Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja last night met US President Barack Obama, who told him: "I've heard that Malta is beautiful and I would love to come there".

Mr Calleja spoke to Mr Obama and his wife Michelle after he gave a surprise performance at last night’s presentation of the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors in Washington.

The honours are the highest awards in the US given to living individuals who have made a significant contribution to American culture through the performing arts.

Mr Calleja, described by The New York Times as having “one of the loveliest voices in opera right now”, sang the aria Celeste Aida from Verdi’s Aida in tribute to preeminent American soprano Martina Arroyo, one of this year’s five honourees.

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