John Consiglio writes:

With the demise of Lino Gatt, what some of us simply describe as “serious broadcasting” has lost an iconic figure.

For many and for a long number of years, Lino, and his now long-forgotten predecessor, Karm Izzo, were the epitome of love for opera on our national broadcasting station. I simply cannot see who will be filling this gap now with the same level of knowledge and expertise.

Lino’s profound knowledge of opera stemmed from the simple fact that he himself was an accomplished musician, a classical singer with a voice that delighted so many people at concerts, church functions and various commemorations.

The last time we met was at a funeral Mass at our parish of St Joseph the Worker, in Birkirkara, when he was accompanied by his friend, Elia Cassar.

He confided to me that he was at a point where his health suggested to him that his long sojourn with national broadcasting was close to its end. I urged him to stay for as long as he could.

His opera programmes on the national station showed he must have had his own rich personal collection of operatic records. No up and coming new ‘famous’ name on the opera scene would, overnight, pass Lino’s high standards for fame and universal acceptance.

Lino would even pronounce singers as being good for concerts but not for a full opera. He constantly sought quality and he shunned the mediocrity with which, far too often and not only in Malta, so-called ‘talent’ is pushed forward by the media.

Lino is no longer on our air waves and we shall all miss his calm and knowledgeable style of presentation, his wonderful character and, of course, the content of his always enjoyable, mostly late-night programmes. Even listening to him presenting such programmes would tell you much about the wonderful character and profound competence of this man.

All serious music lovers will miss him very much. We extend our condolences to all his relatives. May he rest in peace.

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