"[...] a lyrical phenomenon, with gentle soft permanent legato, that nevertheless has plenty of carrying power. Vocally [...] he is a dream [...]."
RIGOLETTO, MÜNCHEN:
Suddeutsche Zeitung, July 2005
REVIEWS: RIGOLETTO
Reviews of various performances of Rigoletto (Verdi). Joseph Calleja performed the role of the Duke of Mantua:
Bayerische Staatsoper, München, Germany
6 & 9 july 2005
SÜddeutsche Zeitung, 8 July 2005
Beyond the Apes - In Verdi's Rigoletto the Singers and the Music Triumphed
"As the Duke he is no macho, but rather a lyrical phenomenon, with gentle soft permanent legato, that nevertheless has plenty of carrying power. Dramatically, the young Maltese singer will have to leave some posing (which sneaks into his voice as a kind of pregnant pause) behind him. Vocally, however, he is a dream."
E. Tholl (English translation by Donald Arthur)
Abendzeitung, 8 July 2005
"Calleja’s bright timbre took a little getting used to at the beginning, but his musicality and sense of style ultimately disarmed his audience. We have to think back on Alfredo Kraus for such a supreme performance of the aria “Ella mi fu rapita” as was given in this festival performance, thoughtfully conducted by Zubin Mehta. Here and then later in the quartet the Maltese tenor effortlessly mastered all the pitfalls – an extra top-class tenor."
V. Boser (English translation by Donald Arthur)
TZ, 8 July 2005
"[...] Joseph Calleja a Maltese falcon in flight (upwards) to a place among the tenoreal élite, as the Duke. Effortlessly he pops out his top notes, handles his vocal means intelligently and has enough substance also to perform his mocking “La donna è mobile” flawlessly and with enormous sophistication. His light metallic timbre really suits the role."
M. Bieber (English translation by Donald Arthur)
De Nederlandse Opera, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
4, 7, 9, 12, 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 & 30 November2004
OPERATODAY.COM, 7 DECEMBER 2004
"Imagine a little bit of young Björling mixed with parts of young Pavarotti and add a healthy dose of young Tagliavini while the small fluttery vibrato is all Calleja’s own. In short, a mellifluous and exciting lyric tenor sound in the very best Italian tradition. The voice is maybe not over big but carries extremely well in a difficult theatre like Amsterdam. The only weakness for the moment lies at the very top of the range and that is somewhat unlike Pavarotti and Björling but more than one tenore di grazia had a short top."
Jan Neckers, OperaToday.com
Wiener Staatsoper, Wien, Austria
14, 18 & 22 September 2004
Der Standard, 16 September 2004
"Joseph Calleja made his debut in Vienna playing the role of the Duke of Mantua and was supreme; he has an alluring, character-full voice with a sound reminiscent of Caruso, consistent, controlled, unforced and secure. Even in the top register it's a full and strong performance. The womaniser is a loan shark who sees himself as a Board Member. He is sharp and brilliant."
Stefan Ender
