President Eddie Fenech Adami bestowed the Malta Society of Arts Manufactures and Commerce’s 2007 gold medal to Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja in a ceremony held at the Casino Maltese. The award was given in recognition of Calleja’s outstanding international career.

The ballroom of the Casino Maltese was packed with close to 300 people, who attended the ceremony to honour the young Maltese singer. After a brief introduction by society president Paul Asciak, who was an international singer himself and was also Joseph Calleja’s tutor and mentor, Professor Richard England gave a speech praising Joseph Calleja and opera in general. He was followed by Albert Storace who gave elaborated on Calleja’s repertoire. Abram Borg then showed video excerpts, and remarked upon some of Calleja’s performances.

The President then presented the medal to Joseph Calleja, who crowned the evening by singing two arias, for which he received a standing ovation.