Small Island, Great Riches: The Life of Paul Asciak, Tenor and Teacher from Malta Book

This book tells the moving story of the life of Paul Asciak. Born in Valletta, Malta, he determined to become an opera singer achieving his ambition against the many odds and developing a successful career in Italy and the UK. When he was only 38 he gave it all up to return to his family in Malta and begin a new life. Over thirty years later he discovered the outstanding vocal talent of Joseph Calleja and became his only teacher, training him in the tradition of fine singing in which he himself had been nurtured.Paul Asciak's story is told against the background of the many changes in Maltese life over the last eighty years. It is an inspriing story of energy, dedication, generosity and achievement won despite some private sadnesses. It throws light on Maltese identity and culture, the history of opera in Malta and, for the first time, describes in detail the way in which Calleja's unique sound and style were fostered by Asciak.Described by the Sunday Times as a "lively and perceptive portrait ... not just a vividly written biography, but a valuable contribution to the history of the operatic tradition".Joseph Calleja is now a much talked about tenor on both sides of the Atlantic with his recent cd immediately going to No 1 in the UK Classical charts. "Small Island, Great Riches" tells the story of his teacher, the tenor Paul Asciak, now the only survivor of the cast of the legendary Callas "Norma" performances at Covent Garden in 1952 and '3. It describes in detail how he trained Calleja exclusively in Malta, drawing on the long tradition of opera in Malta and the recorded legacy of the Golden Age singers. It is these which give Calleja his unique qualities as a singer.Read More