News

September 11, 2012

Joseph to Celebrate U.S. Release of “Be My Love: A Tribute To Mario Lanza” with Concert at City Winery in Collaboration with the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival on October 11

CIty Wintery Logo

On the heels of his success at London’s legendary Last Night of the BBC Proms this past weekend—which was broadcast live on television, radio, online, and in cinemas across the U.K.—Joseph Calleja, “arguably today’s finest lyric tenor” (NPR), returns to the Big Apple on Thursday, October 11 to perform selections from his new Decca Classics recording, Be My Love: A Tribute to Mario Lanza, in a concert with orchestra at City Winery in downtown Manhattan. The event, which marks the Maltese tenor’s only New York appearance during the 2012-13 season, is being presented in collaboration with the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival and comes two days after the U.S. release of the new recording (Tuesday, October 9). Steven Mercurio, who leads the BBC Concert Orchestra on the album, will also conduct the New York performance. Tickets for the 8 PM concert range from $25 to $45 and will be available for purchase through the City Winery’s website beginning this Thursday, September 13.

 

Joseph's Blog

May 19th, 2013

Eurovision and cross voting

Despite having a brilliant song that was delivered impeccably Malta didn’t win the Eurovision song contest. No doubt there will be many who will cry foul, bring up the unfair issue of neighbourly  cross voting and insist on having Malta withdraw from future contests.

Whether it is in the office or on stage “cross voting” is just yet a common and normal factor that has to catered for and dealt with in the long road of realising ones goal, whatever that might be. Fierce competition is rampant everywhere in todays society and the road to success will be constantly besieged by factions, jealousy, envy, loyalties, nepotism or downright corruption. Multiple spokes in the wheels are not only the norm but they are to be expected and dealt with. Indeed I view these acts of cheekiness as adding to ones achievment and a sad reminder that human nature can sometimes be petty and small minded.

So to all of those who think that Malta should stop competing in the Eurovision I say that some form of “tomfoolery” will always be present and cannot really be avoided and it is the marking of true, real talent to triumph despite and against the odds!

What we really need to do in Malta is to see the Eurovision for what it is; great, silly fun and just another way to remind our European neighbours what a great destination and fun Malta is.

Life ain’t perfect and it certainly isn’t fair but fate is inexorable and the day will come when someone from these shores will lift the trophy… in the meantime a big BRAVO to Gianluca and all the Maltese team who went there to have fun and fun they had!