A series of unfortunate events at the Opera

A composer based in Edinburgh is blogging with the psuedonym gedudu. He appears to be Maltese - he is certainly concerned by events on the island. He reports an incident that despite it's seriousness appears to have been carefully hushed up. A high profile Gounod opera that will be performed at the National Theatre in less than two weeks seems to have been overshadowed by a serious injury to the baritone as well as by the resignation of the director. The blog questions the safety measures at the theatre and enquires about who will take responsibility for the resignation of the director. From Chronic Chronicles of a Cronie:

16th & 18th of March as part of the BOV opera festival (which comprises of two operas, with 2 performances each...sad) there will be Joseph Calleja in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette. Without going into the various intrigues that have struck this opera (including Brian Schembri pulling out over rehearsal times!), we arrive straight away to the cherry on this lyric cake!

The opera is meant to involve a swordfight. Unfortunately, opera singers are not really trained for swordfights (they use much deadlier weapons, like vibrato, high notes and melodrama). During a rehearsal one of a swordfights, one blow missed its aim sending a baritone straight to hospital. He is now in the Intensive Care Unit with a sword blow through his nose.

The doctor who was called when the incident happened left in a fury, rightfully pissed off over the lack of safety and common sense. The unfortunate guy who struck the blow is now under shock and probably wont sing. To make matters worse, the director threatens to pull out. The result: a CONCERT performance of an opera!

It's time these things are made more public, for people should know how national assets are being managed (or rather mis-managed). Also, incidents like these seriously dent our reputation in the international sphere. We should be proud of who we are, and anyone who denies us the right to be Maltese should not be allowed to take any position of national importance.

Joseph Calleja to play Romeo; 6th edition of BOV Opera festival