Denise Azzopardi
Maltese baritone wins in Helsinki
Joseph Lia placed third. Photo: Reuben Chircop
Baritone Joseph Lia has just returned from Helsinki, Finland, after winning third prize in the Christmas International Vocal Competition for Opera Singers.
One of the notable arias Lia sang during the final round was Oh Carlo Ascolta, Rodrigo’s death scene in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Don Carlos.
The audience welcomed his interpretation with great applause and a standing ovation.
Apart from winning third prize for his performance, Lia also received the special diploma prize awarded by head of jury Sergei Slonimsky, for the best interpretation of his contemporary piece, Spring Comfort.
Lia told The Sunday Times he feels honoured it was the composer himself who awarded him the prize.
“I feel as though I were living in the 19th century when Pyotr Tchaikovsky was head of jury and would award musicians for the best interpretation of his work – Onegin’s aria or the famous song Njet Tlko Tot Kto Znal, for example.”
Slonimsky is now considered next in line in the Russian composer’s hall of fame in St Petersburg, Russia, following Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and many others. Lia has been described by celebrated world famous Russian mezzo-soprano Elena Obratsova as having one of the most beautiful baritone voices she’s ever heard.
Lia is currently following the full five-year course in voice, specialising in opera singing, chamber music and teaching at the prestigious St Petersburg State Conservatory named after N. Rimsky-Korsakov. He is also a music composition graduate from the University of Malta.
Over the next two months, Lia will take on the main baritone role of Giorgio Germont in Verdi’s opera La Traviata at the St Petersburg Conservatory Theatre. At the end of this season, Lia will perform the part of Ebin-Haki in Tchaikovsky’s opera Iolantha at the same theatre.
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Noel Fava
Feb 2nd, 20:07
Well done !! yes true I agree. we need more concerts of Joseph Lia. Last time I saw him was in 2010 in a solo concert at the Manoel theatre organised by the Lions if I remember well. Very beautiful and sonorous baritone voice which filled the whole theatre. We need more of your concerts Joseph.
Mark Pace
Feb 1st, 22:39
Well done !! Another Joseph in the making ! Would like to see him perform more in Malta - Manoel theatre for example or the opera theatres in Gozo.
Giovanna Mifsud
Feb 1st, 21:37
prosit. well done ! would like to hear more in malta of this baritone
Lindsey Mallia
Feb 1st, 20:19
Brilliant - Malta may be a small Island but the talent is enormous :)
Keep up the good work Jo :)
Emmanuel Curmi
Feb 1st, 19:08
prosit Joseph! You deserve it! Keep up the good work and good luck for your future studies!
J Gauci
Feb 1st, 17:37
Well done Joseph. You are still young and you can make a good name for both you and Malta. KEEP IT UP
Christian Abdilla
Feb 1st, 16:35
Well done Joseph !
Eric Bonanno
Feb 1st, 16:14
Joseph is one of my best ex-student and I’m obviously very proud of his successes and very honoured to have been his teacher at St. Paul’s Missionary College, Rabat. He was always one to take his work very seriously. Remembering Joseph as a person of a rather quite and shy nature, I never imagined he would take up singing the way he did and was more than surprised to witness his prowess in this art when he performed in front of me at the school auditorium, a year ago tomorrow.
Also, to receive a special diploma prize awarded by Sergei Slonimsky is no petty feat. Ġuż, you’ve got what it takes to become great. Go for it!
Prosit! I’m very happy for you Joseph. Keep up the good work. You’re doing all Malta proud.
Estelle Calleja
Feb 1st, 10:42
Well done to Joseph !! Your future is with you !! Keep it up !! Est
Antonia Cassar
Feb 1st, 02:18
Well done Joseph. You make us Maltese proud.