'Not Government’s role to interfere with Piano’s decisions' – PM Lawrence Gonzi

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi feels he must give free rein to Renzo Piano about the site of the former Royal Opera House at City Gate, Valletta.

“It is not the government’s role to interfere with architect Renzo Piano’s artistic and architectural decisions,” was Gonzi’s anomalous answer to a parliamentary question put to him by MP Owen Bonnici.

Considering that Renzo Piano was commissioned by the government – and normal practice dictate that it is the client who gives at least basic specifications to the architect – Gonzi’s reply was not necessarily music to the ears of the many who have argued against the decision to create a roofless theatrical space on the site of what was once considered one of the best theatre's in Europe before WWII.

Dr Gonzi’s concise reply was made in answer to a considerably more extensive question. Labour’s spokesman on culture had asked the Prime Minister whether, “in view of the forceful and harsh criticism from all those involved in the artistic sector about the Prime Minister’s proposal to have a roofless theatre on the site of the former Royal Opera House, can [he] say if there has been any adjustment in the government’s position, in the sense that theatre will be roofed and built appropriately to have a national theatre as this country merits, one which has produced musicians of an international level?

Bonnici added: “If not, why is the PM still going ahead with plans that have been radically criticised by all experts in the artistic sector, including some of the best Maltese opera singers?”

The Association of Performing Arts Practitioners (APAP) had in fact prepared a whole dossier called ‘A theatre instead of an open-air space on the Royal Opera House site’, The dossier, which pointing out the disadvantages of investing in a roofless theatre, was presented to Dr Mario de Marco last October.

However, the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture refused to discuss the plans at the time, saying that these had already been decided upon. APAP issued a statement to this effect yesterday, shortly after the PM’s parliamentary statement.

During the same meeting, APAP – which was founded primarily because of its opposition to the roofless theatre – also asked de Marco about the plans for Malta Conference Centre suggested by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. At that time, the parliamentary secretary hinted that Mackintosh’s project had been abandoned, and suggested the regeneration of St Elmo area as a theatrical venue instead.

But when the Association pointed out to de Marco that “in the proposal of the regeneration of St Elmo, neither is there a mention of a theatre, nor the space for one, de Marco said the artists can have a fully fledged theatre anywhere in Malta, and not necessarily in Valletta.”

Last October Mario de Marco also told APAP that “Piano’s idea is not irreversible” and that “the government is in no way committing itself to the site”. He also said that Malta’s status as European Capital of Culture for 2018 will address the requirements of the artists and it will also be “an excuse to work on an all-purpose theatre”.

APAP describes the ‘investment in an open air space, which will be used only a few weeks a year, and which the performers do not really need as Malta has many such spaces, is a waste of citizens’ money. This could be used more fruitfully by starting to really address the performing arts’ needs.”