"You need to feel the experiences in your own life to be able to express them on stage"
interview
R
Rachel Einarsson
He's got the physics and the voice that make him capable to do, what he likes the most.
He was born in Malta, but Copenhagen was the place to be, as he got spotted by Decca Classics.
There are a number of no's before you get a yes, is one of his professional experiences.
Now, he is on tour around the world letting his virtouso voice, which has been given a number of great nicknames, enter the best and finest opera houses.
Klassisk bureau has had the exclusive opportunity to bring an interview with the big star tenor Joseph Calleja.
In October this year he will be on stage in The Dallas Opera, USA, where the role as Cavaradossi from ”Tosca” is waiting for his appearance.
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“Go on, go on, go on”, Joseph Calleja says in the telephone with a fresh tempo presto, as I in a quiet and descreet manner let him know, that I am about to exceed the time frame of the interview.
His command appears in a friendly, energetic and at the same time effective impatience, and Joseph Calleja seems truly interestet in our conversation, I let my self assume.
Just like in the beginning of our conversation as the telephone connection got troubled but he insisted in continuing and completing the interview. Despite he must have been busy relaxing and saving his voice at the hotel room in Paris, where he was located at the time for the interview. That because he was performing at the Opéra Bastille in "Carmen" . An opera work well suited for Joseph Calleja with the heroic and charming role as Don José.
Joseph Calleja is one of the most acclaimed and sought-after tenors in our time. In the world. He himself as well as his voice are called a wide number of various, sweet nicknames. For example "the honeyed tone", "the golden voice from Malta", "an ingratiating style", "a sunny sound" and "one of the most exciting lyric tenors". When it comes to style he is regarded as a classical Italian operasinger. A statement he agrees on.
”That is correct. I think my voice is just like that. I've been speaking Italian from the age of three", he says and goes on explaining the close connection between his upbringing in Malta with Italy being a both geographically and cultural close neighbour.
”I also did the older stuff from the period before the Italian operas, but my voice is mostly romantic. Like in the style of Donizetti, who was going into romantics. People can relate more to that kind of music, and Italian operas are often used in films. It appeals to people in general and inspires people", is his assessement.
Then, there are the many comparisons with great names such as Pavarotti, Jussi Björling, Beniamino Gigli and Enrico Caruso. But how does it feel to be compared to somebody, I would like to know from him. Isn't it enough just saying "Joseph Calleja" since he has already reached a very high artistic level? However, he is calm and cool.
”I understand the journalists because of the point of reference", Joseph Calleja says with a calm and diplomatic spirit. "The comparisons are compliments for me and it makes me happy. The comparisons are good, but you also need to take them with a grain of salt”, he says with thoughtfulness. He repeats the formulation "a grain of salt" a few times.
”These people are legends, and I try to focus on what I am doing myself. I know, what I am doing and what I am worth", he explains and sounds like a singer with his feet on personal solid ground. "It is not healthy for a singer to compare to much with other singers. On the other hand, you can use their lives as a lesson, use their experience".
These are the words from a singer who in fact is about to become a legend himself. Or alreday is.
Please, feel free to read the full interview in the following link: https://klassiskbureau.com/joseph-calleja-the-dolphin-and-the-chimpanse
Rachel Einarsson, Klassisk bureau