Joseph Calleja’s new album, The Maltese Tenor, shot straight to the top on the UK official classical chart last week.

The 33-year-old’s album is also Number 2 in the crossover chart and made an entry at Number 65 in the pop charts – currently topped by the late singer Amy Winehouse – which is rarity for an operatic album.

Reviewing The Maltese Tenor, The Times of London critic Hugh Canning described Mr Calleja as being at his “vocal peak... His Che gelida manina is surely the most glamorous and thrilling on disc since Pavarotti’s famous complete recording.” Mr Calleja is also taking part in a ‘Dining with the Stars’ charity event for the local YMCA, and the lucky winners who will meet him will be announced tomorrow.

The initiative is intended to raise money for Dar Niki Cassar, which has been accommodating substantially more homeless people than catered for, YMCA said at the launch of the initiative.

YMCA supporters may donate funds, through the SMS number 5061 8088 (€4.66), with the possibility of later being chosen todine with one of a list of Maltese personalities.

Every mobile company will select one number randomly at the end of every period.

Three winners will receive first-class VIP treatment and will be chauffeur-driven to a lavish dinner with the personality of the month.

Mr Calleja was recently a guest on the BBC’s main b reakfast programme, which features prominent personalities from the political world as well as showbusiness.

He was interviewed and gave a rendition of O Sole Mio on the couch in the BBC studios. See it online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/12698745 .