Beloved Maltese Tenor Paul Asciak to be Celebrated with an Exhibition at Teatru Manoel
The exhibition, which is in collaboration with Heritage Malta, marks the 10th anniversary of Asciak’s death and features a newly conservated costume worn by the late tenor as well as a variety of memorabilia. The exhibition will run at Teatru Manoel from 29 January to the end of February.
Teatru Manoel in collaboration with Heritage Malta have announced the opening of a new exhibition celebrating the life and career of the late Paul Asciak, one of Malta’s most beloved and popular tenors. The exhibition will run at Teatru Manoel from the 29 January to the end of February and features a variety of Asciak’s personal items and memorabilia, as well as a meticulously conservated costume worn by the tenor in 1960.
This costume was worn by Paul Asciak when he performed the role of Otello in Giuseppi Verdi’s opera of the same name. The opera was performed on 18th and 20th July 1960 in Argotti Gardens. In December 2024, Teatru Manoel delivered the costume to Heritage Malta, which consisted of the following elements: a black velvet jacket, cape, and sash, a white sleeveless shirt, two pairs of black woollen stockings, a gold metal chain, a belt, and a pair of boots. The items were carefully removed from the mannequin which was holding them, and taken to the textile lab at Heritage Malta for delicate conservation treatment. All items were surface-cleaned to remove dust particles. During this process, a condition report documenting the state of the items was carried out. Each item was treated with a specialised mould treatment, left to dry, and then given speciality treatments based on the requirements and conditions of the material.
Alongside this unique costume, the exhibition at Teatru Manoel includes photos, souvenir books, and posters from Paul Asciak’s productions, some newspaper cuttings, as well as his make-up box. An additional item that will be on display for the first time is a bust of Paul Asciak, that was donated by his sons to Teatru Manoel.
Teatru Manoel’s Chief Executive Officer Edward Zammit said that this exhibition celebrates the life and career of Maltese tenor Paul Asciak, a tenor that makes us proud to be Maltese. Zammit stated that for Teatru Manoel it was a privilege to embark on this conservation project with the full support of Heritage Malta. He said that for the Theatre, it is truly an honour to be hosting this exhibition that will be showcasing some of the most valuable items of Paul Asciak.
The Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Malta, Noel Zammit stated that Heritage Malta was pleased to collaborate with Teatru Manoel on the conservation of the costume of Maltese tenor Paul Asciak, an initiative that not only honors his contribution to Malta’s cultural heritage but also underscores the importance of collaboration and the sharing of expertise between both entities. Zammit said that by working together, we are converging our resources and skills to ensure the preservation and appreciation of Malta’s artistic legacy for present and future generations.
Paul Asciak was born in Valletta on January 28, 1923. He spent many of his early years singing with the well-known St James Choir from Valletta and made his operatic debut at 23 years old when he portrayed the role of Turrido in Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana at the Radio City Opera House in Ħamrun. Four years later in 1950, he made his Italian debut when he sang the role of Manrico in Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Paul would then go on to lead a short but successful career as a tenor, performing all over Malta and Italy, as well as England, Wales, and Ireland. A notable highlight from Paul’s career is a recording of the role Flavio from Bellini’s Norma alongside the iconic soprano Maria Callas. Paul was also employed by the prestigious Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, where he appeared in over 50 productions. Paul retired from the stage in 1961 – returning briefly to revive the role of Otello at age 66 in Poland – and then became a music educator, even serving as Teatru Manoel’s General Manager between 1988 and 1992.
Paul Asciak passed away in April 2015 leaving behind him a massive legacy, which is celebrated at this exhibition at Teatru Manoel in collaboration with Heritage Malta, as well as the National Archives and D’Amato Music Store.
