Monday, 1st March 2010 - 08:04CET
Partial roof features in new City Gate theatre plans
The original proposal did not feature any roof.
A 25-metre wide lightweight roof features in the latest plans for the open air theatre proposed by Italian architect Renzo Piano for the Opera House site.
The plans, which have been submitted to the planning authority, are not conclusive but the idea is to shelter performers and any technical equipment from light showers by means of a light structure, possibly covered in a waterproof fabric. The partial movable roof will also allow lighting and sound equipment to hang from it and serve to reflect sound.
The addition comes as many in the art scene complain that Mr Piano's proposal for an open air venue is impractical and will not suit the needs of local theatre.
The proposals, made by the world-renowned architect last June, involve the redevelopment of City Gate, a new Parliament building at Freedom Square and the redevelopment of the opera house site into an open space that will incorporate the bombed ruins to produce a 1,200-seat theatre.
"I think this is going to be one of the most magic places in the Mediterranean," Mr Piano had said enthusiastically about the theatre in an interview with The Times about his plans.
But many in the art scene in Malta did not share the excitement. In fact, last week, the government was faced with a petition by 128 prominent personalities opposing the concept of an open air space.
The addition of the 25-metre span actually came before the petition but was a reaction to the first comments by the public following an exhibition showing the project in detail and which was aimed as a consultation exercise.
Mr Piano had stressed that the opera house site was not big enough to house a contemporary theatre able to join the European opera circuit. In fact, the site was not deemed adequate to house the Parliament building, as the government had originally proposed. Instead, Mr Piano had proposed to restore the ruins and turn them into a piazza which, in the summer months, could be turned into a theatre that is partly shielded by sail-like, side panels.
The subject is now likely to be discussed at a meeting the Prime Minister said he was willing to have with Mr Piano and representatives of the artistes and theatre buffs opposing the idea.
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Comments
But those millions will be diverted towards building a new plush futuristic eyesore new parliament that will give a lot of return, as from it we will have all the new taxes approved!!!!
For me all the talk about capacity is crap as the inside could be enlarged by excavating to enlarge the headroom and make seating on a 2 tier system. Ok it will not be the exact original but the geberal theme could be the same and the outside an exact replica.
after browsing through some of the plans posted by others below, still kinda like this one best.
The look and functionality suit Valletta, those ruins are a part of it, and will look amazing when enhanced.
Also, who really wants an all glass structure?
The energy costs alone will financially cripple the operation.
The arts struggles for cash enough.
Open air is not so bad.
It will be nice to walk by at night and hear whatever is going on inside spill over on the street.
1)---I am all out for the project per se...anything is better than what we have now. period.
2)---City gate plans are fine.....bus terminus plans are exciting.......St.James Ditch plans are great...the idea of having a Parliament is a waste of money...and well having a roofless theatre?....As I said anything's better than ruins I suppose.
3)---That having been said I'm NOT a theatre expert or goer neither am I an architect. So I'd leave the better judgement on such issues to people who are far more qualified than me. 120 artistes including Joseph Calleja, Seraccino Inglott, Kenneth Zammit tabona and others have made their criticism quite clear. I hope we're not implying that these have some agenda too.
4)---my comment was what it was....clear and obvious. The present PM towards whom many have directed their crit. about Piano's plans is not exactly in listening mood about anything under the sun right now.
...there, thats my agenda!!!
As a Visual example I am again suggesting this building whose dimensions and features are representative and display similarity to the O H .
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/24840435 http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2507371
Denouncing the site as being too small is a lame excuse ! It is the Proposed Parliament Block if this is the case, is restricting an slight encroachment on Freedom Square . 10 meters (33 ft.) are more than enough , and this can be also achieved at the rear . St. James Cavalier can be connected , to serve as an auxilliary building for the Theatre .
This would be one of the most MAGICAL places in the Mediterranean , said Proffs.PIANO in an interview . Mamma mia !!!!!!!
Renzo , after 23 years , has failed us again a second time !
Needles to say that this also applies to the current government and to the prime minister himself, by insistiing in opting for Renzo Piano's design and never evaluate what maltese and local architects had to offer is enough proof that Gonzi PN and Dr.Gonzi don't care about maltese talents and don't care about the aesthetics of our capital city.
All of this is very sad when considering that the knights of the order of St.John had chosen a maltese architect for most of the buildings in Valletta, the very same people that actually built all of Valletta chose maltese architects whilst the current prime minister and his candidates prefer to squander our finances on a fancy architectural design that is aesthetically a disaster for our capital city. If only Grand Master La Vallette could see!
Can somebody give me an example of superb design that's the result of a gaggle of artistes muttering their opinion?
I love the idea of building around the ruins and as a reminder. The generation that lived the war will soon be past and we will lose the temperance and patience to resolve conflicts peacefully.
We want concrete action not gimmicks to shut people's mouths up...
Strait Street is crying out for an upgrade from shanty town to Talk of the Town.
The shanty town as you describe the lower part of Valletta is merely a bit run down/neglected and not frequented by visitors/shoppers to the City 'because there is nothing there'. I travel and I can assure you the the Plaka in Athens (to you a shanty town) -
http://www.athensguide.com/plaka.html and the Alfama in Lisbon - http://www.golisbon.com/sight-seeing/alfama.html - I am sure there are scores of other examples of 'shanty' towns turned into attractions Mr. Fenech. Note that both examples quoted are described as 'villages within a city'.
Cont./
“…..so let the project begin”
The sooner, the better!
Kos hux ghal- busniuss class flights u poxx cars ma hemmx tqancic imma!!
It would have been more proper to refrain from judging one’s own contribution.
The whole issue is certainly not about nostalgia. I, for one, am one of those who were not only here before 1942, but was born and lived in Valletta until the break of WWII.
I attended St Joseph High School (then located in Zachary Street) and was lucky enough to be one of those students chosen to perform in the school’s annual play (The Postman) which was held in that theater. Yet, I am not one single iota nostalgic about all this, and I seem to have missed most of those contributions, which according to you were tinted with nostalgia.
The whole issue is about messing up a Gem of a City by a style of architecture which clashes heavily with the rest. I would dare call it anachronism at its best and certainly most unique and innovative !!
Whether I would have to live with it or not is definitely not the case since I flatly refuse to look at this issue from such an egoistic point of view – Valletta resident or not !
I agree that an opera house would make a difference, but this is only a lame excuse for an opera house! If half the money spent on this project was used on fundamental plans, Valletta would be a safe place to walk in without risking breaking your leg.
I agree with the argument that this "is not a convertible car", one cannot just decide to take off the roof when he feels like!
The partial roof is there to quiet the artists and "satisfy" them. What about the audience? I am not ready to pay to watch and opera on plastic seats and get soaked, because in Malta it never rains, it pours! And I'm sure I'm not alone.
I am sorry this project caused so many problems, it had such potential to make Valletta more beautiful, but I think it will ruin it.
Our revered Professor accepted a suggestion from a naughty student: 'Why not close one half of the window so that the noise will be reduced by at least 50%?'
'Fantastic! What a brilliant student you are!', the professor exclaimed.
And so did we, to the charm and amazement of us all....
Perhaps our dear Prime Minister intends to do just the same with that half covered theatre! Brilliantly funny, ain't it not?
@ Joseph M Scicluna
I had already remarked the same some months ago.
Give us back the beautiful Theatre in its normal structure.
Please help us out.....we're confused!!!!!
Malteser and tourists alike will have easy access to it with public transport and no congestion.
Build a buidling similar to the original theatre, on a larger footprint. The lower floor is a theatre. The upper part will the parlament.
Cynics may point out it will still be another theatre that convenes on a regular basis. The pjazza will remain as it should be - public space, a lung of air in an overbuilt island and overbuilt city.......
Have a look an enjoy!
http://www.caravaggio.com/projects/oh/operahouse.php
Please respond dearly.
Sarcasm is such a lame way of arguing... but I will put up with it for the sake of Valletta.
So much for all the re-enactments to revive pride in ancient tradition. YES Valletta is a Baroque Renaissance City and it should be kept that way as much as is practically possible. Dress code and internal utilization of the buildings is a completely separate matter from architectural style. Valletta can still serve its modern purpose without having to violate its aesthetics.
I've got no problem with Valletta being designed and commissioned by foreigners. So long as they show respect to the city. YES Piano can do a better job than Barry IFF he reverts the Theater to a Baroque style that matches the rest of the city. Anything else is the Professional Suicide of Piano and the Rape of Valletta.
On the contrary, my dear island-bound friend - Just to mention a few, I've been to Utzon's Sydney Opera House, Stockholm - Kungliga Operan, New York - The Metropolitan Opera House and the Prague National Theater .... all in the last 6 months!
Each time I enter these magnificent buildings I remember Piano's mess and I feel shamed and humiliated. You, on the contrary, have clearly never experienced the awe and wonder that these magnificent buildings - [All built to match their surroundings] - impart on the visitor or passer by.
The Valletta site has a footprint that is sufficient for housing the largest hall of Sydney's Opera House. It can house TWO Prague National Theaters. It can comfortably accommodate the Kungliga Operan or the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts... need I say any more?
Be silent my friend, before you wreck your own reputation in geometry and elementary metrology - like Piano and the Prime Minister just did.
10 - 20 year down the line, who know if Malta will have it opera house or are we waiting for the centenary year of its destruction before it is built ?
Regarding St. James Cavalier - there is much to be said. I have it from good sources that the interior could have been preserved better, whilst works should have mimicked the period architecture. Using the same measures as above - To say SJC is 'beautiful' is a lack of understanding of the elements.
Ps. I live in Sliema where Avant Garde buildings are welcome (in certain areas) and they are a joy to see - but this because they are in the right context and ambient. At the same time nobody would like an upsidedown LOVE in the middle of Valletta.
regards
Grigal or Maestral – whichever blows first, that monument to sheer incompetency would become airborne ! With the onset of the first wind storm, it would certainly be unusually funny to listen to the reporter/s on any one or all of the local radio stations enthusiastically exclaiming what has now become a familiar phrase “we now have lift-off !!! ” ... Volare ... pian ....piano .... nel blu dipinto di blu !!!
Ma su ! … Caro Piano ! …. Sopra corna …. bastonate !
The fault is always and solely of Gonzi and Gatt. They wanted a parliament and got an original one signed R.P. that will ruin any hope of having enough space for the rebuilding of a modern opera house.
That’s the story. No need to go about and beat about the bush. The area of the old opera theatre is too small for something viable.
Valletta was a fortified city built for mediaeval gentlemen, so nothing less than mediaeval architecture should be built there. Everyone entering Valletta should be wearing the right mediaeval costumes and we should man all the gardjoli to make sure that there are no pirates or (god forbid) foreign architects and engineers climbing up our bastions.
LOL - looks like many of us forget that Valletta (including the opera house) was designed and commissioned by foreigners in the first place and that our city was usually upgraded using the most modern style and techniques available at the time.
La Vallette hadn't set out to build a neolithic temple complex !!!! And neither did the Opera House architect, Edward Barry, design a Renaissance building.
Everybody except Mr. PIano, knows that Topless in this case, is hopeless, it will not work. ( full stop). It seems to me, as we are paying for this, if Mr. Piano can't agree, sack him a get a Maltese architect, surely ther must be one or two who can design it to the wishes of the people.
Also, Piano had his hands tied because the government asked him to design something which would cost as little as possible - he delivered. If money is a problem, we cannot expect a grand design but one that reflects who we are NOW - flexible, moving on,with our eyes on the rest of the world, - people who like to keep their options open. The design describes us or perhaps it describes how Piano sees us. Maybe he was too optimistic,maybe he didn't see we still like to be protected and cocooned.
Those who keep insisting that the area is "Too_Small_Full_Stop!" need a lecture by Prof Debono on Lateral Thinking! If you include Freedom Square, this is actually a very large site - more than sufficient for a large world-class Opera House! :
Mentioning Prof Debono means you are really smart! Or maybe you've NEVER been to a theatre or opera abroad! And what are you going to fill you opera with : some local amateurs?
Well said... This is the place for beautiful old fashioned architecture - everything else should be barred. MEPA - being the lapdogs they have proven to be - will approve anything that the government forced it to. So we can't even count on MEPA for common good taste to prevail. Their top priorities are of course those "Sunbeds in Comino!".
@Patrick Refalo
1900 century architecture is STILL not good enough. In this case we NEED 1565 architecture. Valletta is a medieval city - let us hope it remains one! If you want to express your flair in modern art and architecture - perhaps with some exciting pink tall glass buildings in the shape of a condom - go take it to Bugibba where it belongs.
Leave Valletta alone! More than enough desecration has occurred already. Now we have to spend extra cash to undo the mistaken interventions of the past. Let's not add to them. Let us not add another piece of nonsense that will have to be torn down a few years down the line in front of Piano's eyes!
Let me guess, the partial roof solution is a gratuituous happy compromise to keep those with common sense quiet about the silly design? I think not.... We the People want an Opera House with a real roof please. I am sure that there are thousands like me, who prefer to relax in our nice clothes at the theatre while watching Puccini; and not be armed with parasoles, wearing outdoor jackets, complete with thermos just in case!
Then Piano, who should know better, knows even less. For he comes up with a design that has only managed to stir up Malta (in_anger) like few other things in history. He is being crass and offensive. This canvas roof adds insult to injury. We want a real building.
@_C._Borg
Kultant nahseb li l-bicca mahsuba sew min Piano biex jgholli il-prezz. Dak x'interress ghandu li jitfa disinn accettabli mill-ewwel. Jekk jgeghlna noqghodu nbiddlu, flok lira dawwar tnejn.
@_Joe_Fenech
You clearly expound the "finesse" of your taste and disrespect for classical architecture. We DESPERATELY NEED a classic looking building that makes our city as Medieval as the Knights left it. That is THE ONLY appeal that Valletta has. Once Valletta loses its Medieval character we might as well bulldoze everything down and build a glass city - which will lose all its visitors.
@_Joseph_Cauchi
Those who keep insisting that the area is "Too_Small_Full_Stop!" need a lecture by Prof Debono on Lateral Thinking! If you include Freedom Square, this is actually a very large site - more than sufficient for a large world-class Opera House!
As a commentator in these columns said just a few days ago, that this Opera House is JINXED - burnt twice and bombed -; this seems to be that “something” or “somebody” is sending us a clear “message” that this site should NOT be touched and thus left as it is!
Is this SUPERSTITION?
I am quite aware how superstitious the “people of the stage” are and with this frame of mind, I am quite certain that they would agree with the above!
JC.
MALTESE MENTALITY!! it seems that our behavior is still that of 1900!! Architecture is something like many other things
in the world - that I might like, you might not.
Some love to be adventurous and like this idea of an open air theatre some are just scared of rain, dust and prefer a
closed building!
@J. Saliba says “I am convinced that the amateurs in question, me included, are surely able to come up with more dignified plans.....”
Do you really, really, really know what you are saying? If anything you confirm that you know nothing about architecture and design.
But the stubborness of our Government to locate parlament there is going to ruin the theatre and also our pockets.
Also, getting an Piano was Gonzi's way of desperately trying to advertise Malta. He ignored the fact that the architect who designed the Sydney Opera House was practically a nobody at that time. What made the Sydney Opera House a landmark, was its ingeniosity. Nothing ingenious in the ensemble of this poor project.
We NEED DESPERATELY some ultra modern building - those can go instead of the slums that cover our shanty town.
I cannot understand the stubbornness of some people to understand that the site in question is NOT ideal for today’s theatrical productions.
The area is TOO SMALL. Full Stop!
This should not be a matter of nostalgia but of common sense!
JC.
What example is that? London is full of restored buildings and it's main monuments from the 19th century are all NEO this and NEO that.
Rebuilding the opera house doesn't mean one has to use it as an opera house - yes, it is tiny and we don't have a proper orchestra, technicians and singers to fill it in with. There is also the possibility to have an ultra modern interior and use the building as café, art , media shops, fashion outlets, Michelin star restaurants, etc.
On the other hand, Valletta would do with some ultra modern buildings to replace the slums that litter more than half its area - it's a disgrace!
This Government is simply incredible......incredibly pathetic
A possible solution to this serious predicament might lie as explained below:
Request the great Architect to use the combined space of both Theatre Site and planned Parliamentary site to produce one building. This building is to serve as National Arts theatre with ancillary services. If Parliament can be accommodated therein all the better - if not move Parliament to another already existing building.
Hopefully this suggestion will be considered.
The great architect will I am sure be able to present an attractive, practical building. He can be given leeway to utilize the Plans he has altered worked on and adapt those to fit the new request.
What about the seating: would this be in place and exposed to the elements, or removed and placed again for each performance; the cost of this would be re-current and impractical.
The City gate should not have the road on top removed; rather the present structure should be retained, and enhancement is done to it, to make the whole area more attractive.
Can you imagine Axl Rose of Guns n’ Roses as a tenor?
Can you imagine Wayne Rooney playing tennis?
Can you imagine an Air Malta pilot operating a Space shuttle?
So what is an ultra modern architect doing in a baroque city?
Gilormu Cassar must be turning in his grave!!
John Portelli
Perth
Western Australia
Malta version: "Great minds discuss results; Average minds discuss solutions; Small minds discuss justifications"
Perhaps, one day this country manages to vision the results of its actions, avoid ignoring inevitable consequences and, Act , not simply pretend to be smart.
With apologies to some.
I am still flabbergasted why we are using this foreign architect when in Malta we have professional people who have designed wonders. Maltese Architects have designed hotels in Libya and Sudan and in other parts of Europe (ask Corinthia Group) but for the present government they are not good enough for Valletta.
I could never and will never be able to understand this attitude......................
This is my tuppenny's worth opinion. And I won't even charge the 2p.
cont./
Having said all this, there are other areas that need the immediate intervention of government. Priorities! Priorities! Our taxes should be more wisely managed.
@Joseph Cauchi, Disregarding the people of Malta is a trait the Prime Minister has become known for. None of us are "instant experts" Mr Cauchi and neither are you; your comment is obviously tainted by the colour Blue.
I hope we can make arrangements with the Weather Gods to send only "partial showers" to Malta.
Unless he intends to open an umbrella shop at the entrance?
what’s next, perhaps PAC-a-MACs for the patrons
Yes very intelligent ideas!
I just hope that the Prime Minister will show his true leadership and carry on with this Piano project and kindly disregard those “instant experts” who have the audacity of challenging the world’s renowned architect Renzo Piano.
Veru Pajjiz ta’ PRUZUNTUZI LI JIFHMU F’KOLLOX!
JC.
We Pay... so We Decide. Lets not make this a political battle cry.... but a cry not to ruin our capital city!
Lets stop digging our heads in the sand and rethink the whole thing from the start. But it seems that someone has too much pride to walk with the people and hear what they have to say.
"The plans, which have been submitted to the planning authority, are not conclusive but the idea is to shelter performers and any technical equipment from light showers..."
So it is expectd that audiences will attend whatever events are taking place be it raining cats and dogs or searing heat because now the performers and equipment are shaded. Dawn x'purcinellati huma???!!!!!
Money well spent....well done!!