Monday, 22nd June 2009 - 07:30CET
Piano: Open air theatre at Opera House site, Parliament in Freedom Square
Video production: Paul Spiteri Lucas
The old opera house site will be converted into an open-air theatre that will incorporate the bombed ruins according to plans by Italian architect Renzo Piano to be unveiled this week.
The plans envisage a 1,200-seat roofless theatre, built around the ruins and other remains stored elsewhere over the years. It will all be enhanced with state-of-the-art technology that will give the place the scenographic and acoustic properties expected from a contemporary theatre.
"We keep the soul of the opera house," he says in an interview published today ahead of the official unveiling of his plans on Saturday. "So we don't steal that noble function that is cultural... The only thing is that this is not going to be in a building with a roof... I think this is going to be one of the most magic places in the Mediterranean..."
The world-renown architect was the one to persuade the government not to construct a new Parliament building on the old opera house site.
"I think it would have been a big mistake not to have it (a theatre) there," he says, pointing out that, besides being a shame not to reserve the old theatre exclusively for culture, the site would have been too small for a new Parliament.
Instead, the new Parliament will be on Freedom Square. The first floor of the planned building will appear to "fly" over the ground floor, which will have an element of transparency, to reveal St James Cavalier and a garden being planned there.
"We don't want to make a monumental Parliament... this is not the spirit. It's about welcoming people; about having spaces that are not hermetic, inaccessible. We want people to get into Valletta and feel how open and transparent Parliament is, especially on the ground floor."
The details on City Gate are more sketchy but Mr Piano speaks of a garden in St James Ditch that will give access to the city through a new lift.
The bridge leading to City Gate will likely be reduced to the original size in order to give a better sense of entering a fortified city. In the ditch, Mr Piano is planning a garden, which he hopes will turn out to be a special attraction.
Speaking during an interview on Radio 101 yesterday, the Prime Minister said the City Gate finalised plans should be acceptable to everyone, although compromises had to be made. Even he had to compromise on certain aspects but he was "very happy" with at least 80 per cent of the final proposal.
"This is decision time. It is not the time for more discussions. We've been discussing this for at least 20 years. My aim is to ensure that what should have been done in these past 60 years will finally happen now and Valletta will be given the dignity it deserves," he said.
Excerpts of the interview can be seen above. Extensive parts of it will be uploaded in the evening. The full interview can be found in The Times.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090622/local/a-magic-city-in-a-magic-island
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Comments
Ghandu jerga jinbena it teatru linwaqa.
Marridux stone jungle city!
Xhin tidhol min bieb il belt arja u xi funtana trid mhux blokka gebel fuq kull naha!
Dan progett ghal poplu mhux ghal politici.
Enzo ghamel kif qallulu? Kif jista ikun Enzo ghamel ta mohhu!
what a shame Maltese people, I'm sorry to say your country still can't recognise what you are loosing. unless u act u will not get anything u want.
All hares dawk l-affarijiet jigu Malta. Kieku jigu rmied!! Mela ahna ghandna strutturi professjonali biex jiehdu jsiebhom!
Yes! But you forgot the orchestra.
I believe that there is some talent within our parliamentary group.
I know of at least one drummer and a fledgling piano player.
It's just a start, but we can always build on those two.
I wonder whether Renzo will volunteer to take up the baton!
Malta has already wasted money on previous plans in 1989 by the same Mr. Piano and in the nineties by Richard England.
Yes, I would have liked to hear the opinions of architects of the likes of Girolamo Cassar or Lorezno Gafa, about the suitability or otherwise of the Barry Opera House - as opinions here differ greatly on this score.- but this is only a dream..
But we have our own architects - who given the chance and believed in, would surely rise to the occassion . They may eventually enjoy the same fame of Girolamo Cassar and Lorenzo Gafa or Caruana Gailizia, once today's work proves the test of time.
This has come to light in various fields - perhaps more talked about the medical field.
Our main resource to date is HUMAN Resources.
When believed in, what a resource it turns out to be.
Talking about theatre/opera ...placed on stage as a supporting actor - .... if not the main actor or group of actors.
Let's take the plunge and go for it ................
.
I think we should all wait another couple of days to see what Renzo Piano has in mind, then comment since it is my understanding that the public will have one full month to do so.
I can anticipate a barrage from those whose sole aim is to oppose for the sake of opposing and not because they are informed, interested, competent or progressive.
Then we have the 'one interest groups' who must have their say also, but we live in a democracy and we must hear from all.
Judging from the reports and clips of Renzo Piano's interview, I surmise that he has approached the project with much care, enthusiasm and caution since he has gone through the same proposal some twenty years ago before an additional component (Parliament) was thrown in the new plans.
He seemed sincere and logical in his explanation of his approach to the project and I cannot imagine that this world renowned architect would deliver anything less than a world class product.
Does anyone from the articles that have been flying around knows how the brief was set. I will not dispute that something needs to be done, however, it is my most fervent hope that we will one day have a national opera house to the standards demanded. An open theatre although better than the car park means a dream shared by many may remain unfulfilled.
You are so right saying that Girolamo Cassar, Lorenzo Gafa and other prominent Maltese architects left so many edifices still talked about and admires for so many centuries.
But I wonder what the same famous architects would have opined about the suitability (architecturally) of the Barry Opera House within the confines of Valletta?
"Chi va PIANO, va sano ..... ma non sempre lontano" The operative words here are 'non sempre', so how about 'Chi va piano, va sano, ma non sempre lontano - se lontano, molto lontano'
This is similar to the adage, " Homo lungus, raro sapiens...sed sapiens, sapientissimus".
Both sayings are well suited here.
Take a look at all the comments even before the plans have been presented to the public.
All this ceremonial talk of a plan for Valletta entrance, Opera House, Parliament Building, narrowing bridge,Gardensat St. James, is nothing but WORDS and EUROS.
Months ago I commented and advised Mr. Piano to take it piano, piano. Andhe did, somuch so that he is saying that he will give us something flying in the air. Taking us back over a thousandyears beforethe knights started buildingValletta with his roofless theatre with acoustics properties, that I suppose would be better than that of the Scala di Milano. He is proposing that he would narrow the bridge without taking into account that more people are becoming obese. With filling the ditch with flowers (formerly he proposed taking the buses and commuters down there).
But the biggest insult is he wants to build the theatre “around the ruins and other remains stored elsewhere”. Where? All these years of neglect you can find some ruins at San Anton, at St James dump yard, but you can’t find the most beautiful relieves stolen and now enhancing who knows how many villas.
On another hand every conquerer took something, let us say for instance teh Brits, they have the a nice collection of cannons, armour and also regimental flags of the order 'taken' from Malta but never returned, because they are considered trophies of war as these were liberated during the bloakade from the captured french ships.
For instance most of the displays in the Louvre and British Museum are similar to this sword, garbed [bought] from another country but will these ever be returned?
And regarding the Sword of La Vallette .... at least we can exhebit it for a couple of weeks when this project will be inaugurated
Caro Primo Ministro e Caro Arcitetto Piano
A Malta la diciamo diversamente ...
Chi va PIANO, va sano ..... ma non sempre lontano.
Did Girolamo Cassar, Lorenzo Gafa and similiar Maltese architects ever envisage that their works would be visited and talked over so many centuries after. Just to mention St. John's Co Cathedral and the Mdina Cathedral - protected by so many and fought over by us Maltese as natural custodians. Aren't their works the pride and joy of millions around the world.
No doubt about Piano's international qualities. But I still feel that his intervention should not be a sine qua non requisite. I believe that Maltese input or part therof should not be discarded - how about a blend of both, a sort of joint effort ..
If the project where to go through, there will be no undoing ... other than covering it up eventually.
Sure enough where the cabrio construction to materialise, it will only be a question of time before which the same will be covered by some future generation.
In the latter's endeavour to ' finish off the incomplete work' -as so they think.
The EXISTING REMAINS will be conserved ,( took HIM a year to come out with such a BRIGHT idea ) with the addition of preserved MASONRY stored at Corradino all this DEEP THINKING to ENSHRINE the BOMBING by the NAZI W.W.2 ITALIAN ALLIES .
This has been an ARBITRARY APPOINTMENT , a few months after last year's Election ,on the discretion of Dr. GONZI and a few ( ? ). Meanwhile The MALTA CHAMBER of ARCHITECTS , has been CONSPICUOUS by its SILENCE.
If it was a doctor proposing a revolutionary surgery on a patient everyone would gape in awe. But have an Architect propose an intervention on a city site and suddenly everyone's an expert. Give it a rest people. Let the man produce his plans and let's get on with it.
There is nothing new in history. I'm quite sure that when the ancient Greeks built the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens there must have been ancient Greek citizens or the ancient Greek equivalent of an NGO who protested that it would spoil the skyline! Most great buildings in the world were born in public controversy.
Before any plans are implemented the government must make sure that what is being proposed respects the wishes of the Majority of the Public and not just to satisfy a small group of ‘experts’ or professuri tal Bigilla.
We had 'experts' back in the 60's dictating what’s best for our City Gate, the result is there to see!
Let us think positive, our way of course, and stop flying away... where to? Brussels perhaps? After all many a time our Parliament, as all EU Parliaments for that matter, have to spend most of their time legislating on Brussels-concocted legalese and do as they are told.
Mela jien ghidt hekk..."..Dik il-pjazza tista, minflok titkisser u tindfifen taht blokk bini u tintesa, din tista TISSEBBAH u ssir kif se ssir Pjazza San Gorg.." ALTRU milli tibqa car park, siebi, ..Mhux Hekk..!!
The present central public lending library in Floriana is in an out of the way location. I think that a public library in a central and easily accessible location, such as city gate is will boost use of library facilities and will have a spill over effect on all the other regional and branch public libraries. Public libraries are an essential service in all democratic societies.
An excellent national public lending library in this location, complementing the National Library in Pjazza Regina, would also certainly underline the importance the country is giving to the creation of knowledge based society.
I await to see the plans that will be unveiled shortly to see if this is finally and really the case - a modern public lending library in Valletta.
Why do we whant to build every open space in this country!?
.................the site is too small for Parliament, shouldn't be any problem, Malta does not need 65 elected members. Malta's parliament is too big for its own sake. 45 members and their personnel should be enough.
it is in everyone's interest to see such a project taking shape!!
Lately ,there was a Project for a Sky-Scraper commissioned to R. PIANO in TORINO. There was an outcry .against its construction as it TOTALLY CONTRASTED with the REST OF THE CITY - SCAPE .
I understand your comments but I think its impossible to find a similar place with the same value in the Capital city for residents and commercial outlets.
@ Ms Pauline Borg. Yes. other cities do have open-air venues, but IN ADDITION to proper theatres, not INSTEAD OF.
@ Gabriel A Pellegrini, Joe Cassar, Victor Laiviera -- Since you are so good at knowing what the Maltese want, why not enlist you to proclaim the government every 5 years, saving on all the democratic process involved?! P.S. Totally agree with Carmelo Dalli's two comments! Rebuilding war damage 50 years later says "You've tainted us so deeply we're still not over it!" And Barry's design was aweful btw.
@ Stephanie Falzon -- True. Indeed, while few students consider him a "favourite", he remains an architecture "god".
@ Joseph Saliba, Hector Mamo -- The only way we can GET that sword back from the Louvre is to enlist Arsène Lupin! It's the French who have to GIVE it to us :(
To note: From occupying the Royal Opera House site, parliament is now envisaged to occupy ONE floor out of two or three of a square which is currently both pointless and plain horrid-looking! Building on the idea of Andrew Camilleri, I think that Piano shows his unique vision in making such "compromise" be "better". The flying parliament, the library, exposing St James, the ditch, the streets,... shows how Piano stands head and shoulders above others with such considerations! It reminds me of miracle he pulled off with the NYT Building.
Have my reservations about the roofless part, though I like the philosophy behind it. Maybe an opening glass roof? In such a small space it could be aesthetically feasible unlike those for a stadium.
Piano is totally right about the ditch. I've visited countless fortified cities having walking paths with gardens on and under the walls, with tourists spending a day simply strolling, or enjoying the atmosphere between shopping and meals.
Just for the sake of clarity - Since you say that the opera house does not belong to Gonzi are you suggesting it belongs to you in representation of the Maltese people?
If the design you have in mind is as ridiculous as this silly knack of talking in the name of the Maltese people then God help us.
L.Galea I would be more willing to pay a tax so that this project can be completed. Yes thousands of Jobs can be created. Currently many workers from he construction industry are being made redundant and therefore a mega project such as this will save hundreds of jobs and create jobs.
This Project will also attract many more tourist and so they can spend more. Also the parliament must have a prominent position as it is a beacon of democracy.
Also in times of economic hardship the governemnt should spend more on captial projects lsuch as improving roads, the Infrastructure of our ports etc... This will attract investment.
Kulhadd ghandu dritt ghall-opinjoni tieghu imma nappellalkom tahsbu b'mohhkom u mhux b'qalbkom. Ghandi feeling li hafna minn dawk li qablu mal-progett ghamlu dan sempliciment ghax se jsir mill-PN jew ghax iddisinjah Renzo Piano. Ma ninsewx li xi 20 sena ilu, Piano kien ukoll fassal pjanti u disinji ghal bieb il-belt, thallas balal kbar ta liri minn flus il-poplu u l-progett kollu gie skartat.
Ghalkemm personalment ma naqbilx li l-opera house issir teatru open air, din l-inqas haga li dejjqitni, ikkomparata mal-pjan ta parlament flok Freedom square. Ma taghmilx sens li taghmel teatru li jista jintuza fis-sajf biss, l-iktar meta ghandna diga tant postiijiet open air li fis-sajf jintuzaw ghal attivitajiet kulturali. Il-problema qeghda fix-xitwa, meta t-teatru Manoel u l-MCC jkunu dejjem ibbukkjati minn xhur u gieli snin qabel, u trid taghmel weghda biex issib data available. Imma nsomma, jekk il-gvern happy li jonfoq il-flus biex dik li ilna tant insejjhulha "eye sore" tibqa kwazi kif ihi u fix-xitwa nibqghu bla ma jkollna teatru iehor fejn nistghu intellghu attivitajiet kulturali, affari tieghu.
My crazy ideas are exactly like yours !
:(
"... a mr nobody like me, say that he was a bad choice".
You are mistaken here... I am a taxpayer who will ultimately pay for the project. Therefore, I hold onto the right of expressing my opinion, please.
I am no architect and I have every respect for Renzo Piano. But with all due respect, why have the authorities resorted to a direct order? Is the preservation of the roofless ruins a reflection of the constraints on time and money? Does the magic consist of a “soul” without a head? We just covered a pre-historic temple, and we shall now have a temple of culture without a roof!
As to the restoration of old buildings, in other European cities such as Spain, they have even preserved the facades of old houses and buildings, allowing changes solely in the interior. Rebuilding the shell of the old opera house in its former grandeur is no fake.
How many opens spaces do we have left in our capital city? One cannot really compare our tiny city with foreign ones, but I would have expected a renowned architect to propose a better transformation of Freedom Square, while keeping it open. Are we going to have a parliament house on stilts, covering the currently open space?
I look forward to see the complete details of Piano’s proposals, and possibly be converted.
my credential are the following;
1) love for MALTA(not politically motivated);
2)practicity;
3) tax payer.
4)there are much urgent priority for our government such as road safety, help for the needy and support for enterprises in economic difficulties.
I will not go in further polemics with you.,
thanks
WELL SAID!
WHY DON'T ALL THE CRITICS CONTEST THE ELECTION AND SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS GOVERNMENT IS FAILING?
IF EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE THE SOLUTIONS!
fmalta ghanda 440,000 perit ... impressjonanti hux!
Let us start immediately with the project and if possible remove also those flats constructed by the Socialist Government of the 80's, in a way to have a capital city we all feel proud of.
Mr. Laiviera the only survey you should commission is to find out how many people listen to operatic music nowadays.
I cannot fathom how you persist in this tirade.
It would mean that Renzo Piano would have his idea of a roofless Theatre adapted but it would also be used in Winter.
@.. Hector Mamo.. Habib jiena m`ghidx biex ''Jikkomemora Jum Il-Helsien'', ghax dak isir il-Birgu, imma biex bil-pulit tigi eliminata kull tifkira ta dak il-jum fil-belt Valletta. Dik il-pjazza tista minflok titkisser u tindifen taht blokk bini u tintesa, din tista tissebbah u ssir kif se ssir pjazza San George. Mil-banda l-ohra, il-Parlament hemm ghxieren ohra ta postijiet fejn isir.. Nassigurak Sur Mamo, li jien nghatih valur immens lill Jum il-Helsien, ghax dak GHEXTU jien, u ghalekk ktibt dak li ktibt, ghax ma rridx li tifkiriethu gewwa l-belt Valletta titkisser, tintnesa u tindifen.. Forsi issa fhimtni ahjar siehbi...
@.. Domnic Zerafa.. Habib, jien sincerament nahseb, u hekk ghandu jkun, li meta titlesta Pjazza San George, din m`ghandiex tintuza ghal attivitajiet ta dik ix-xorta, u fejn jintuzaw ingenji ta certu toqol, ghax sena wara l-ohra, hsara kbira jista jsirilha u mhux gid. Specjalment meta wiehed iqis il-mini storici li hemm taht l-art. Ghalhekk nerga ntenni li jekk tispicca Pjazza Helsien jispicca l-qofol tal-Karnival Malti, mill-belt Valleta wkoll...
@ Galea L
well the way Renzo Piano described Valletta and his love and vision for it prooved that he is more of a gentlemen than most of us because he has pride, respect and dignity towards this city and his projects and home-grown - his genius rests in designing structures which are born out of their local social and cultural contexts and will thus ensure that Valletta will regain its dignity and elegance
But you seem to be able to judge Mr Piano more than international jury...I wonder how I never heard your name in international press...that is because just like and me and many people you are a nobody so let us leave professionals do their work...
Unfortunately, here in Malta, whenever we enter Valletta we are readily reminded of how our city was also destroyed during the war.
So quite often I ask myself: in respect of our city, can we do what the people of Dresden did for their city? More specifically, can City Gate and the site of the former Opera House be restored to their former glory?
As for a Parliament House, I would like to see a dignified structure infront of the Palace, this structure retaining the portico of the Main Guard and architecturally in conformity with the immediate surroundings.
I am sure that if Dr. Gonzi decides to build the Opera Hse as it was...you will change tune and be against.
How can you propose another tax when the people are not even making end meet? Thousands of jobs? Are you dreaming?
Stephanie Falzon
Winning whatever prizes does not mean that his creations are suitable for an old city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. I hope we won't have another monstrosity like the 1960's City Gate.
Marisa Bugeja
Who wouldn't when he will be getting a huge commission?
Mhux ser nidhol fil-mertu tal-helsien jew le ghax f'din il-kwistjoni l-politika aktar kemm tibqa barra ahjar.
Dwar il-Karnival !!!!! tridx thallina jew, mela minhabba erba karrijiet tal-karnival li sena wara l-ohra sejjer lura mhux minhabba l-gvern jew l-oppozzizjoni imma ghax naqsu d-dilletanti, skond int nibqaw b'dan l-imbrazz ta' bieb. Dawn tal-karnival irridu xi post minghand il-gvern fejn jahdmu xi ghajnuna finanzjara wkoll. Mhux hekk nibqaw mela kull minn jahdem fil-volontarjatt futbol, banda, ambjent, hockey etc ghandu dritt daqshom 20000 darba jekk mhux aktar.
Kieku gejt tghidli li l-ewwel nistennew ha naraw biex hiereg Piano ghax ghalkemm hawn hafna ghorief jghidu li dan l-aqwa perit fid-dinja, jien qabel ma nara l-progett mhux ser nitkellem.
L-ahhar darba ghamel paprata kbira dan il-bravu perit ghax l-istil modern ma jmurx ma belt antika. Jekk Piano kapaci johloq progett li jintegra tajjeb ma' l-istil tal-belt merhba bih, imma xi monstru modern ahjar jibqa kollox kif inhu. Nistennew u naraw imma mhux minhabba l-karnival ghax dan il-pajjiz karnival is-sena kollha minbarra fil-karnival.
Nistghu ninsew l-opera house antika xi dwejjaq ta poplu...ejja nkunu naqra moderni u nuzaw il-passat bhala pjattaforma ghal futur....sur laiviera mhemmx politika fin-nofs kull ma nghidlek hu biex tfarfar it-trab li ghandek min fuqhek u tghix fil-prezent u thares lejn il-futur mhux wehilt qabel il-gwerra...hbieb ejjew nkun kuntenti li ghandha perit ta fama mondjali li ha jaghmel dan il-progett - tkun tal-misthija jekk nibnu replika - kullhadd jghid li mhux vijabbli u dik allura tkun flus fil-hela...paroli mill-anqas u ejja ha jibda dal -progett halli fl-ahhar il-belt jkollha id-dinjita misthoqqa....
Kulhadd ghandu dritt ghall-opinjoni tieghu imma nappellalkom tahsbu b'mohhkom u mhux b'qalbkom. Ghandi feeling li hafna minn dawk li qablu mal-progett ghamlu dan sempliciment ghax se jsir mill-PN jew ghax iddisinjah Renzo Piano. Ma ninsewx li xi 20 sena ilu, Piano kien ukoll fassal pjanti u disinji ghal bieb il-belt, thallas balal kbar ta liri minn flus il-poplu u l-progett kollu gie skartat.
It is normal procedure when a government project is in train, and that's everywhere not just in Malta. Of course the government of the day can relocated residents and shopkeepers in such cases. No need for magic wands. It usually takes time and planning, and it can be done.
everyone is commenting about the open-air performing space as if Mr Piano is re-inventing the wheel - such spaces exist look at Verona,Taormina, Regent's Park - why is it always like this in Malta - abroad its good but here its not...i suggest you all to have a look at this site http://en.operaroma.it/luoghi/terme_di_caracalla and basically you will see that within ruins there is a truly magical performing space - i think Valletta offers such an amazing backdrop - let us all trust in Piano and he is the expert and definitely not us or at least let us wait till he reveals his plans....
@ Mr R Balzan and Mr R Agius – there have been numerous surveys over the years. All of them have consistently shown that the people want a reconstruction of the pre-war Opera House.
@ Mr Carmelo Dalli – Many historical buildings destroyed during the war (or otherwise) were restored. But that was done by people who cared for their history and heritage.
@ All those who think that my criticism is politically motivated – is that an admission that your approval is politically motivated?
Ghalkemm personalment ma naqbilx li l-opera house issir teatru open air, din l-inqas haga li dejjqitni, ikkomparata mal-pjan ta parlament flok Freedom square. Ma taghmilx sens li taghmel teatru li jista jintuza fis-sajf biss, l-iktar meta ghandna diga tant postiijiet open air li fis-sajf jintuzaw ghal attivitajiet kulturali. Il-problema qeghda fix-xitwa, meta t-teatru Manoel u l-MCC jkunu dejjem ibbukkjati minn xhur u gieli snin qabel, u trid taghmel weghda biex issib data available. Imma nsomma, jekk il-gvern happy li jonfoq il-flus biex dik li ilna tant insejjhulha "eye sore" tibqa kwazi kif ihi u fix-xitwa nibqghu bla ma jkollna teatru iehor fejn nistghu intellghu attivitajiet kulturali, affari tieghu.
Is-Sur Magri jippreferi li biex jikomemora il-Helsien billi ikun hemm Car park ! Daksekk taghtih valur il-Helsien.
Jien iktar nara li Piano irrispetta il-Helsien, ghax fil-pjazza li ggib l-isem li jfakkar il-Helsien qed jipproponi li jaghmel il-monument tad-demokrazija - il-Parlament !
Fejn pajjizna jipprattika l-Indipendenza tieghu.,,
Let the games and jollities begin.
@edward bartolo
For years Mr Piano seemed to be snapping up all the best commissions which include the Parco della Musica in Rome, the New York Times Building and the California Academy of Sciences and you, a mr nobody like me, say that he was a bad choice - this is something which I can't understand in us Maltese - he is a great architect and his designs and buildings are a testimony to this...His genius in designing structures which are born out of their local social and cultural contexts will ensure that Valletta will regain its dignity and elegance...let us at least recognise that he is a great architect and above all let us wait for his plans before shooting them down as you all are....grow up and mature
You're right when saying we've been waiting 60yrs - too long ! Now it's time to have these projects done.
When you referred to Mr. Piano as " Now comes an italian who proposes " you really made laugh but worried in the same time.
You know who Mr. Piano is ? - The world's finest architect, who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, who amongst beautiful projects he designed : Parco della Musica Auditorium in Rome, The Church of San Giovanni Rotondo , Kansai International Airport , The New York Times Building and a long list on magnificent projects. This Italian !!!
@P Bonello
We do have very clever architects indeed but I think even if you ask our local architects they are all very excted to have Renzo Piano grace our land with one of his works..my children's friends at University who are studying architecture are all over the moon to have a Piano building in Malta...I would also like to remind you that Mr Piano won the Pritzker Architecture prize in 1998 and this is to architecture what the Oscars are to filmaking so we have a globally renowned architect which through his name will definitely regenerate Valletta and Malta....I think we should be proud of having him here in Malta
And by any chance do you have a MAGIC wand and find adequate housing for the residents of city gate?????
Someone mentioned Padre Pio's basilica in Italy. Sorry, but I am not at all impressed by what it looks like on the inside. In my opinion, it is like staying in a large circus tent rather than a church! Moreover, the idea of an open theatre does not justify the expense, because, the Maltese taxpayer cannot build an opera house for every season.
My opinion remains, that the selection of Renzo Piano as an architect, was a bad choice from the very beginning. And the reason, is simply because Renzo Piano, tends to be a futuristic architect, with very unconventional ideas, that will invariably dissonate with what many Maltese want in their capital city.
@ lamanna
I would like to know what your credentials are to classify this project as useless - for youto say such things you definitely do not have Valletta and Malta close to heart so I would indeed classify your comment as useless and not the project - however i will answer your question - it is precisely such projects that are needed especially in times like these - you may recall that the Governor of the central bank stated that in Malta capital projects create a multiplier effect in the economy and such projects will definitely create and support employment therefore such projects can stimulate the economy through the capital injection - this is the right time for such investments
Pathetic....City gate to bear a subburb name come on!!!...but what a day The Great Piano falling in love with VALLETTA! Its Magical! the only magic that you think is another Don Quechot fighting the mills once again!
We are both "tfal mil-Belt" but I strongly disagree to remove the Manwel Dimech monument whom was also a "tifel mill-Belt" and worked a lot for the Maltese. I also believe that La Vallette does not need a monument since he has the whole city as a monument and bears his name. As a Maltese and more as a local city lad I am very excited to see the new Piano plans. I will not comment before since nobody can criticise or agree beforehand. Alas I am satisfied that after years of neglect throughout all decades and not just the seventies we will remove the sixties fascist style gate that we have today. On a day like this we city folk can just repeat one of our mottos "Kburi li mil-Belt"
The government those not finance anything we finance all the capital projects in Malta. if the government has no money to spare for this project than he should introduce a tax on some product like alcohol. (like they are doing in GB to finance the 2012 olympics)
@ Mike Magri
Sur Magri kemm jidher fuq hiex qed titkellem - il-karnival jista jobqa jsir imma jsir b'mod differenti kif kien isir fl-antik...ir-rotta kienet hekk
jitla minn quddiem Kastilja
Jinzel minn hdejn it teatru
jghaddi minn triq ir-repubblika
isir spettaklu fi pjazza san gorg (din tista tibqa tintuza hekk kif gejja)
jghaddi minn trig l-arcisqof
jitla minn strada merkanti
u jerga johrog minn pjazza kastilja
kollox jista jsir iggiefiri todqhodx tbzza n-nies u tigiex tghidli li biex thalli isem l-helsien tippreferi din il-kruha minn xa haga ta piano...
So after all this I am looking foward who is going to take this massive project to construct and by when!!!!!!! This time with penalties if deadline is not reached ... at least we have a time frame as if this going to take ages will all start grumbling at the situation our Gate is going to look like, just remember the pavement!
On a positive thaught I am looking foward for having back the Armoury were it belongs ... the collection is a jewel more then Berry's architecture, as this is supposed to happen if Parliament is moved!
Imma dawn li qed issemmi inti inbnew ezatt wara mhux 50 sena wara.
L-Acropolis fil-Grecja, l-Arena ta' Verona, il-coloseo f'Ruma - hadd ma bena replika taghhom. Trid tkun mignun u m'ghandek l-ebda rispett lejn l-istorja.
The various contrasts within such a small area would make Valletta an incredible experience and one of great enhancement for both local and tourists. Such as the extremes of walking through a pleasant and accessible moat and the airiness and openness of the Barracca gardens with their magnificent views just a few meters away from each other.
My questions are... where are all those cars parked in the old moat go? And isn’t it possible to have some kind of tent over the open air Theater so as not to spoil performances just because of drizzle that can happen sometimes also in the peak of Summer?
One can appreciate your point. But I think that Dr Gonzi is right when he says that "compromise" is the best approach. He has clearly compromised in regard to the site itself which, I think, is the most important. Parliament House on Freedom square, in my view, is the best option. The remaining stumbling block are the shops+apartments on the other side of the gate. They should be removed and make way for new Law Courts in juxtaposition with Parliament. It would be the symmetry that would truly restore the historical pride of Valletta. Of course, funding and procurement of expertise will remain challenging constraints.
All those who know about such pieces being in private homes and in the paceville restaurant are duty bound to inform the authorities so that they will be retrieved. They are public not private property.
1) how much does it cost this Piano's pride;
2) due to the present economical crisis how do you expect our government financing this
useless project?
thank you for your attention
For your information, Dresden has been rebuilt to its pre-war splendour : two edifices that have been meticulously restored are the Semper Theatre and the recently inaugurated Frauenkirche. The Bundestag in Berlin has also been restored, albeit with a majestic dome by Norman Foster. Germany has now decided that the Imperial Palace that was replaced by the GDR's Palace of the Republic, will be reconstructed to its pre-war splendour with three baroque facades. ( http://www.stadtschloss-berlin.de/englisch.html )
However, Mr Piano's plans seem quite interesting. I, for one, am open to them and agree with Mr Paris that it had to be this man of vision to convince our government from committing an act of cultural philistinism similar to that of the GDR and complete the hatchet job started by the Luftwaffe and continued by Mintoff's decision to dismantle the remains.
Talking of which, if Mr Chris Calleja knows about other remains of the theatre, he should hand the information to the police as they can never have become private property. It's good to see that Piano wants to make use of these ruins just as was done in the Frauenkirche.
As for arrogance.. perhaps the arrogant are those who are already criticising a project before even having seen the plans themselves. Unless of course the comments are politically motivated...
And behold - Piano tells him "OK, naghmluh bla saqaf mela!!"
And they lived happily ever after!! :))
" Min qatt fid-dinja ghamel replika ta' xi haga li giet distrutta"?
let's start La Scala (rebuilt after severe bombing damage in WWII)
Le Fenice in venice (rebuilt after fire in 1996)
Dresden Frauenkirche (Cathedral) rebuilt after being destoryed by WWII bombing
Most of central Warsaw after World War II .....
There are more examples if you want !
Any idea of what maintenance costs will be involved with a theatre open to the elements?
Will the theatre furniture etc be removed in winter...to again expose a skeleton of a building this time by the hand of Mr. Piano and not Mr. Hitler?
Ok all the equipment will be state of the art and what have you. We are trying to revive Valletta with all the hustle and bustle of some kind of night life. If there is a performance at this theatre...will the noise originating from outside the theatre cause any interference? Alternatively....will the noise coming from the theatre interefere with the night life we want to create?
If I am not mistaken we had already experimented with this idea some time ago. Remember the blue chairs and the scaffolding and all?
If we are to have a theatre on this spot...better a whole one than half.
So.. A Parlament in Freedom Square..Ehhh...!!!
Haa Haa... Meaning (1) A '' nicey nicey '' political move to end and completely eliminate the rememberance of Freedom Day from Valletta City, and (2) To disturb and maybe counting the days of the end of the Carnival Festivities which so far have been taken place there, and then EVEN Carnival itself...!!!
Do not trouble yourselves too much over the city gate and the opera house plans. Lets try to keep things in perspective, see the plans and then comment. However we all knew, even gov, that this architect has very modern ideas. If the plans are not accepted, then its all money down the drain, AGAIN.
More importantly what we should not do, however, is to fall for Dr. Gonzi's trap over and over again. The city gate issue has been repeatedly sprung on us whenever gov. wanted to alienate people from the real issues.
Inti qed tissugerixxi li naghmlu kopja falza tal-Opera House ta' Berry !!?? Min qatt fid-dinja ghamel replika ta' xi haga li giet distrutta. Fejn hi l-originalita !
Ma rrid b'ebda mod imaqdar it-teatru ta' Berry, imma min ghandu naqra sens f'mohhu l-anqas it-teatru ta' Berry ma kien jaqbel l-istil tal-belt - fejn fil-belt tara bini ta' zmien il-kavallieri mdawwar bil-kolonni. Dak kien jaqbel mal-istil tas-seklu 19 . Allura ghalfejn ghandna naghmlu replica tieghu fis-seklu 21.
Ghandna xorti li Renzo Piano accetta dawn il-progetti ambizjuzi. Iva possibli anke fil-progetti tal-belt ma tafux taghmlu distinzjoni bejn dak li hu politiku partiggjan u dak li mhux. U ejja !!!
Can you please inform us how you conclude that the VAST MAJORITY are in favour of restoring the Old Opera House. I take it you conducted a survey to come to this conclusion?
You can smell a political angle coming from Mr Laiviera from a mile away. The rhetorical "who is so arrogant...?".
We have a unique opportunity to do something even more special for Valletta - let's not screw it up by ignorant criticism.
I just fail to understand why some people are still in favour of the old opera house - as Renzo Piano said it will be the biggest sacrilege towards history - his suggestion of reminding us of the past but more importantly of embracing the future and technology with these ruins which will put the theatre to be utilised as best it can be - the summer venue is a very good option as there isnt such a venue in Valletta and it will naturally complement the winter venues such as Manoel Theatre and MCC...once again Piano is showing us all that he really knows what he is doing...
How does this compare with what has happened to the Opera House in Bari .....We have had the ruins for too long now, we don.t need Piano to constantly remind us of our loses......The open air theatre will have a limited time of use, during summer, when the people are away on holiday or at their summer residence.......So why spend millions of Euros for use during Summer only. At best we leave the Opera House in the present state to remind us of the horrors of war... Meditate Gente......Meditate
The Maltese people have repeatedly expressed themselves, in their vast majority, for a restoration of the Opera House to its old pre-war glory.
Who is so arrogant as to reject that in favour of his own ideas?
Considerando, Renzo Piano's cv and all the big projects he was involved into I have my mind at rest.
The governement should start these projects immediately and not wait another 60 years.
Even when Laparelli designed the city of Valletta in the 16th century it is said that their were different ideas.
Ahna li l-Belt ghalina tbaqbaq go demmna huwa unur li jkollna dawn il-progetti ta' Renzo Piano. Tisimghu jitkellem lil Renzo Piano tahsbu BELTI !! Daqs belti jitkellem bil-qalb.
Qalilna li l-Belt ser tkun "magical" !!!
Narak bil-qasba fuq il-pont tistghad ghal xi huta...u hallik mid-ditch ha naghmlu l-pajzza u c-city gate l-ewwel...kif qal il-perit dan magic ha jkun
Get a Life!
The fact that there's been a u-turn here is the good news. So we get to keep "the soul of the opera house" and we “don't steal that noble function that is cultural”.
Its a victory for those who believe in the vision of Maltese theatre and performing arts.
The not so good news is the fact that, according to this report, the Prime Minister was not persuaded to u-turn by the thousands of good Maltese who were opposed to his vision but by the “world-renowned architect”.
I refer to the thousands who joined the Facebook 'group' and the visitors to www.maltaoperahouse.com who were against parliament at the entrance to Valletta.
Maltese theatre will be restored to this site and that at least is good news.
Bhala bniedem mill-Belt u li nhobb il Belt nahseb wasal iz-zmien li nehhu l-istwa ta' Manwel Dimech minn quddiem Kastilja u naghmlu pjazza pedestrian ghall kullhadd u nkomplu ntejbu l-esperjenza tat-turisti gewwa Malta
I hope my reply, too, is not taken as political ... but you have to go look at the Valletta ditch to to realise what a massive undertaking it would be to excavate it low enough to allow the sea in. The cost must be frightful. At some point one has to ask: would the benefits justify taking so much money out of taxpayers' pockets? I very much doubt it.
Kont qed nahseb bhala Belti u kburi li jien Belti li naghtu gieh lil kbir Jean de la Vallette li bl-ghajnuna t'Alla bena dal-gojjel ghalhekk nemmen li misna naghmlu monument li naghtu gieh lil dal-missier il-Belt taghna u jkun ferm isbah jekk nidfnu lil dal-Kavallier patrijot taht dan il-monument....ejjew Maltin inkunu kburin b'din il-Belt taghna
Let's at least accept that the bridge is built on Floriana's territory. After all, there wouldn't be a gate if the bridge was part of Valletta... let's not make the same error that we did with the Waterfront. That's another part of Floriana which has been erroneously attributed to Valletta.
Instead, one single architect was commissioned. Why?
I only wish that the project is completed in its stipulated time period.
Nemmen li fil-bini l-gdid li ha jinbena ghal-pubbliku ghanda tkun ezibita x-xabla ta' La Valletta u terga tingieb lura Malta minn Parigi...x'tahsbu nies mhux ta' min tkun ghanda l-Maltin?
Then again, if there is an area of policital cross party agreement, it would be to increase the number of parlamentarians (at the taxpayer's expanse of course) rather than doing the sensible thing and gradually decreasing them over the next few legislatures............
Whatmore the ideas he is talking about will add a touch a class to the city.
Well Done Mr Piano.. so far so very good!
Don't be concerned with idle comments from people who have little else to do than critise great ideas.
I am pretty sure that if you wait till Saturday Renzo Piano will unveil his plans, ideas and give the explanations of his vision which will make all this bickering pretty useless - it is impressive how we Maltese always shoot everything and everyone down even people with such global fame and has more pride in our city than you all have put together - for once remove your blinkers
ma nistax nifhem ghaliex din l-oppozizzjoni li jkollna parlament gdid. Uzajt il-kelma jkollna bi skop. Il-Parlament ma jfissirx il-politici u l-MPs, il-parlament huwa s-simbolu tad-demokrazzija. JIen ma narax li l-parlament hu xi haga tal-politici imma ta dawk illi jirraprezentaw.
Il-Parlament illum qed jiehu post l-armerija fil-palazz. Bil-bini ta' parlament gdid ikun ifisser li nergghu naraw l-armerija flok mohbija tmur lura ghal post originali taghha.
Niftakar li meta thabbar il-progett kien hawn storbju shieh ghax il-parlament kien gej flok it-teatru. Issa l-pjan inbidel u xorta hawn min qed igerger. U ejja come on issa zzejjed.
u lil dak li qabbel it-teatru mal-luxol - nistiednu japplika biex ikun wiehed mill-konsulenti ta' renzo piano ghax veru laqat il-musmar fuq rasu.
Prim Ministru, fuq din jien mieghek...ilna 60 sena niddiskutu ejja ha narawh lest !
decide, through a referendum.
it is such a marvellous idea to use the ruins and give them life - this is what has been done all over Europe - the Colosseum in Rome, the temples in Agrigento and the Roman ruins in Arles - this will truly become the soul of Valletta and complement winter venues such as the MCC and Manoel Theatre whilst like this we will have a state-of-the-art performing space in summer....
Please, please wait and see the full facts before commenting!
It is only fair, to be reminded we might not all agree to these plans and as already commented by someone below we cannot all be architects, .......
But ask yourself a question before shooting the plans down......
Do we want to wait a few more decades before something is done?
If only we Maltese have as much pride in our capital city as Renzo Piano has...I believe that this architect-artist is going to present a masterpiece for Valletta which wil lrestore its dignity as a UNESCO world heritage site...he has been building museums and buildings all over the world to the acclaim of critics and people alike...let us trust in his vision, experience and credentials
I like the idea of keeping the ruins and use them. Acropolis , the Arena of Verona, the Coloeso in Rome, Bagni the Carcallo - none of these sites were built again as a "replica" of the original. So I totally agree with Renzo Piano that we shouldn't do a fake Opera Hse.
As regards to the entrace I was impressed with Renzo Piano's comment about giving dignity to our capital. I wonder if any of us here ever spoke about Valletta with dignity !!!
Why is it going to be roofless which will limit its use due to weather unpredictability?
What about nearby residents who will have to suffer amplified music etc?
"The details on City Gate are more sketchy but Mr Piano speaks of a garden in St James Ditch that will give access to the city through a new lift."
Are we going to have a hidden lift or is it going to be another modern blasphemy on the outside of the City's old fortifications?
Isn't Parliament going to increase the parking problems since Freedom Square will no longer be available for parking?
"...We want people to get into Valletta and feel how open and transparent Parliament is, especially on the ground floor."
How about having a transparent Government?
"The first floor of the planned building will appear to "fly" over the ground floor,..."
How many floors is it going to have?
The idea of having a theatre without a roof is simply impractical - just imagine its use in Winter!
I was right saying that fame is not a guarantee of a good product.
Although it may sound political, why don’t we also take a look also at Alfred Sant’s idea to excavate the Marsamxett ditch to sea water level and connect it to the other part of Valletta. It will be a marvellous.
I wonder if Renzo Piano ever heard of this idea. Would be very good to take his view about this.
Mr. Piano is either joking or literally following instructions to the word.
According to Dr. Gonzi ""This is decision time. It is not the time for more discussions." So much for what people think about this preposterous proposal.
As for the theatre ruins being turned into an open air theatre, is Mr. Piano expected to be paid for such a ludicrous idea.
We however all agree that Parliament must "have an element of transparency". In fact so transparent that it should be re-located to an area where it's least visible.
I cannot wait to see the plans of the entrance, the theatre and parliament - described by piano - as giving the deserved dignity to our capital.
That's what Valletta needs, a dignified entrance to give the much awaited value added.
Is this what the Maltese people want?
Doesn't democracy - meaning the wishes of the (vast, in this case) majority mean anything any more?