Malta Opera Launches With Spectacular Gala Concert

CASINO MALTESE, Malta - May 13, 2022 - PRLog -- "Opera has always held a special place in our hearts, and although it now competes with popular musical genres and entertainment, our love for it has certainly not dimmed. In our case, it gave birth to a dream – Malta Opera", said Nicola Said Soprano, Founder and Artistic Director of the newly launched collaborative opera initiative.

Malta Opera launched with a Gala Concert on Thursday May 5 2022 at the Casino Maltese, Valletta. The programme featured 15 established Maltese singers who were joined by emerging singers. Established performers: Francesca Aquilina, Albert Buttigieg, Louis Andrew Cassar, Graziella Debattista, Clare Ghigo, Joseph Lia, Nicola Said, Ken Scicluna, Cliff Zammit Stevens, Nadia Vella, Charles Vincenti and Gillian Zammit. Emerging singers: Michaela Agius, Mariette Borg, Mariah Costa, Maria Grazia Grech, Madeleine Gruppetta, Gabrielle Portelli and Nicole Vassallo. The pianist was Maria-Elena Farrugia. The compère was Joseph Chetcuti, while Albert George Storace prepared the programme notes. The concert covered a broad repertoire of music by well-loved international and Maltese composers.

Malta Opera is a professional opera collaborative bringing together Maltese singers, experienced and professional management, artistic production and internationally-renowned conductors with long-standing connections with Malta. Shortly before the launch, Malta Opera held a Masterclass at the Malta Society of Arts where eight local singers shone for three days under the coaching of international masters, Conductor Ben Woodward and Director Detlef Sölter.

As Nicola explained, "We believe that investing in the future of opera creates opportunities to singers who study and perform both locally and internationally. It also promotes its multidisciplinary aspect and develops a community of supporters."  Maltese have a deeply-rooted infatuation with opera. From superstars to internationally acclaimed singers, they highlight the best of Maltese talent. There is now a new cohort of Maltese talented opera singers following international professional careers, or studying at home and abroad. Unfortunately, there aren't enough local opportunities. This is the gap that Malta Opera can fill - a stage for Maltese communities to appreciate opera through local talent.

Present for the launch were the Hon. Dr Owen Bonnici, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and the Local Government, H.E. Dr Fabrizio Romano, Ambassador of the Italian Republic in Malta, representatives from the German and Spanish embassies, Mr Alfred Camilleri, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Finance and Employment and Ms Lydia Caruana, Soprano among others.

Malta Opera could not have come to life without the sponsorship and support of travel partners AirMalta, Arts Council Malta, the Janatha Stubbs Foundation, RISC Institute, Malta International Airport and APS Bank, the Malta Society of Arts, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Market Accents, Culture Ventures, advisors, Paul Nailor, volunteers and friends.

Details of future activities will be on www.maltaopera.com and social media. Malta Opera is available for cultural activities, events and commissioned productions.