Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja has expressed his eagerness to meet the thousands of Maltese music lovers who are expected to fill up the Granaries in Floriana yet again this year for his annual summer concert on July 7.

Joseph Calleja will be joined on stage by Irish superstar Ronan Keating and Italian Gigi D'Alessio.

The concert will also include the participation of the HSBC Children's Choir.

Calleja's efforts in Malta have helped to make classical music more accessible to the public and this year's concert is also expected to attract thousands of music lovers eager to live the electrifying experience.

Culture Minister Mario de Marco said the concert was an event which enriches the cultural calendar promoted with tourists. Joseph Calleja's numerous achievements overseas and the high regard in which he was held within international classical music circles made him one of Malta's greatest ambassadors.

In fact, this year he was appointed the first Cultural Ambassador for Malta. The minister said that the stature of this talented, yet humble tenor is admired by many great and established names.

Fresh from a great season touring the most important opera theatres in the world, Joseph Calleja said:

"It's no secret that my Malta summer concert is the highlight of my season. It is an honour for me to perform at home, and, of course, the opportunity to spend some time in Malta catching up with family and friends is always welcome. This year's concert will once again offer a fantastic repertoire with a range of well-known arias and popular songs that will definitely draw in the audience," he said.

This year, NNG Promotions have contracted renowned maestro Steven Mercurio to direct the National Orchestra of Malta.

The concert is supported by HSBC, Vodafone and Allied Newspapers.

Pre-sale tickets for the concert will be available to all those who are registered on www.nngpromotions.com. Regular tickets, starting from €35, will be on sale from Monday at 9 a.m. through www.nngpromotions.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Freephone 800 74 117.

Allied Newspapers executive director Adrian Hillman said that the company's publications helped create awareness about local talent.

"It is an honour for Allied Newspapers to support Joseph Calleja in his endeavours to promote classical music beyond the opera circles," he said.