Paul Asciak News
Maltese opera singer (1923-2015)
Commemorations 2025 (Death: Paul Asciak)
- tenor
- Crown Colony of Malta, State of Malta, Malta
- opera singer
Last update
2024-03-24
Refresh
2018-09-13 05:50:27
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Some describe Nico’s story as “tragic”, according to cabaret artist Danielle Asciak. But in the life of this composer can be
2017-02-22 14:00:51
Devil may not care
[…] phrasing, all in the service of expression and meaning. The acting could still improve, but when the singing is on this level, it matters less. I note the date, and I suppose it is not a reach that Calleja’s mind was occupied with things this opera and this production touch upon: youth and age, lessons and wisdom, brotherhood and love. Earlier in the year, his countryman and only teacher, the fine mid-20th-century Maltese tenor Paul Asciak, had died at 92. Calleja and Asciak had been student and mentor from the time Calleja was 15. Even in advanced age, Asciak would travel far to see his star pupil and friend whenever he could, as the younger tenor established an international career. In 2012, Asciak wrote, “I join the proud people of my native island home, which has already produced other internationally recognized singers, in the hope of the fulfillment of the […]
2016-01-22 15:00:11
[…] Grammophon. Chung led the orchestra in its first performance at The Proms in August 2014. In September 2011, Chung made a cultural breakthrough visit to Pyongyang, North Korea, returning with an agreement to form an orchestra made up of musicians from North and South Korea. 2 Joseph Calleja Happy 38th birthday Joseph Calleja! He began singing at the age of 16, having been discovered by tenor Brian Cefai and continued his studies with Paul Asciak. At 19, he made his operatic debut as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth at the Astra Theatre in Gozo and went on to become a prize winner at the Belvedere Hans Gabor Competition the same year. In 1998, he won the Caruso Competition in Milan and was a prize winner in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia International Opera Competition in 1999. He has since been considered one of the most promising young tenors of the 21st century. […]
The Boston Musical Intelligencer
2015-04-22 17:21:32
Charisma, Calleja: What a Voice!
[…] gaining in excitement. Our immediate impression of Calleja was of an approachable, charming, tall, jokester! He began the evening by coming on stage with his pianist Kevin Miller, acknowledging the applause, pausing briefly, saying, “Thank you very much!” and making as if to leave! That set the tone for the gently lighthearted repartee he brought to his introduction of each piece. Born in 1978 Calleja began to sing at 16, studying with Maltese tenor Paul Asciak. He made his professional debut as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth in his native Malta. Shortly thereafter he was an award winner at the Hans Gabor Belvedere Competition and his international career was launched. He has sung 28 major roles, in the major houses of Europe and at the Metropolitan Opera. He has also appeared with major orchestras throughout Europe and North America. He is a Decca recording artist with five solo recordings to his […]
or
- timeline: Lyrical singers (Europe).
- Indexes (by alphabetical order): A...