Update 3: Joseph Calleja receives honorary degree
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
"I am very much a Maltese product, I am very proud of my heritage, it is genuine love I feel for this nation," Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, 34, said this evening just after he was bestowed with a Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) degree from the University.
He was conferred the degree in recognition of his achievements as one of the world’s finest tenors who has sung "an impressive number of roles and performed on most of the world’s leading opera stages" bringing joy to millions and inspiring the young.
Wearing a University of Malta gown, Calleja treated the academics, relatives and guests at the University's Valletta Campus with a rendition of the Panis Angelicus and the Ave Maria.
In a brief address, he described the event as "an emotional moment". He said it gave him immense pleasure that his achievements abroad were recognised here in Malta.
Calleja said that throughout this experience, he had received lots of congratulatory messages from friends, acquaintances and people he did not know he knew.
Jokingly, he said that the event almost did not happen because he was informed he had to present his Form II report.
He spoke about an incident when he was at a park with his children in Malta and children went up to him asking him if he was Joseph Calleja. They then started singing the Nessun Dorma.
The man who wants to bring opera to the masses said that to him this was "mission accomplished".
The Maltese tenor spoke about his late father Charles, who, he said, would have been proud.
In an oration, Prof. Joe Friggieri said that Calleja had already sung 30 principal roles and performed on most of the world’s leading opera stages, including New York’s Metropolitan, London’s Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Vienna Staatsoper and the Deutsche Oper in Berlin.
Calleja, he said, made his professional debut in Gozo in 1997, singing the role of Macduff in Macbeth. Six weeks later he was one of the winners of the Belvedere Hans Gabor competition in Vienna, standing out among 3,800 contestants from around the world. He went on to win the 1998 Caruso competition in Milan and was among the prize-winners in Placido Domingo’s Operalia the following year.
Prof. Friggieri gave a brief overview of the tenor's career and said that he was making it possible for millions of people around the globe, regardless of age and social background, "to have their lives enriched, their consciousness heightened, and their experience intensified by being exposed to the beauty and power of his voice.
"We as a nation are justifiably proud of his achievement. The University of Malta is the first academic institution to grant him an honorary degree. It will certainly not be the last."
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34 Comments
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A Farrugia
Nov 4th 2012, 21:37
Joseph, well done for this big achievment, I am sure all Maltese are proud of you. Kelma wahda jekk ma jimpurtax, ibqa stmat kif int, ghalhekk nissugerilek thalli il politka fil genb, mhux kullhadd jaf jiehu cajta politika, niggarantilek li hawn hafna minn hu sensitiv.
Keep up the good job, Bravo.
Carmen Laudi
Nov 3rd 2012, 21:13
Congratulations from Toronto Mr. Calleja.. you make all maltese people proud that you are one of us....God bless... you deserve all the accolades!!
Joe Xuereb
Nov 3rd 2012, 19:30
Kemm se ndumu ninħbew wara skużi foloz li l-Malti ħadd ma jifhmu? Il-Pollakk, eċċ. ukoll ħadd ma jifhimhom imma l-ebda ċerimonja ma ssir bl-Ingliż biex kulħadd(??) jifhem. U l-Pollakki/Maltin u n-nanniet li ma jafux bl-Ingliż, dawn narmuhom il-baħar, Agius? Wara kollox ftit Maltin jafu Ngliż sew minkejja kliem vojt. Li qiegħed ngħid minnu għax raġunat b'inteliġenza, Agius.
Joseph Eynaud
Nov 3rd 2012, 09:05
Naqbel mas-sur Grech. Se fejn naf jien il-Malti huwa ilsien ufficjali tal-UE. Il-Malti kien u jibqa lingwa tal-kcina!!
Jekk kien hemm xi hadd fil-knisja li ma jifhimx il-Malti imishom ipprovdu interpretu. Ghalhekk l-Universita tharreg tradutturi u interpreti. Il-kumment certifikat IIC (suggerit u pronunzjat) kien vojt u bla sens fil-kuntest ta' cerimonja solenni!!
Brian Grech
Nov 3rd 2012, 08:21
Well done but thumbs down for the lack of respect we owe to our mother language!!! We do all the talk about our Maltese tenor and then the ceremony is conducted in English.This only occurs in our country!
JJ Agius
Nov 3rd 2012, 08:45
True but English is our second language becomming the world language & can be understand by 100 % of the audience.Off course we are proud of our language & proud we can all communicate with a world
language,In fact Mr.B.G. you also wrote in English.
J.J.
Joseph Eynaud
Nov 3rd 2012, 08:52
I completely agree Mr Grech. We keep forgetting that Maltese is an official language of the EU. Il-Malti kien u ghadu l-ilsien tal-kcina!! Jekk kien hemm xi hadd li ma jafx il-Malti fil-knisja ghalhekk jezistu l-interpreti. Fl-Universita' inhargu tradutturi u interpreti ghal dan il-ghan. Il-kumment certifikat tat-IIC u min issuggerih kien vojt u bla sens.
Brian Grech
Nov 3rd 2012, 10:39
Yes Mr JJ Aguis,i wrote in English, but the matter is completely different. This is a Maltese newspaper written in English so I think comments are best written in that way.
YES English is our Second language but why shouldn't one go for what is First and unique in a ceremony celebrating Maltese talent?
TONY FORMOSA
Nov 3rd 2012, 07:22
Tony Formosa writes:
What an outstanding international advert for tiny Malta. Well done and thank you.
TONY FORMOSA
TONY FORMOSA
John Joseph Francis
Nov 3rd 2012, 07:17
Dear Joseph, bravo, but keep politics out. This ain't the first time. Just remember only about half or less just laugh.
leo briffa
Nov 3rd 2012, 06:50
this was a really good decision taken by the University of Malta to honour one of our best representatives.
thank you Mr Calleja
marvin vella
Nov 3rd 2012, 06:49
wer proud of you Joseph!
Wenzu Vella
Nov 3rd 2012, 06:16
I am an ailing old man who very dearly wish to see you and hear your magnificent voice in person so Please Please Joseph come to Australia. We are waiting do not keep us waiting any longer dear Joseph.
Ms.D. Galea
Nov 3rd 2012, 01:49
Thank you for making us all feel so proud of being Maltese.
Terry COURTNADGE
Nov 2nd 2012, 22:55
He certainly impressed on the night of the 8th September as guest tenor at the Last Night of the Proms in the Albert Hall in London. Nobody could have done it better. The 8th September was 'Malta day' in London.
Carmel Camilleri
Nov 2nd 2012, 21:19
All Gozitan Opera lovers are proud of you !!!
D M Grech
Nov 2nd 2012, 21:05
So proud - Prosit Joseph Calleja and prosit University of Malta
Anthony Mizzi
Nov 2nd 2012, 20:43
Made in Malta - Talent for Export : )
Our Gift to the World !
Joe Xuereb
Nov 2nd 2012, 20:29
Joseph Calleja sings for a living while spreading a special brand of spirituality. He does his craft honestly, hand on heart. Malta has seen a number of deeply spiritual people. Maybe some of our present-day leaders could take a page from Mr. Calleja's book. We owe him this recognition at least.
Thank you Calleja for your exquisite, heartfelt pianissimi. Bravo indeed!
Rocco Camilleri
Nov 2nd 2012, 20:14
Well done Joseph.You should be proud of yourself and made our Maltese nation proud of you too. You achieved a lot because you believed in yourself. May others follow suit in their careers.Augur you the best and keep your feet down to earth as you always did. Thanks also your family who took care of you and gave you your education. May God, and St.George Preca continue keeping their hands over you
Victor Pulis
Nov 2nd 2012, 19:49
Joseph calleja joins a long list of Maltese artists to make Malta proud. Art should be given more credit than it is getting right now. it has elevated Malta to the heights of much larger countries.Well done Mr. Calleja and thank you.
T Mifsud
Nov 2nd 2012, 19:46
Very very proud of you Joseph!
Antoine Attard
Nov 2nd 2012, 19:25
This small nation of ours has indeed produced great professionals in many fields. Congratulations Joseph. You are one of them. You are making us all proud.
Alfred Grech
Nov 2nd 2012, 19:25
You're still at the beginning Joseph - higher pedestal is waiting for you. You are Malta's pride.
Alan Attard
Nov 2nd 2012, 19:06
Our nation is GREAT because of you and your accomplishments. I never say our island is tiny, our nation is filled with greatness because of its people - look at Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, Ggantija and the Hypogeum and you know what I mean.
Keep up the good work Joseph, being Malta's Cultural Ambassador, we have no doubt you will stand up to any challenge to make our country proud.
m. borg (slm)
Nov 2nd 2012, 18:24
Can't think of anyone more deserving, he uplifts this tiny Nation's spirit when other dampen it with their imprudence.
Well done Joseph.
joseph green
Nov 2nd 2012, 18:18
Well done Joseph , and God bless you and your two lovely kids
George Cremona
Nov 2nd 2012, 18:17
For the record: Joseph Calleja's professional debut was made at the Astra Theatre in Gozo in 1997, singing the role of Macduff in Macbeth.
stephen mifsud
Nov 2nd 2012, 18:06
Joseph you are THe Ambassador of Malta and your are doing a fantastic job thank you for the gift you share with us and making us proud .
R Axisa
Nov 2nd 2012, 18:01
Congratulations and well done Joseph. You make us proud to be Maltese.
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 2nd 2012, 17:56
Well done Joseph for making our small Island look look grand in other countries eyes.
Joseph Brincat
Nov 2nd 2012, 17:36
Well done Joseph. Through your wonderful voice you keep the name of Malta in high esteem.
R. Balzan
Nov 2nd 2012, 17:33
Well done Joseph Calleja and thank you for making Malta proud!
Anne Marie Kissaun
Nov 3rd 2012, 11:18
Congratulations Joseph, well deserved honour. I am so proud of you and would like to wish you futher successes. I am hoping that one day I will manage to attend one of your performances overseas. May God be with you.
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