Press - Jeff Galea
June 2007 - An Opera composed and sung in the Maltese Language in Australia
" I remember very well when in April 2004, the Opera 'Il Matri'composed by the Maestro, Carmelo Pace, was presented at the Riverside Theatre at Parramatta.Without doubt this was the first Maltese Opera presented in Australia. The Opera was about the rebellion against France in 1798 and the protagonist was the Maltese hero, Dun Mikiel Xerri.
It looks as though we are now entering another period when a second generation Maltese youth has taken on the difficult task of composing an opera in the Maltese language and to be presented in Australia for the first time.
Jeff Galea, B.Mus.Hons (Sydney), MA (Wollongong) at the age of forty is a well known guitarist and composer and is the proprietor of Cadence Music school at Pendle Hill, N.S.W.where he has 130 students. His interest in this piece of classical history comes from his ties with Maltese Culture, which he inherits from his well known father, Maltese singer, Joe Galea and his mother, Josephine.
Jeff has already composed a double concert for the guitar, "Melita Fantasie", and to achieve this he had to undertake in-depth research of Ghana and Prejjem. This work stirred much interest among the Universities of both Sydney and Wollongong.
Here it was revealed how little Australians know about Malta. In Jeff's opinion, this opera that he is composing, which is about the Great Seige of 1565, will reveal the development of the Maltese character. It is the story based on the conflict between Christianity and Islam, which is going on even now. According to Jeff, the Great Seige of 1565 was significant for the whole world and he hopes that this opera will open another window around those times.
This young man started planning the opera late in 2005 and together with Professor Stephen Ingham of the University of Wollongong discussed at length, what could be achieved. After serious research into the siege, the Libretto has been written by Bonny Cassidy and completed early this year. Jeff plans to finish the opera by 2008. While much research has been undertaken already about the element of the story, around the Cavaliers, the Turks and Religions, this research is still going on.
Originally, the opera will be in English with sessions of Maltese dialogue, but finally it will be wholly translated into Maltese. All this will be the cornerstone of Jeff's studies for the PhD, which requires that the opera be presented "live" on stage. He says that when it is time to translate into the Maltese, Frank Zammit and Rigu Bovingdon have shown much interest and in fact have already rendered him valuable assistance. Jeff hopes to obtain some funding for his project from the University and has already had some financial assistance from the Maltese Cultural Association, the Cittadini Theatre Group, both of N.S.W. and other private donations.
A short time ago a variety concert was held at the Wentworthville Leagues Club to raise funds to support Jeff. Those who took part were: the Cittadini Theatre Group, James Cassar, Angelle and Daniel and Amanda Bonnici
Jeff Galea has thanked his parents for their support and the many people who have helped him.
Is this truly the first opera in Maltese? There is no doubt that it will be the first one composed and sung in Maltese in Australia. "
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