An NGO has thrown cold water on a plan to install a retractable roof to reduce the noise from Valletta’s open theatre, saying this was the latest in a long list of promises made by the government and the theatre authorities over the last four years.

Instead, the Noise Abatement Society (NASoM) is insisting that ditching rock music and similar genres of music from this venue would drastically reduce residents’ complaints about noise disturbances.

At the same time, the NGO is questioning why MPs are being treated differently from Valletta residents, in view of the fact that no performances whatsoever are allowed when Parliament is in session.

NASoM chairman John Fenech spoke to Times of Malta after it sought his views on the recent announcement by Culture Minister Owen Bonnici that discussions were under way on the possibility of installing a retractable roof over the Royal Opera House open theatre.

The idea is being considered as one of the possible solutions to mitigate the inconveniences suffered by nearby residents whenever there is a live performance, but also during rehearsals.

Mr Fenech noted that the NGO has been in talks with the authorities since 2014, in a bid to find some sort of compromise.

“This is not a one-off issue, but a recurring one over a six-month stretch from May to October, in which time there is at least one rehearsal or performance per week,” he said.

The society has backed its complaints by means of scientific noise surveys carried out at specific locations around the venue. From these investigations it emerged that there were instances when the noise generated at this venue exceeded the World Health Organisation community noise level limits, especially between 7pm and midnight.

“Talks with Pjazza Teatru Rjal which runs the venue as well as the government have been going on for the last four years, but to date the viable solutions which we have proposed have not been implemented,” he told this newspaper. As for the proposal to install a roof, the NGO expressed scepticism. “We are all for an enclosed theatre, but is this what the authorities really want? Installing such a structure, be it retractable or permanent, would defeat the entire purpose of having an open-air theatre,” Mr Fenech remarked.

“Hence, we believe that this is another promise with a shelf life that expires before it is put on the table for discussion,” he said.

Asked for its proposals, the society said that it would be willing to accept a compromise whereby rock music, which it says is the major source of disturbances, would not be played, in favour of classical music or other genres, provided that its sound level should not be more than 15 dB(A) above the prevailing background level.

He also noted that a recently commissioned acoustic system had the capability to enhance the intelligibility of sound, equally, to every seat in the theatre.

“Residents do not wish for the theatre to run out of business, they only want the right to the quiet enjoyment of their property,” Mr Fenech said. In this respect, he pointed out that MPs were seemingly getting preferential treatment as whenever Parliament was in session no use of the venue is allowed.

“On such occasions, performances are vetoed, because the noise level is out of control. Therefore, why are the residents treated differently than the MPs?” he asked.

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