Noise, traffic and pollution may have justifiably bothered Bisazza Street residents but it seems these nuisances have reduced their tolerance threshold to the point that even the banging of piano keys has been a source of complaint for some…

And while the sound from the Play Me I’m Yours activity may have been deafening, their whinge has not fallen on deaf ears, leading to the immediate silencing of the instrument by organisers, who have no intention of annoying anyone.

GM International Conferences and Exhibitions Ltd felt it was a pity the initiative, which has seen street pianos being played by anyone in a variety of localities, did not strike a chord in the heart of busy Sliema, clearly accustomed to a cacophony of sounds.

On Monday, a mere five days after it was left in Bisazza Street, the company’s Dr Jean-Pierre Gauci-Maistre covered up the piano that was painted by artist Luciano Micallef, sticking the note: “Due to complaints by residents, this piano has been locked. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.” He was surprised some residents had not taken too kindly to the playing of a piano in their vicinity, judging from the positive feedback received from other locations.

Dr Gauci-Maistre was informed by the Malta Tourism Authority, which is supporting the initiative, of some complaints, and proceeded to put the instrument under lock and key.

The pianos are not opened before 8 a.m. and are closed by, latest, 11 p.m., said the man who oversees the 15 instruments in the various localities and takes care of the Sliema ones himself.

The others have been welcomed and used more than he even imagined. Moreover, residents have bothered to take care of the one at Qui-Si-Sana, which someone covered up when it last rained.

Dr Gauci-Maistre is today awaiting a response from a surprised Sliema local council on an alternative location, and so far, the promenade by the White Shadows monument has been earmarked.

The initiative goes on until October 9 and Dr Gauci-Maistre is optimistic the piano will find a home if no appropriate site is found in Sliema – another three localities have contacted him and he is willing to foot the expenses to cart it elsewhere.