Do you have music in your genes? Any relatives who were musicians on either side of your family?
Probably yes. My uncle (from my mother's side) was the late Dominic Grech and leader of The Tramps, composer of the iconic songs Xemx, Għawdex inti djamant and Sinjur ġib il-paċi.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
Two instances that inspired me: watching Mro Joseph Sammut conducting Carmen at the Aurora Opera House and violinist Carmine Lauri at the Gozo Cathedral.
You have also learnt how to play the clarinet with the 'legend' Freddie Mizzi. Do you ever pick up the clarinet?
As most Maltese musicians I started my musical career playing the clarinet in a local band club. Before deciding that music will be my career, I attended private lessons in clarinet with the late Maltese clarinettist Freddie Mizzi and also in theory of music with Mro Lawrence Borg. Subsequently I read BA in Music and later M.Phil in Music at the University of Malta. There I had the opportunity to study with two great professors namely Charles Camilleri and Joseph Vella. I also studied conducting with Prof Michael Laus and attended conducting masterclasses abroad.
I also formed part of a clarinet quartet. Due to personal
reasons I stopped playing the clarinet some two years ago.
Conducting Puccini is not new to you. Your opera conducting debut occurred in June 2002, with a concert version of Puccini's Le Villi (Malta première) - an event which was attended by the composer's grand-daughter, Simonetta Puccini.
Can you share with us a few comments about that occasion?
It is known by everyone in Malta that I am one of the biggest fans of Giacomo Puccini and his music. My house is named Casa Puccini and my son, Giacomo. I have been to Lucca, Puccini's birthplace some four times.
I was the mastermind behind the Malta première of Le Villi in 2002. It was a great experience especially having Puccini's grand daughter in the audience. My first contact with Simonetta Puccini goes back to the early 90's when I was writing my BA disseration on Turandot. We became friends and I even visited her many times when I happened to be at Torre del Lago or Milan.
Do you ever have disagreements or conflicts with members of the orchestra? If so how do you handle them?
Disagreements yes, conflicts no. When I say disagreements I am referring to moments when I have an interpretation in mind which is not always understood by all musicians. Obviously, as a conductor, you have to try to put yourself in their position and understand why - something that is very natural for me having played in different bands and orchestras myself. If I feel they have valid reasons, yes I do give them credit. Unfortunately we have conductors who have not played in orchestras or other ensembles and this makes it very difficult for them to be understood.
What strategies do you use to prepare for a concert? For example the forthcoming Puccini concert?
Having one of the largest collections of recordings in Malta, I start by listening to different iconic interpretations and then I form my own.
What challenges do you face as a conductor?
The role of a conductor like myself who is the music director of a Foundation run by volunteers is very different from that of a conductor of professional orchestras. My role goes beyond conducting. In the concerts organised by the Classique Foundation, apart from conducting, most often I also have to apply for funds, book artists, organise rehearsals and publicity, act as taxi driver for foreign artists, do the artwork and so on. You have to be an all rounder. This makes my role very stressful and forward planning is essential.
How do you motivate the orchestra?
A very difficult question to answer. Well, I hope I am one of those conductors who inspire and motivate the musicians. Not very easy. What I am sure of is that I always prepare myself very well and do my very best to treat the musicians well.
Which useful piece of advice have you been given in connection with music?
To acknowledge that you never know enough. You must always be open to learning.
In 2001 you set up the Classique Foundation - the first of its kind in Gozo, which was inaugurated with a highly acclaimed concert, Verdi in concerto. This was followed by many others, most of them with the participation of the National Orchestra of Malta (now MPO) and international operatic singers. You were in fact the youngest Gozitan conductor ever to conduct the National Orchestra of Malta.
Does the Foundation still exist and if so what has it been doing in the last few years?
Yes of course. In fact it is the organiser of the forthcoming concert Puccini 100 - Anniversary Concert. Apart from similar concerts the Foundation organized two successful editions of the Music + Festival and also the first edition of The Gozo Classical Voice Festival and Competition followed by a vocal masterclass by world renowned soprano Barbara Frittoli. Last May it organised two talks on Puccini by eminent musicologist and Puccini expert, Prof Dr. Jurgen Maehder.
Can you tell us a little about the programme to which we are looking forward taking place on 16 November? Please do tell us also from where one can get tickets.
One of the biggest challenges was the selection of the repertoire. It was not an easy task keeping in mind the time limit of 90-minutes or so. Every note Puccini composed deserves a hearing. But I really believe we came up with an arguably adept selection that showcases Puccini's genius. That evening's concert will feature orchestral music, arias and duets from Le Villi, Manon Lescaut, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, La Fanciulla del West, Suor Angelica and Turandot. I have also orchestrated a lesser known composition which was originally written for piano and which will premièred on these islands.
To enhance the artistic level of that evening's performance, the management has engaged two world-renowned artists namely: Italian soprano Erika GrimaIdi and "legendary" tenor Gregory Kunde - both household names at major opera houses around the world. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be under my direction.
Booking is already open from www.teatruastra.org.mt
May I also add that on 10 November at 11am at the Teatru Astra Cultural Hub, the foundation will open officially an exhibition about Puccini - researched and curated by myself. This exhibition will remain open until 23 November 2024. Everyone is invited.
NOW FOR SOME LIGHT QUESTIONS SO WE CAN GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I don't think perfect happiness really exists. However, the most important thing in life is health. You lose your health and you lose everything. We cannot do much without it.
What is it that you most dislike?
Many things but then I like many others, too. I truly dislike dishonest people or those who stab you in the back. Unfortunately particularly in the artistic field this is very common.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting old and losing family members and dear friends.
What is your favourite journey?
Returning back home.
At present, Maestro Debrincat is also the Maestro di cappella at the Gozo Cathedral and Sannat Parish Church.
He has worked with artists such as Norma Fantini, Ignacio Encinas, Francesco Anile, Luciano Ganci, Maria Pia Ionata, Wayne Marshall amongst others.
Debrincat is also associated with a number of premières: Charles Camilleri's Messa in honorem Sta. Margarita V.M. for three Soloists, Choir (S.A.T.B.) and Orchestra and Preghiera Semplice for strings. He has also introduced several compositions to the Maltese public including Puccini's first opera Le Villi, Capricco sinfonico, Preludio a orchestra (1876), and Preludio Sinfonico (1882). Furthermore, he has arranged, orchestrated and edited a considerable number of works for clarinet quartet, windband, orchestra, and other music formations.
He collects recordings (operas and classical music) and owns one of the richest collections in the Maltese islands
In the academic field, Joseph Debrincat is a music teacher, teaching theory of music at the Gozo School of Music - now integrated within the Gozo Visual and Performing Arts School.
Booking for the concert is already open from www.teatruastra.org.mt
