Another tribute for Calleja

Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja has received further praise and recognition for his new album 'Joseph Calleja, the Maltese Tenor' by the north German broadcasting network NDR.

Positioning 'The Maltese Tenor' as 'Album of the Week', the NDR review says that Joseph Calleja has been "equipped by the Gods" with an "unrivalled voice".

Joseph Calleja's third solo album was released in Germany on May 20 and was followed by another successful release in Italy on May 24.

The album is set to be released across the rest of Europe within the next month.

In her review of Joseph Calleja's latest album, music critic Christiane Irrgang states that the album was produced intelligently and tastefully, delivering some of the best pieces in the tenor's repertoire including "Che gelida manina", "E lucevan le stele" from 'Tosca' and the ballad of Little Zack from "Hoffmanns Erzählungen".

According to Irrgang, these pieces "confirm that Calleja is rightly so celebrated for his opera performances. He shapes his parts intelligently and tastefully. Nothing is being forced in a typical tenor way. The voice flows freely and climbs easily as it climbs to the highest heights."

"I would have never dreamt of achieving these results without the constant support I have received over the years from my family, close friends, my professional trainers and fans.

"This recognition is great news for me and I would like to thank the record label DECCA for their good work on this new album," said Joseph Calleja.

Joseph Calleja has just ended a series of performances of the famed Puccini: La Boheme: Rodolfo at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany.

The Maltese Tenor will be performing in Malta during the annual summer concert on July 9, at The Granaries in Floriana.

This year, he will be joined by Italian icon Lucio Dalla and New Zealander soprano Hayley Westenra. The concert will also include the participation of the HSBC Children's Choir.

Tickets starting from €35, for the general standing area, are available from www.nngpromotions.com. The concert is supported by Vodafone Malta, HSBC and Malta International Airport.