Italian pop icon Lucio Dalla arrived yesterday to “beautiful” Malta just one day before he performs his world famous song Caruso with Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja tonight on the Granaries, in Floriana.

Wearing a beige waistcoat over a black polo shirt, the Italian singer arrived at the airport with his characteristic tinted glasses and a large smile on his face.

“I love Malta very much. I couldn’t wait to come back,” he said.

He is one of the main protagonists of tonight’s concert where Mr Calleja will take centre stage for his annual summer concert. “I like to be here and hold concerts with the philharmonic orchestra,” he said.

The 68-year-old pop icon has carved out a strong international following with timeless singles such as Attenti al Lupo, Com’e` Profondo ‘l Mare and L’Anno Che Verrà.

His album DallAmeriCaruso, which launched the world-renowned Caruso, covered by Luciano Pavarotti, sold more than nine million copies.

His regular visits since 2007 have made him fall in love with Malta. “It is beautiful. The Maltese are fun and I look a bit Maltese too,” he said jokingly.

Tonight’s concert will be conducted by Malta-born maestro Charles Olivieri-Munroe and will also feature New Zealand-born starlet, Hayley Westenra and the 250-strong HSBC Children’s Choir.