I wholeheartedly agree with most of the plans presented by Renzo Piano for Valletta, but I cannot understand how the old opera site will function as an open-air theatre right in the heart of Valletta.

I know that there are other arenas in various European cities that are open-air, in spite of being in countries where the weather is not as kind as it is in Malta. But most of them are distinctly cut off from the hustle and bustle of the city where they are in, and this isolation allows for their success.

Yet, the place where the old opera house ruins are is exactly at the entrance of the capital city, the place from where the highest number of people pass on their way in or out of Valletta. Human noise will most certainly distract any shows that would be staged inside the new theatre.

I am not against open air theatres, but I do not think that the right place for this is the old opera house.

Mario Mifsud

Sliema