Preparations for the Joseph Calleja concert being organised by the Embassy of Malta in Paris are now well under way, as the tenor has already decided on the programme for the evening together with the symphonic orchestra of the Garde Republicaine.

The concert, titled Joseph Calleja: La grande voix de Malte, is being held under the high patronage of Claude Bartolone, the president of the Assemblée Nationale, who has Maltese roots from his maternal side.

The concert will open with a historical execution by the Maltese tenor and the orchestra of the Garde Republicaine of the La Marseillaise and the Innu Malti.

Calleja will be singing the Berlioz arrangement of the French national anthem, which is considered to be the most elaborate version of the Marseillaise.

Personalities from the political, cultural and economic spheres are expected to be present for the event, which is also attracting a significant amount of interest from the French media.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella, who will be in Paris on the invitation of French President François Hollande, are also expected to attend.

The concert will be followed by a Maltese reception to be held at the halls of General Charpentier, the Governor of Paris.

Joseph Calleja: La grande voix de Malte will be held on April 23 at the Hotel des Invalides in the heart of Paris, the very place which holds the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte.