The Story and Controversy Surrounding The Opera House Bomb Site in Valletta

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These pages are the archive of our previous campaign to restore theatre to the Opera House bomb site in Valletta (2008 - 2009). Theatre is now being restored and the current website is following developments in Malta's capital city - Main Current Website Here 'Previously' Cover Page The Basics About This Website About The Opera House Bomb Site Your Words News Media Updates Current Action Questions, Questions A New Valletta (from Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar) Links and Contacts The Small Print Listen to Lawrence Open Letter to Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister of Malta also ... The Prime Minister’s decision for a new Parliament house Joseph Muscat - Mosta, Malta "I appeal to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to change course and forget Parliament House, and instead build an Opera House that will be the pride of the Maltese nation". Facebook Group: No to House of Parliament instead of Opera House (Malta) The Proposal - Parliament to move to Opera House - PM calls for national pride in City Gate project (source: Din l-Art Ħelwa, National Trust of Malta)   © maltaoperhouse.com 2009 We welcome your input and ideas Website devised by Ian Waugh (link)

 

 

Joseph Calleja Talks To maltaoperahouse.com 

Maltese tenor, Joseph Calleja is one of the most sought after tenor voices with the leading opera houses in Europe.

Calleja was born in Attard, Malta, in 1978 and began singing at the tender age of 16.  Shortly after he was discovered by the Maltese tenor Paul Asciak, with whom he continues to study.

His voice has been described as the first voice in the new millennium to bridge the old school sound and timbre (something many feared lost long ago), to the 21st century operatic world.

Joseph Calleja was interviewed exclusively by Ian Waugh regarding the Prime Minister of Malta's decision to position parliament on the opera house bomb site in Valletta instead of theatre.

• What is your reaction to your Prime Minister’s pledge to do away with theatre on this site?

Utter shock. That site is full of history and waiting more than 60 years to have it rebuilt as a parliament is truly disgraceful. I have nothing against relocating parliament to a more suitable location but that is definitely not the right place.

• Why do you think this decision is detrimental?

The most obvious reason is that Malta is one of the few countries in the developed world that doesn't have an opera house. Investment in the arts in Malta is probably the lowest in Europe and beyond. General culture and love of the arts need nurturing if they are expected to flourish. This is hardly the way to promote them.

• Why is it so important to have a theatre on this site?

A multipurpose stage and auditorium able to host opera, musicals, ballet, theatre and even modern music unplugged events amongst other things would be truly for the people and would encompass a whole plethora of tastes.

• How rich is the history and story of theatre in Malta?

Malta was never Covent Garden and it never will be. However respectable opera seasons used to take place regularly and our Royal Opera House was graced by some of the biggest names at the time. We also have one of the oldest operatic traditions anywhere and Malta was one of the first places where new operas were performed outside of Italy.

• Why do feel that theatre should be reinstated on the bomb site?

The bombed site was an opera house and it still would be had it not been for the war. General culture and the love of classical music is greatly lacking in Malta and the reconstruction of the opera house can only give much needed new life in this sector. The authorities, seemingly on purpose, are totally ignoring the huge PR effect its rebuilding and subsequent reopening would generate at least on a European level. More importantly it would also help attract more people to our beautiful city. Its the arts that bring people to Valletta and not parliamentary sittings.

• How successful do you think a new theatre on this bomb site would be?

Government and private investment will be paramount for the viability but if one, multipurpose centre cannot be made to work then one has to ask whether the authorities are taking culture seriously in this country. Money invested in culture and the education of the people is never wasted money.

• How strongly do you feel about this issue?

Some people are suggesting that this project will indeed never happen and that the whole issue was raised to distract the people from the current and domestic economical problems. Even if this was the case I think it is still the duty of the Maltese who have culture at heart to make their voices heard, just in case.... This is an issue that goes beyond partisan politics of which we have perhaps, already too much in Malta.

• People unconnected to theatre in Malta are up arms about this pledge from the Prime Minister, why do you think this is?

I think people are vexed that their taxes will be used to rebuild a parliament on an opera house site which will be ultimately used by 65 people. There are many buildings in Valletta which could comfortably host parliament so why go and rebuild it on the opera house site? Conversely, unless some existent building is completely demolished and rebuilt, there is no other suitable space or venue for a proper opera house.

• How important is performing arts in Malta?

Considering our size and population there is a lot of talent here in Malta. Talent that would only flourish if given the space to do so.

• Why do you need another theatre in Valletta when the Prime Minister has publicly stated to the media that the capital city is already “saturated”?

Our Prime minister has obviously been ill advised. There is no theatre in Valletta that can be called an opera house. The Manoel, although extremely beautiful, is too small to host proper productions and mainstream operas. It is also very limited in way of backstage facilities, stage facilities and dressing rooms. St. James Cavalier is little more than a hall and the MCC is exactly what its name implies: Mediterranean Conference Centre, built and suitable for exactly that purpose.

• What do you think theatre in Malta offer visitors to the country?

It would offer what any reputable theatre in the world should offer: Entertainment, culture and education.

• Are there artists, performers and producers working or known outside Malta (external reputations)?

The great majority of Maltese names that are known abroad come from the musical scene. Both pop and classical. There are many however, equally talented, who never get the chance due to the lack of opportunity locally.

• Would this be regarded as a ‘National Theatre’ and to what extent would it draw in greater interest into Malta and towards Maltese culture and the arts?

Put simply the more investment there is in arts the greater the interest. A national opera house would be a huge step in that direction.

• What is your role and how long have you been involved in performing arts?

Not for one moment did I ever have the presumption that voicing my opinion would sway the government's decision. I simply didn't want 20 years to go by and to have to regret not voicing my opinion when I could have done so. Like many I am not against the relocation of parliament, I am just more in favour for a building truly for us Maltese, our fellow Europeans and whoever might be visiting our beautiful islands.

 

Find out more about Joseph Calleja here