Joseph Calleja delighted thousands of people on the granaries this evening (Thursday) in a concert that featured the best of classical music with the more modern songs of Riccado Cocciante and Dionne Warwick.
The concert was delayed by five days because of strong winds, leading Calleja to joke at the introduction that he had come to know the people at the Met Office on a first name basis.
But it was the sun rather than the wind, which was really on the tenor's mind, as he twice sang O sole mio, and got a standing ovation each time.
The concert was held under idyllic weather, with a gentle breeze which later calmed down as the concert warmed up.
On stage with the singers and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra was a 500-strong children's's choir which first came into its own as Calleja sang Il Gladiatore as scenes from the film Gladiator flashed on a screen behind them.
The choir also gave a beautiful rendering of Nella fantasia.
Joseph Calleja was joined on stage by Maria Abela for La Traviata, which was received with long applause.
The tempo continued to rise as Warwick then sang Heartbreaker and Calleja followed with La Donne e mobile.
Riccardo Cocciante, impressed with the emotion he put into his songs and attracted repeated applause from his many fans as he sang Siamo Noi, Poesia and later was joined by Calleja for Se Stiamo insieme, which drew a standing ovation. Margherita was just as well received, with Cocciante inviting the audience to join him a cappella.
Calleja was joined by Raquela for the popular Vivo per te.
Warwick, sometimes joined by her son, also continued to draw applause for I say a little prayer for you, and I know I'll never love this way again, and got a standing ovation for That's What Friends Are For, one of her best known songs.
Calleja, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate why he is Malta's best export, his golden voice singing several favourites including Nessun Dorma, not that anyone in the crowd felt like going to sleep.
Meanwhile, controversy broke out in Facebook, with some complaining that Calleja had not said or sang anything in Maltese.
The concert was presented by NnG Productions.