Calleja shows why he's worth waiting for
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.
111 Comments
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Joe Xuereb
Aug 3rd 2010, 11:18
@ Stiefnu (Steve) Borg u Manwel (Manuel) Mangani. Il-Malti hu lsien Gharbi. Stiefnu, il-ghedewwa tal-Malti huma l-Maltin bl-Inglizati. Manwel, naf li hafna ma jridux jammettu il-gherq tal-Malti. Imma l-verita` ma tistax tichadha.
Ghal dak li ghandu x'jaqsam mal-ghaziz kantant taghna Joe Calleja, naf li hemm opri bil-Malti. Nisthajjel li hemm xi arja li Joe jista` igeddidha u jaghmilha popolari. Forsi tkun in-Nessun Dorma ta' Malta. Ejja Joe hi, aghlaq halq il-gemgiema.
Ma kontx hemm. Imma milli nista' nifhem il-serata marret sew ferm. Nizzik hajr Joe. Forsi sena ohra siehbi.
Hafna Maltin jghixu barra u jaghmlu l-arja u jmaqdru lil arthom . Bhal f'kull pajjiz iehor, hemm min imur tijatri biex jidher. Biex issemmi ismijiet ta' kompozituri 'mhux ta' kuljum' (bhal Stockhausen) ma tritx tkun espert tal-muzka klassika.
Malti ta' Londra (minn nofs seklu) li mar, fi tfulitu, Covent Garden tlitt darbiet fil-gimgha u sema` l-aqwa, jekk ma tantx ra, ilhna bl-irhas siggu nofs lira, hemm fuq, ma' 'l-allat'. Illum il-gurnata l-istess siggu xi hames liri. Imma aktar niehu gost nisma` opra fuq CD bil-librett f'hogri, komdu fuq petruna. U meta nghejja, nkompli wara. Dak kollu. Tigu b'hafna snobizmu u cucati u idjoziji. Kliem fil-vojt.
Leonard Cole
Aug 1st 2010, 11:08
Well one of the critics referring to Calleja’s Concert said that the concert was a “mish mash concert”. He also took his time to criticise everyone including the artists. Well seems that Mr. Fenech gives the impression he knows it all, and criticises his own people for enjoying a wonderful show and hailing the artists. I would like to say one thing to Mr. Fenech this country does not need people like you, cause instead of giving the deserved merit to the organiser, the artists and Maltese people you are one of the few who always tries to overshadows this country.
Furthermore if you believe that Cocciante and Warwick are the normal pop stars i would seriously recommend you to see what these artists accomplished .
Dr Amalia Camilleri Bonello
Jul 31st 2010, 18:44
@J.Fenech. 1. Having a doctorate in Medicine and Surgery, and , by the way, diplomas and certificates in Music doesn't exactly qualify me as an idiot.
2. Having pride in my maiden surname and writing it after my husband's family name is a choice and not a declaration of intelligence, and, even if so, it is none of your business.
3. I have lived for several years in the UK in the world renowned hub of education which is Cambridge. You are not the only Maltese person with a cultural mind. My family, together with several colleagues and friends have returned to Malta leaving high positions in the UK and other countries because we are proud to be Maltese and would rather give our services to our home country which is far from being mediocre as you say, and because, like Joseph Calleja, believe in the potential of Malta and the Maltese. I have had enough of 'Maltese living abroad and hence better than all you lot still there' syndrome. Please do not insult the real Maltese at heart, especially those who attended the concert, by calling us ignorant, mediocre and fools.
kvella
Jul 31st 2010, 17:15
200 euros for an average worker, let's say is quite a sum!! Mr Calleja is a great tenor the other two not bad, but the greatest singer was Elvis and am sure his concerts didn't cost that much. And he did his best not to make them expensive for his crowd cause was not interested in money but to entertain people!! no wonder he was and still is loved that much!
paul degabriele
Jul 31st 2010, 13:56
wonderful calleja.never seen the like of him
p.piscitelli
Jul 31st 2010, 15:02
Thank-you times of malta I enjoyd a lot the video as I live in italy i couldn't be there.A lovely cancert Joseph Calleja is great.
To Mr.joe Fenech PLEASE SHUT UP.
Melanie Demanuele
Jul 31st 2010, 09:48
@Joe Fenech - How patronizing indeed. It is patently obvious that you have no idea what is going on in the opera world nowadays. I am an avid opera follower and Calleja is not the only tenor I enjoy. Ever heard of Rolando Villazon? He has been on TV here in the UK with the "Pop to Opera" show and few would argue that he isn't a serious opera singer.
Going back to Calleja he has actually performed in Germany on various TV programs alongside opera and POP stars. Or perhaps should I mention the Faeonol Festival in Wales headed by the Welsh baritone star Bryn Terfel. There pop artists regularly appear alongside opera singers too...I could go on and on.......
Joe Fenech
Jul 31st 2010, 10:28
Might not know about opera young lady but seen every piece from Monteverdi to Berg to Saariaho!
VIllanzon? I'd prefer to see him in a Bellini rather than clowning in a mish mash show.
I do have some disks by Terfel singing FOLK songs. In none of the cases does he sing with pop singers and if he did on other CDs IT IS BAD TASTE TOO!
OK, Calleja has sung abroad with pop singers then. Remember that il-Gahan Malti has his offshore versions too! But STILL these concerts are looked down upon by serious music critics.
This is not about POP or CLASSICAL vocal techniques being wrong. It's that they don't go together! Try mixing zabaglione with a bistecca Fiorentina...!
These cross-overs are just another of populism that's hit our world, the effect of which is even worse in uncultured terrain like Malta.
This populism is mostly brought forward by the ailing music industry trying. I don't know, Miss-I-Know-It-All, how much you know about that kind of thing. There is one thing you should know: recordings don't make money anymore, concerts do, so the recording industry is trying every gimmick in order to boost its sales figures.
myriam warrington
Jul 31st 2010, 09:32
@ A E Camilleri. Why wishful thinking? Zucchero has been here before and wowed the audience at the waterfront. Imagine with Joseph Calleja! I forgot to mention others like Phil Collins, Michael Buble etc. And I am sure that Claudio Baglioni would be more than willing to come back again. Yes, we are now on the map thanks to Joseph. We have nothing to stop us.
NNG please note, but please make sure the tickets are affordable for EVERYONE to enjoy!
J.Camilleri
Jul 31st 2010, 08:17
Joseph Calleja is a professional singer like Oreste Chirchop was in Hollywood. Can you ever imagine watching Oreste speaking in Maltese in Hollywood???! What Calleja did was purely professional. If he ever wanted to sing in Maltese he would throw a concert all by himself on the island for you moaners to shut you up. Be greatful and learn to show some respect.
Edward Zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 06:10
Kapulavur...Prosit Joseph Calleja...no enough words in the vocubulary to express the greatness of such a show. This is what 121 square miles of land can produce...A night that should make every Maltese proud to be what we really are. Well done to everyone!!
Emanuel Magrin
Jul 31st 2010, 02:41
Also one must not forget to give a mention to All members of the orchestra under the baton of
The BRAVISSIMO MAESTRO LEONARDO DE AMICIS.
Ann Camilleri
Jul 30th 2010, 23:18
Well done! A truely magnificent evening! We sang, we smiled, we cried, we clapped and we cheered proud that Joseph Calleja is Maltese and thankful for our lovely weather. Riccardo delivered the Passion and Energy whilst Dionne delighted us with such little effort. The lit up Church and the young voices added to the character of the evening taking us a step closer to Heaven Well done to all who participated looking forward to an encore next summer.
malcolm seychell
Jul 30th 2010, 22:08
Well done.
To all those Maltese who wanted Calleja to sing in Maltese
What song did you want calleja to sing?
L innu tal labour jew tal PN?
Charmaine Marmara'
Jul 31st 2010, 11:39
well said lol
T Cilia
Jul 30th 2010, 21:17
Magical evening! I felt that I was transported to heaven.... brilliant performance by all! Joseph Calleja was magnificent as always. I cannot believe that some people have the audacity to pass petty comments about him. We should thank him for the fact that he takes the time to put up such a beautiful concert in his homeland for locals to enjoy. I have watched Joseph Calleja at the Vienna Opera House in La Boheme and at The Royal Opera House in Simon Boccanegra with the great Placido Domingo just a few weeks ago, where on both occasions he was given a standing ovation by the audience present (and these are only two instances of his glorious career) and yet every year he finds the time to put up these beautiful concerts for our benefit and some of us have the impudence to find some petty fault.
All I can say is THANK YOU Joseph for enthralling us with your magnificent performance.... you make us soooo proud!
Cocciante was also brilliant and most enjoyable. All in all a perfect evening... WELL DONE to all.
Franco Mercieca
Jul 30th 2010, 21:15
Very Proud to be Maltese always.......esp watching Joseph Calleja
Thanks Joseph for putting us on the map
Joe Fenech
Jul 30th 2010, 21:03
To the ones below stating that my comments are sour grapes or that "I have limited tastes"
Dear all, I'm in my mid 70s, based mainly in London, seen every major orchestra and artist from the Vienna Phil to the Bavarian Radio SO, from Joan Baez to The Beatles, Mahmoud Guinia to Stockhausen performing with his ensemble to King Crimson and Chet Baker . I've also enjoyed seeing Joseph Calleja in 'Macbeth' at the Met and in 'S Boccangera' in London..so PLEASE!!!!
Pop and classical vocal techniques are completly different. NO ONE CRITICISED POP MUSIC OR POP SINGERS!!!!! Although Cociante is as naf as things can get!
As to those who wanted Calleja to sing a Maltese song: what on earth do you expect him to sing? An innu tal-festa, a Chiara song or 'Lanca Gejja u Ohra Sejra'???
I repeat: Joseph Calleja would have been lynched by critics had he done something similar in London or Berlin or indeed any city/country that boasts some culture. It's all a matter of taste and respect towards the Maltese people who have been taken for fools!
This was just populism at its very best!
Andrew Muscat
Jul 31st 2010, 00:14
It's a good thing you're based in London. Stay there!
Kevin Zammit
Jul 31st 2010, 00:51
Joe ... you're being a complete twit. Just because I can afford to go to covent garden to hear him sing or else that I may appreciate the works to actually feel the price tag deserves being spent does not in itself imply that should be the norm. Calleja and Pavarotti simply bring music in all its form to the masses just as much as Mozart and Shakespeare did for a quick buck. Difference being that these gentlemen can do without it and act with a purpose. Pavarotti went a grade way above anyone since the takings were mostly given to charity ... but I guess that small act would escape the likes of you. God willing Mr. Callejja accumulates the pull power the great Luciano had would hopefully one day do the same.
Joseph like Pavarotti should be admired and praised for putting their will were their mouth is and giving to society with the talents bestowed upon them. If you cant wrap your egotistic brain around that then you certainly do not deserve to grace the steps of a house meant for the arts. After all just as the short-ern commoner said 'la festa siamo noi'
Dr. David James Camilleri
Jul 31st 2010, 20:19
Dear Joe,
you seem to be suffering from the 'I'm Maltese and I live abroad Syndrome'.
This well defined syndrome usually affects those people who are not proud to be Maltese and wish they were born British (or otherwise).
These individuals try to identify themselves as superior to their fellow countrymen who stay back.
They have done and seen it all and their opinions on every matter under the sun count more than everybody elses.
They suffer from bouts of self aggrandisement trying to make everybody feel inferior.
Instead of giving people due praise for trying to organize something different, many out there including Joe choose to denigrate others' efforts.
Why this destructive criticisim ?
P.S. And just in case you're coming up with some intelligent comments like you came up with in answering Dr.ACB....I do not think I am more intelligent than others by being a doctor, but at least I would like to think I have more empathy for peoples' efforts.
josephine zahra
Jul 30th 2010, 20:56
prosit serata sabiha , haga wahda id dizappuntatni lanqas kelma wahda bil malti, wara kollox 90% tan nies kienu maltin .xorta prosit ghax is serata sabiha ta veru.
Pule' Carmel
Jul 30th 2010, 20:06
My wife, really really enjoyed it.
As an old fox, I believe the session was organised to subtly persuade and show the Maltese public that an OPEN AIR THEATRE has its benefits too!!!!!! Obviously it was a great show, even without a roof !
R Camilleri
Jul 30th 2010, 19:20
Prosit Joseph Calleja. Gawhra ohra ta' Malta. Min imaqdar irid jixtri. Tathiex kas il-kummenti bla sens ta' certi nies li suppost huma Maltin. Proset mill - GDID u nawkuralek aktar successi.
Joe Fenech
Jul 30th 2010, 19:07
Mario Vella Laurenti
Jul 30th 2010, 18:16
What a fantastic performance by all of the artists, especially Joseph Calleja. He really is a star and I can see him becoming the next great legend of Opera. He could easily succeed in taking the place of Placido Domingo, the other great tenor. I only wish I had seen the whole show. I was going to see it when I was in Malta last week but unfortunately it was cancelled because of the wind. But I really enjoyed what I saw here on the Times of Malta.