Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1391768
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JULY 2021 5 OPERA Symphonic Middle East festival in Dubai Armenian master Alexander Spendiarian's "Oh, Rose". "It is a very difficult language, but one which I will use going for- ward, because in Maltese we have very similar sounds that allow me to give it justice", Calleja said. The concert then continued after a short intermission, with Smbatyan and the ASSO tak- ing to the stage once more to play the Overture to Verdi's "Nabucco", after which Calleja joined them to present his in- terpretation of Jules Massen- et's celebrated aria "Pourquoi me réveiller" from the Opera "Werther", Cilèa's famous "La dolcissima effigie" from "Adri- ana Lecouvreur, and "E lucevan le stelle" from Giacomo Puc- cini's "Tosca" to close off the evening, although the ceaseless applause of an excited audi- ence drew the tenor out once more to perform not one, but two special encores. Audience members were unanimous in their praise after the concert, with many lauding the orchestra, and declaring that Calleja's voice had brought tears to their eyes with its bril- liance, including the aforemen- tioned Camilleri Calleja, who said that "it was an amazing evening, it's so enchanting to listen to him! But I'm going to need to chide him a bit though, because he's already ruined my makeup!" Camilleri Calleja also spoke of the joy felt at seeing a Maltese national represent the coun- try on the international stage in such a manner, noting that "we haven't been to Malta in over a year, and when you see and hear such a Maltese talent, and see him representing our country as a cultural ambassa- dor, well… what more do you want…". Her comments were echoed by Chris Degabriele, a Maltese national living in Dubai who often travels to attend Calleja's concerts: "Absolutely enjoyed the programme. I'm really hap- py to have come here", he said. "Joseph is really one of Malta's best exports, and it's just great for Malta that we have him to represent us on the interna- tional stage, not just as a sing- er, but also as a person". Degabriele also commended the organisation of the event, calling it "a great experience and a very well organised con- cert", sentiments which were reiterated by the Head of the Dubai Opera, David Mansfield, who stated that "it has been wonderful to see the return of opera to Dubai. This has been a very wonderful event with an impressive international audience, and great talent on display for all of us. A truly ex- ceptional evening! I would like to thank EUFSC once again for bringing Joseph Calleja to Du- bai!" Calleja himself also compli- mented the organisation and execution of the evening, as well as the work of the EUFSC and cultural entrepreneurs like Konstantin Ishkhanov, who presides over the Foundation. "The organisation was very good", he said. "Obviously Cov- id restrictions put all organisa- tions at a big disadvantage, be- cause you have a fewer number of people who can attend, more controls, covid tests, etc, but they did a very good job, and the cultural world takes a step for the better thanks to people like Konstantin Ishkhanov, and in fact, we need more people like this who'll take the initia- tive and organise and sponsor these types of events. I don't yet know too much about the Foundation, but they work with all the best artists working today, many of whom I know personally, and it is an honour for me to know that they think of me when setting up these types of events". For his part, Ishkhanov was inexorable in his praise of the tenor's performance, declar- ing that "an evening like this is what we here at the EUFSC are constantly striving for. An amazing internationally-re- nowned talent joined by one of the top orchestras in the world at this wonderful venue. Joseph was just phenomenal tonight. We're so proud and pleased that he accepted our invita- tion to attend as the festival's Honorary Guest, and we look forward to working with him many more times in the future, for the benefit of the music world, as well as that of audi- ences worldwide who will get the chance to experience one of the greatest tenors of our time." Joseph Calleja's performance formed part of the Symphonic Middle East festival which took place between the 17th and 22nd of June 2021. For more information about the festival, please visit the official website here. H.E. Maria Camilleri Calleja (right) with Joseph Calleja Dubai Opera