10 years ago - The Sunday Times
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Malta needs a proper opera house – Joseph Calleja
Tenor Joseph Calleja has spoken of his “shock” when he learnt that the government was planning to forge ahead with the idea to shift Parliament to the site of the former Royal Opera House.
Mr Calleja, who has performed in many of the world’s major theatres, believes Malta needs a proper opera house, since the Manoel Theatre, Mediterranean Conference Centre and St James Cavalier are inadequate.
“I do not think it is in the national interest for Malta to be one of the few countries in the world which does not have an opera house,” he told The Sunday Times yesterday, pointing out that even Gozo is equipped with two opera houses – the Astra and Aurora – which can stage big productions. Mr Calleja believes the site should be developed into a multipurpose state-of-the-art auditorium suitable for musicals, opera, theatre, ballet and even special conferences to make it more financially feasible.
Lawrence Gonzi confirmed that Italian architect Renzo Piano had been engaged to design Valletta’s City Gate and the site of the former opera house, which has been in ruins since the war. The Prime Minister said the government decided not to include a theatre because it did not want to saturate the area.
25 years ago - The Times
Tuesday, December 7, 1993
Maltese doctor in US research team developing arthritis cure
A Maltese doctor has played a key role in developing a potential new cure for arthritis.
Dr Joanna Galea-Lauri, a former student of St Dorothy’s School, Mdina, and St Aloysius College, was part of a top team of researchers working on revolutionary new gene treatment at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre.
Team leader Prof. Christopher Evans said: “Ultimately if we can get the gene to function in the joint for years, the treatment in effect becomes a cure. This achievement paves the way for the use of gene therapy to treat arthritis and related diseases. “
Gene therapy tests on humans have still to be carried out, but the new treatment has proved to be successful on laboratory animals.
Collision priest dies
A 60-year-old priest from Lija died in hospital on Sunday from injuries he received in a traffic accident on November 26. Can Salvino Cauchi was in a car with another elderly man from St Julian’s when they were involved in a collision at Xemxija.
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Saturday, December 7, 1968
Closer links between industry and Polytechnic
The ball was set rolling yesterday for the establishment of closer links between industry and the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. A cross section of local industrialists and representatives of public bodies, at a meeting on ‘Industry and the Polytechnic’ held yesterday morning, agreed there was need for the setting up of liaison committees to each department.
The importance of the meeting was reflected in the attendance of three ministers, Dr P. Borg Oliver, Minister of Education, Culture and Tourism, who opened the meeting, Dr J. Spiteri, Minister of Trade, Industry and Agriculture, and Dr V. Tabone, Minister of Labour Employment and Welfare.
Distinguished cartoonist here till the spring
H.M. Bateman, the distinguished cartoonist, will make an introductory address at the opening today of the exhibition of painting by Sylvia Halliday at the De Porres Hall, Sliema. Miss Strickland will open the exhibition.
His cartoons have appeared in newspapers and magazines in the UK, USA, Germany, France and other countries.