Joseph Calleja’s third solo album has achieving chart success in Germany, claiming the second overall position in the German charts. The Maltese Tenor was released in Germany last month and has since captured the hearts – and ears – of the German people. Last month it was hailed as the ‘Album of the Week’ by the North German Broadcasting network NDR.

The new album was also released in Italy last month and will be released in the USA in the autumn. It features Joseph Calleja performing some of the best pieces in his repertoire, including E lucevan le stele“ from Tosca, the ballad of Kleinzach from The Tales of Hoffmann and arias from La Bohème, Simon Boccanegra, Faust, Manon, The Pearl Fishers and more.

After a 30-minute promotional appearance in the UK last Friday, Joseph received rave reviews from Jessica Duchen, blogger and music journalist for the UK Independent. In her review, she writes: “By the time he’d finished his programme... I reckon the entire gathering was head over heels in love. This is a major, major star in the making. If he’s coming to a stage near you soon, you don’t just want a ticket; you need one, fast.”

Joseph has just ended a series of performances in the role of Rodolfo in Puccini’s opera La Bohème at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich.

He will be performing here in Malta at the eagerly awaited annual summer concert this coming Saturday at The Granaries in Floriana and he will be joined by Italian icon Lucio Dalla and New Zealander soprano Hayley Westenra. The concert will also include the participation of the HSBC Children’s Choir.

Tickets, starting from €35 for the general standing area, are available from www.nngpromotions.com and Vodafone outlets. The concert is supported by Vodafone Malta, HSBC and Malta International Airport.