The making of a Maltese tenor - Paul Asciak's meteoric career (part one)

Abstract

The artistic career of the Maltese tenor Paul Asciak spans between March 1946 and March 1961, a mere fifteen years, during which his fame soared high like a meteor and then petered out nicely when the artist was still in the prime of life, glorying in the success, which was still being achieved by him where ever he was asked to sing. This notwithstanding Paul Asciak lives in his tape recordings and records, especially in that cut on the initiative, enthusiasm and expense of the renowned Maltese architect Richard England, photographer, poet and writer. It is to be noted that Paul Asciak came face to face with the opera-loving public of Malta on December 8, 1946 at the Radio City Opera House, Mamrun, when Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and I Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo were staged together for the first time in this theatre, under the baton of Maestro Mario Cirillo, who had formed a company of amateurs for this purpose. Paul Asciak was barely 20 years old and although he had an attractive voice, he had still to learn how to use it; his acting lacked polish but all in all, as a debutant, he sang correctly and captivated the admiration of the public, which applauded him warmly.