in Malta"). I hope the same people will tell the architects to keep their place. It seemas Mr. Piano has been given a free hand to run the theatre. Will we find him in the ticket booth too?
Anthony Pace Gouder
May 15th 2010, 03:25
At his age , he is well within pensionable status , and this project has proved it too !
Maybe he will retire right there , in the roofless theatre !
John Grima
May 14th 2010, 16:12
"The Maltese are obsessed with the idea that theatre is a building". Well, we are certainly obsessed with THIS building, Mr. Paris. You see, Its not just a theatre. (An actor can indeed perform in a basement, with a bed sheet for a cutrtain.) IT IS A MONUMENT, SIR! A monument that we once had and it was taken away from us. A monument where a person entering the city of Valletta stood in awe at what s/he was faced with on the right hand side. An awsome introduction to other surprises following ahead.
Paulius Kulikauskas
May 14th 2010, 16:09
Mr. Pulis, my congratulations for taking the thought a bit further - right to the point. Off go the singers and the orchestra along with the stage decorations. Yet cannot this line of thought be completed, where everyone (including the audience, and perhaps the performers in the other part of the building, errh, you know what I mean) stays at home in front of their PC, and so there's no need for the theatres and debates whether they need a roof, should they or should they not look like oversized fish-bowls, where bad acoustics would not need to be compensated by electronic tricks, etc. And, Mr. Piano (or was it Mr. Buhagiar?), I quite agree that theatre is not a building, as church is not a building, and home is not a building. Why don't we architects then all re-qualify to social engineers and opera directors? ... and send the cheques back to the clients - there's many spectacular streets and squares in Valletta already? Then the money could be used for paying the operatic artists... It sounds that some are well on the way telling the client how to run his shop, or is it just Mr. Buhagiar?
EDWIN DE MARCO
May 14th 2010, 15:54
People living in glass-houses should undress in the dark...
victor pulis
May 14th 2010, 14:33
“It does away with the transportation of scenery, making it easier for companies to tour. It is more contemporary and cutting edge, with economic benefits, cutting down on giant expenses because you do not need to employ carpenters, painters and scenographers.”
That's right, let's get rid of the artists. Who needs art anyway? maybe one day we'll even produce virtual actors, then we can save on hiring real performers. Nothing like good old I.T. to save a bit of cash at the expence of art.
Christopher Grech
May 14th 2010, 14:13
The Piano's plan is subtle. It is supposed to propose the Parliament Building, which otherwise would not be built. Most of the funds are for the Parliament anyway, and they made sure that this had a roof.
So what do we get? A city gate with no gate, a theatre with no roof, and a much more expensive Parliament which we do not need.
As long as the MPs don't pay for it themselves, they do not mind it.
Funny how even the opposition is numb to the suggestion NOT to fund the new parliament. But then they do not seem to mind paying interest when funding bonds for this project. That is thinking ahead, reasonable funding for reasonable projects, and not some theatrics, be they theater or parliament!
Joe Busuttil
May 14th 2010, 13:30
And if it rains, please,please,can we have a bevy of lovely girls girls doing synchronized water ballet? Go on Gonzi,be a sport and include them in.
C.Sammut
May 14th 2010, 13:19
Victor Ross I personally have been saving for this concert since last year. It is quite obvious that you are not a classical music enthusiast and no my ticket is not platinum and yes I am struggling to pay my utility bills. Life should be a balance. We should not be working just to afford our utility bill as a lot of people are at the moment. You are simply being insensitive to people with a lower income than yours.
Victor Ross
May 14th 2010, 12:21
I agree with you Ian Galea. Just visit the webpage and try to book for Joseph Calleja's "OPEN-AIR" concert. It's nearly fully booked and the prices are not cheap eh? How did they manage to buy a ticket and pay for their utility bills? U HALLUNA
Mario Farrugia
May 14th 2010, 13:18
Qed thalltu l-hass mal-kabocci.....
Open air performances take place everywhere, all over the world. It's quite normal. And the paying public knows the risks involved in attending an open-air concert (too hot, too cold, rainy, etc.). B U T !!!....
These open air performances are usually held when thousands of people are expected to attend (like rock concerts, mass meetings, etc.) and no other indoor venue is suitable.
In this case, the talk (and protests) are about a SMALL, roofless theatre, with an ultra-modern design, in total contrast to the surrounding, centuries-old architecture of a bustling European capital city.... and costing millions of Euros to build!!!
Austen Lennon
May 14th 2010, 12:20
By the look of this - you won't be sitting on seats but on stands like a football pitch. There is no room for scenery so that's why all the talk of digital scenery: that is just a big screen behind the performers which will vanish when the sun shines on it and there is no box office or refreshment area for the interval. So prepare to be very thirsty after a hot night and standing in queues at the small burger bar across the street.
To be quite frank this will make the Maltese the laughing stock of Europe as far as Arts goes and that is a disgrace,
But it is going to happen as your politicians must have their talking shop and this theatre is the last of their interests. It is such a shame that your visitors will see a half finished theatre hidden behind the awful structure of the gold fish box which will be the politician's new chamber. What a mess they are making of this once grand city!
C.Sammut
May 14th 2010, 12:17
Isn't it meant to be the other way round? That is, first study needs, and then plan a project?..
To Ian Galea.. please leave Joseph Calleja's concert out of this.. we should be proud to have a performer of his calibre on our islands.. and he has currently no other alternative than to perform in an open air venue, given the crowd he attracts. Perhaps you can come up with a more constructive suggestion?
Victor Laiviera
May 14th 2010, 12:15
So Mr Paris thinks that "The Maltese are obsessed with the idea that theatre is a building. ".
Is Mr Paris not Maltese himself? Of perhaps he looks on himself as some special example of the Maltese race, free from the "obsessions" the rest of us ordinary mortals suffer from?
What an arrogant attitude! God save us from jumped-up apparatchiks who's swollen head makes them think they can look down on the rest of the population.
R. Abela
May 14th 2010, 12:02
Around 4 years ago the Prime Minister proposed a golf course at Xghara il- Hamra in north of the country. Do you remember? What happened? Most NGO`s opposed this idea and the Prime Minister accept that it is not the right thing to do. Why not this time the P.M. accept he is wrong? Piano and the P.M. are going to be named for this project if it is submitted as the greatest omlette in their carrier.THE BIGGEST MISTAKES ARE OF THE WISE PEOPLE say a Maltese saying.
philip pace
May 14th 2010, 12:01
So according to some bloggers those who are against this kind of theatre are classified as moaners.
I ask these bloggers if they know what performing art is and means and if they have performed//worked in a theatre in their life! What experience do they have? Where did they perform? What kind of performance?
I have been involved in the arts since the early 1970s (Salesians) and ventured into many aspects of the same art especially when sound was the main problem and many different theatres in Malta and Gozo.
I also ask Mr.Paris what he knows about managing a theatre.
I should also ask him if he is really confident that the theatre shall be delivered 'sometime' in 2012? Is he ready to put his head under the axe? Can he give out a guarantee?
Let our P (Piano) M (Man) build the theatre as he so desperately wants ( a project that nobody asked for)and then we shall see.
If I would be proved wrong I would admit that in writing.
But if I am proved right then all would have been a sad and total waste of resources!
Joe E Galea
May 14th 2010, 11:45
They should put up shows like Gone with the Wind (as wind will definitely ruin most of the acoustics and in MNalta we have wind on most of the days), Singing in the rain or It's raining men (since it's an open space aka theatre rain will pour in..literally), etc etc.
MMM the cleaners there will have a 24hr job to keep the place clean from dust, dirt, water, humidity, etc, etc. One advantage of this open space aka theatre is that you can get a sun tan while watching a production in the sun.
If the German experts are the same ones as those who consulted the government on roads, then it's just the cherry on the cake.
Louis Schembri
May 14th 2010, 11:39
We should get Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to inaugurate it. Now that would be something!
Joe Micallef
May 14th 2010, 11:34
Through the grapevine I have information that the first event is going to be a talk attended by celebrity architectural critics.
Whilst I am in favour of the project I am starting to think that it's critics were right.
How the heck do they intend fitting all the local celebrity critics in such a small venue and moreover with their high flying egos having these critics congregated in a roofless venue can pose a serious danger to continental and inter-continental flights - I don't include space shuttle flights just because the congregation would lack critical mass.
Ian Galea
May 14th 2010, 11:31
So I take it that all of you moaners commenting here will not be going to Joseph Calleja's concert to be held at the granaries ... what with car horns, wind whistling, petards, mobile phones ringing ruining your concentration you will all be staying at home! ... Give it a break will you? This project will be something to be proud of ... and please leave politics out of it. If the project is ready just before the elections, it will help PL with all these people allegedly against it!!
Albert Buttigieg
May 14th 2010, 11:58
One point you seem to have missed, Mr Galea - it is not going to be held in a theatre - it's to be held in an already existing space that is not going to cost €8million to 'build'!!! I am aware of various fantastic open-air venues which have been used, some to a lesser degree, and given fantastic results - e.g. Argotti gardens, Herbert Ganado Gardens, President's palace courtyard, Pjazza SGorg Valletta, Villa Bighi, Upper and Lower Barrakka gardens, Verdala palace, Girgenti palace, Vilhena palace, St Elmo, parvis of various churches - Mdina cathedral, San Gwann (the village), Mgarr church -every one of these venues was not originally intended as performance space but through an intelligent interpretation of artists, planners and performers these spaces were given a new lease of life. Why create another HALF-BAKED 'solution'? Going back to the Calleja concert (against which I have absolutely NOTHING), the orchestra and singers are invariably artificially amplified, which makes it possible to surpass any level of noise pollution. This should not be the way forward for a 'new' space!!
Karl Camilleri
May 14th 2010, 11:03
I wonder what type of seating is gonna be installed inside the theater, maybe plastic sponsored by Kinnie?
The big question is; Why are the authorities sticking to Piano's (theater) project when much of the citizens don't agree with it.
laurence schembri
May 14th 2010, 10:59
It is not an obsession, it is called culture.
R. Caruana
May 14th 2010, 10:55
One good season of performances and all the moaning below will be forgotten.
Wouldn't be surprised if some of those artists complaining today would be first in line to perform!
Lawrence Fenech
May 14th 2010, 10:47
If the performance and atmosphere is similar to last Friday's performance in parliament it will be worth waiting for most probably with a front and preferential seat for the speaker Dr. Michael Frendo.
Victor Laiviera
May 14th 2010, 10:33
One show which is definetly ruled out is "The Phantom of the Opera" - nowhere to hang the chandelier.
Unless, of course, we have a "digitally projected chandelier" on a "digital projected roof"!
fred mallia
May 14th 2010, 10:33
thanks to piano, we may afford to attend shows ets. as the entrance fee should be half those we ara being charged to day. the piano's theatre is roofless than less expenses,we shall carry umbrellas and we shall not clap but make noises iether with with mouth or....
Chris Fenech
May 14th 2010, 10:26
Look at the positive side of this open-air theatre: you will not be asked to switch off your mobile phone before a performance begins, because there would be tens of people and cars just a few metres away from the theatre going around, shouting, laughing, honking horns, receiving mobile calls, etc.
Joseph Cauchi
May 14th 2010, 10:21
It seems that the “Moaners” are at it again.
Give us a break, please!
JC.
Albert Buttigieg
May 14th 2010, 11:00
Have you ever performed open air....excuse me - Have your EVER performed Mr Cauchi? Or are you another armchair 'whatever this govt says is ok' chap? What a waste of valuable space, time and money!!
"Mr Piano had set the limitations for the facilities" - thank God, and our dear govt and Mr Piano, of course, for 'building'/giving us another venue!!!
mario gellel
May 14th 2010, 10:19
Since it is an open(?) air theatre, why not invite some girls from Amsterdam red district??
They bare it all anyway which is a good match with a bare theatre.
sciortino m
May 14th 2010, 10:11
I suggest a season of the "Theatre of the Absurd".
George Falzon
May 14th 2010, 10:07
Ok so its a Cabrio how about playing Unfinished symphony - Schubert, Symphony No. 8 in B Minor for starters
J.Borg
May 14th 2010, 10:07
"The project has to be delivered by late 2012"
As if in Malta we always deliver projects on time!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The project has to be delivered late 2012 just to coincide with the Prime Minister calling elections!!!!!!
Albert Buttigieg
May 14th 2010, 10:06
I do believe that our Prime Minister had stated that this project was necessary to create employment, especially in this time of recession. And yet Mr Buhagiar is extolling the virtues of digital technology, “because you do not need to employ carpenters, painters and scenographers.”
Which side are you on, Mr Prime Minister? Are you for creating employment, or doing away with it?
Jason Attard
May 14th 2010, 10:01
How disgusstingly ULGY !!!
If you ask me is a semi-constructed site... it's like some african buildings where they start building a home, run out of money, leave the structure semi-constructed and live in 1 room.
In my opinion tal habba gozz !!!
Albert Buttigieg
May 14th 2010, 09:58
What a load of rubbish to justify the unjustifiable! However, Mr Buhagiar is absolutely right about us not needing a theatre: in fact we do not even need actors. We already have a number of comedians masquerading as parliamentarians. All they need to do is change the venue of their performance.
Victor Laiviera
May 14th 2010, 09:50
The permanent construction site - excuse me, "roofless theatre" - excuse me "open air theatre", excuse me "open-air performance space" looks more horrible every time I see a picture of it.
Franco Debono (Xghara, Gozo)
May 14th 2010, 09:42
Where's Everybody Version 1.1 !!!!!!!
M Godson
May 14th 2010, 09:39
singing in the rain ..the musical..the tempest..play...spoilt for choice,we will be..mark my words..snow white.. the pantomime...rite of spring..classical concert....etc etc.. swan lake...ballet
K Sciberras
May 14th 2010, 10:09
You forgot "Fiddler on the Roof"....hahahahha :)
Joe Cassar
May 14th 2010, 09:35
"In fact, the German acoustics consultants engaged by the government confirmed Mr Piano’s idea that the same conditions of Milan’s La Scala, for example, could be reproduced on the opera house site, he said."
Have these experts considered the effect of the wind whistling through the bars of tha cage, unless it's an absolutely still day?
Ian Galea
May 14th 2010, 09:46
Do you actually believe that they haven't?!?!?
Joe Cassar
May 14th 2010, 09:54
Actually, Mr Galea, I am wondering whether they exist at all.
M Micallef
May 14th 2010, 11:11
... are they the same German experts who were brought over to consult us on how are roads should be built? The comedy turns to tragedy in Malta!
John Ebejer
May 14th 2010, 09:28
This is all too marvellous for words, .... reading it! On paper! It's when we come to the nitty-gritty that problems will start. So, we are going to have people who have no idea what theatre is about, telling us what productions are going to be put up. Fine. Let's all wait with baited breath to see what performances ARE ACTUALLY put up, ... if for nothing else, just to prove the Government right about Piano's theatre. One question in the meantime: are Maltese artistes going to be kept away from the decision-making with regard to 'Piano's theatre'?