Calleja entertains the crowd

Peter Borg

Jul 9th 2012, 14:23

Joseph is a national treasure and he is living proof that Maltese artists, businesses, scientists , sportsmen, etc can be world class and many already are. Shame on those of us who look down their noses at all things Maltese.

Dorothy Fenech

Jul 9th 2012, 06:52

The concert was superb!
Ronan Keating and Gigi D'Alessio fantastic showmen. They had the crowd roaring with pleasure!
But then when our own Joseph dominated the stage and sang it was magical!
The children's choir and Gillian Zammit deserved the applause they got.
Congratulations to all for mesmerising us!

Joe Xuereb

Jul 8th 2012, 23:48

Joseph Calleja is a great tenor and does Malta proud. It certainly sounds like the concert on the Granaries was an occasion to cherish and remember. Thanks to to the great musical composers that Mr. Calleja sang. Their music is great and will live forever. The anvil chorus is at least a hundred years old if not more and it still moves one. Thanks also goes to our two foreign guests, DAlessio and Keating. And last but not least, the little Maltese gems that make up the choir. Very well done boys and girls.

@ Alex Farrugia (8th July 11:29). The concert at the Granaries a couple of weeks back was great. But memorable? Classical music appeals to everyone because anything truly good is good forever. I know modern pop music has its merits but memorable in the longer term? I do not think so. That said, singers like Lucio Dalla, a troubled man, and very likely the source of his genius, did his best to leave a music legacy. But Lucio was one in a million.

The old theatre, the one in a state of utter ruination, a monument to shameless successive Administrations, ones that were more interested in self-aggrandisement than anything else. Philistinism rules OK in the Maltese corridors of power it seems. Nay! it's a fact! Renzo Piano's project, twice in the space of twenty years, and at a price. No Maltese architects around? Or is it only about prestige, eventually. As is, this joke was built during the Administration of so-and-so and it was the work of one very prestigious, internationally renowned Piano.

The Shard in London was inaugurated only last Thursday among much publicity but did not really delivery the hype. The weather did not help but we felt short-changed. The architect says that Sir Christopher Wren was passe' in spite of his many London churches with their spires. The design of the Shard (as in a shard of glass) is inspired by the spires but of course it is twenty times higher than any of Wren's. Hence Wren's churches are competing but lose out because of the Shard's sheer height. If this is really the case I think it very arrogant. Wren's churches have been there for four hundred years and more. Wren's churches are on the human scale (as Prince Charles would say) whereas the Shard is impressive for its virtuoso height and nothing much else. It also comprises apartments at fifty million pounds apiece. Who will buy such apartments? it begs the question. Comparing this magnificent but soulless building to Wren's spires is not unlike comparing 'E Lucevan le Stelle' with one Will.i.am. I don't think so. OK! I know it's a question of taste, but come on.....!

Regarding the Shard ( somehow referred to as Allah's Tower in the Google search), the following link is interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shard_London_Bridge

@Stephanie Caruana (8th July 01:28). Ms. Caruana. I think you got carried away there, madam.
More stylish to say: Grazzi Joseph, Grazie (one 'z' is enough) Gigi and thank you Keating (not Keaton). Niżżi ħajr lilek ukoll Stefanja.

Schembri Ray

Jul 8th 2012, 22:28

Il-Fosos kienu dejjem u jibqgħu jilqgħu nies kbar ta' fama internazzjonali.

Charles Bayliss

Jul 8th 2012, 16:55

Attended together with my partner for the first time. We were mesmerised by the great Joseph Calleja and his guests. Yesterday's concert was the first of many to come in which we will be attending. I wonder if NnG will be releasing a DVD of the concert. I suggest they do with the proceeds being donated to a charitable organisation of Joseph's choice.

Joseph Rapinett

Jul 8th 2012, 16:49

A magnificent evening. That is what we call good music.

Congratulations to everyone, looking forward for next year's concert.

In Malta we have real good talent including Amber and Gillian Zammit.

Adriano Spiteri

Jul 8th 2012, 14:56

Joseph Calleja had condemned the Valletta piano project
But then he was appointed Cultural Ambassador to Malta and never uttered another word about it
I bet he will be the first singer to inaugurate the new 'Opera house'!

Thomas C. Cassar

Jul 8th 2012, 10:46

Finally some decent music on The Granaries!!

Freda Busuttil

Jul 8th 2012, 10:45

Oh what an emotional fantastic evening it was! Listening to Joseph gives a feeling of 'inside' radiant happiness. One just stares, listens and deeply enjoys! Keaton and d'Alessio were great too but our Joseph Calleja is a sublime Maltese treasure. Malta is proud of you! Looking forward to next year as the more you listen to Joseph the more you yearn for what's to come!

Vincent Scerri

Jul 8th 2012, 10:24

A five star performance. Never missed a beat irrespective of the heat. Floriana granaries witnessed another superb spectacle. Applause to the The Three Tremors.....they truly made the granaries rumble.

N mifsud

Jul 8th 2012, 10:21

The concert was fantastic, However the site plan showed that the standing was to be on the side of the park, while in reality it was on the back. apart from that , while we could hear them singing we couldn't hear a word when the were speaking and paying 30 Ewros gives you the right to hear what is being said and not to be deceived about the site plan

C Lewis

Jul 8th 2012, 02:27

This is my fifth time at this truly remarkable annual event. Joseph gets better and better every year, a truly fanatstic tenor - the Maltese should be so very, very proud of him. I am British by birth and have lived in Malta for six years now and love this island - these events are very special and it is a real honour to be able to enjoy an international star in such a beautiful and intimate setting. Well done to all those involved and to the Maltese for nurturing such exceptional talent.

Stephanie Caruana

Jul 8th 2012, 01:28

Well done to all! An unforgettable evening! No words can ever explain or try to express the emotions I felt throughout the evening. So proud of you Joseph.
I really hope (or suggest) that you sell the rights to PBS so that they can broadcast the show during Christmas Festive Season.. I'm sure that after so may more people watching you on TV will want to come to the Concert next year.
Thank you Joseph, Grazzie Gigi and Thank you Keaton.
An applause goes also to the organisers NNG Promotion as always ultra professional!

Alfred Grech

Jul 7th 2012, 23:18

1st aria is very beautiful and magnifcently sung by Joseph. well done to all partecipants and organizers.