Calleja’s star shines bright
World famous Maltese tenor nominated for a Grammy for La Traviata
An operatic performance by Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja has been nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award, one of the biggest prizes in the music industry.
“I am thrilled that my Traviata opposite Renée Fleming has been nominated for a Grammy Award”- Joseh Calleja
The nominations for the Best Opera Recording include the Metropolitan Opera’s Doctor Faustus and the Royal Opera House recording of La Traviata, featuring Joseph Calleja, Renée Fleming, and Thomas Hampson.
In a comment on his Facebook page, Mr Calleja said: “I am thrilled that my Traviata opposite Renée Fleming has been nominated for a Grammy Award”.
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on February 12. The awards, from the US National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, are one of the highest accolades in recognition of outstanding achievement in the music industry.
Just last week, Mr Calleja wowed audiences in a prime time performance on Italian television when he sang in the series finale of variety show Ti Lascio Una Canzone.
He also recorded a performance for the Christmas edition of the show, to be aired on Rai Uno on December 23.
The Maltese Tenor, Mr Calleja’s third solo album for his record label Decca, recently debuted at number one in the US Billboard Classical Traditional chart.
He is also scheduled to be a soloist in Verdi’s Requiem in Cologne, and on December 8 will sing at the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Stockholm, which will be televised internationally.
Mr Calleja will be back on stage in New York in January, when he takes on the titular role in a new production of Faust at the Metropolitan Opera.