Federica Falzon, the 11-year-old singer who won the Italian junior singing contest Ti Lascio una Canzone on Rai, told the Prime Minister she would like to make a career out of her singing.
During a courtesy visit to Castille yesterday, the young mezzo-soprano from Safi told Joseph Muscat about how excited she had been on Saturday when the results of the competition were being read out on.
“I was trembling a bit at that point, I did not really expect to win,” she said.
She has wowed audiences in Italy and in Malta because she looks like the little girl next door, but when she opens her mouth to sing, the mesmerising voice of a 30-year-old soprano comes out.
In recognition of her achievement, Dr Muscat gave her a silver necklace with a musical note pendant. He also congratulated her for being chosen to represent Malta in this year’s Junior Eurovision which will be held here.
“But if you plan on winning it, let me know so that we prepare the budget – I’ll have to face [Finance Minister] Edward Scicluna with that,” he quipped.
“So don’t worry, if you place second, we won’t be upset,” he joked.
In an obvious reference to the Labour Party MEP electoral campaign slogan, Dr Muscat encouraged her to keep up her “positive energy”.
Federica was flanked by her parents, Iris and David Falzon, who work at Mepa and Wasteserv respectively, as well as her voice coach Gillian Attard.
I was trembling a bit at that point, I did not really expect to win
Her mother confirmed that last Saturday, Federica had been approached by an American agency which recruits child singers.
“We’ll see where it goes from here,” she said, adding that Federica’s wish was to make a career out of singing.
“It’s not just a hobby for her... We just support her to get wherever she wants to get,” her father said.
Federica, who is clearly not camera shy, talked about the backstage on the Rai programme: “The fact that I don’t know Italian made it a bit difficult for me to have a proper conversation but I am getting better now.”
Her parents explained how their lives had changed overnight. “We’re constantly going up and down to Italy, we barely have time to do anything,” Ms Falzon said.
Rai covers the costs for Federica and her mother and her father’s flights are sponsored. They also have to sort out arrangements for Federica’s younger brother, Ferdinand.
“We cannot take him up with us because he is still four and too young to be allowed into the Rai studios.”
Because of her travelling, Federica has also been missing out on school days. “But my teacher Mr Bonnici is really helpful and ensures I can catch up.”
Federica will be leaving the island on Thursday to prepare for Saturday’s competition, when she will pair up with her singing partner, 14-year-old Italian tenor Vincenzo Carni, to compete against the winners of past editions of the programme.
Initially, her parents took her to Ms Attard to train her to sing country music.
“She had been to three other teachers before and no one noticed her talent.
“When Gillian heard her she told us her voice was a rare find.”
Ms Falzon said her daughter was regularly monitored by audiological physician Alec Lapira so her vocal chords were not strained at all.
“There is a chance her voice will change as she reaches puberty. But we hope it will be for the best.”
During the series of programmes, Federica and Vincenzo won five out of the eight shows and placed second in the other three.