Monday, November 03, 2008

Manoel Theatre ' Teatru Manoel' - No. 2






Oreste Chircop (1923-1998)
Oreste Kirkop was born in Hamrun, Malta on the 26th day of July 1923.
He made his operatic debut in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Radio City Opera House. For the next five years, he appeared in some 60 leading tenor roles. Between 1954 and 1958 he was the principal tenor at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, London. In 1953, he was chosen by the BBC to represent Malta for the "Coronation Commonwealth Gala".
In 1956 he performed the title role in Hollywood's Musical film THE VAGABOND KING.
His performances were given in various big theatres and huge auditoriums where thousands of people could hear him sing for them, live on stage. He was also the principal tenor in the first Rigoletto on T.V. in America in February 1958.
After his successful career, always in leading tenor roles, he retired in Malta in 1960 where he passed away on the 10th day of May 1998.


I will try and get some photos of the theatre soon :) .

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Your historic narrations and the photos are great, thank you.

PeterParis said...

Thanks for this very complete info (the txo posts)! Yes, I can see that we are getting closer to see also the interior! Tomorrow?

(I opened YouTube to listen also to the voice.)

Dina said...

Herman, glad you are enjoying these posts.

Peter, I'm afraid photos from the inside will take longer. My family and I are going to a musical on the 16th Nov. So most probably will be after that day unless I find some photos elsewhere.

marie6 said...

The theatre looks magnificent, am looking forward to our visit for the musical. Shame on me, it will be my first time at the theatre. Not sure if maybe we went there on a school outing but I don't think so.

Isabel said...

Very beautiful indeed!

Webradio said...

Great text for narration... And beautiful photos...

Great post !

Jilly said...

Fabulous series of photographs. He looks like a 1930's film star! Fascinating commentary too.

Alifan said...

Loving all the history as always Dina, and the mention of Hamrun obviously made memories flood back....just up the road from Zerafa Street spent a lot of time there..... there was a picture house there wonder if it still is?

Unknown said...

Great patio! I like those massive looking walls.

Anonymous said...

Hello Dina.
Nice to see 'dull' Hamrun recognised. Been away for almost half a century. Enough to bring a tear to my eyes. You see, Oreste was considerably older than I was but he was a contemporary of my brother-in-law. Oreste was a neighbour and I remember as a boy having to stand up to see his film - seats just went and the Trianon Cinema management that some people could come in and stand at the back upstairs. I was small but sat on a stone bench'wall recess and looked over people's shoulders. Feels like it was yesterday.
Joe Xuereb (ex-Brighella Street).

Anonymous said...

Hello Dina.
Nice to see 'dull' Hamrun recognised. Been away for almost half a century. Enough to bring a tear to my eyes. You see, Oreste was considerably older than I was but he was a contemporary of my brother-in-law. Oreste was a neighbour and I remember as a boy having to stand up to see his film - seats just went and the Trianon Cinema management that some people could come in and stand at the back upstairs. I was small but sat on a stone bench'wall recess and looked over people's shoulders. Feels like it was yesterday.
Joe Xuereb (ex-Brighella Street).

Unknown said...

Hello Dina.
Nice to see 'dull' Hamrun recognised. Been away for almost half a century. Enough to bring a tear to my eyes. You see, Oreste was considerably older than I was but he was a contemporary of my brother-in-law. Oreste was a neighbour and I remember as a boy having to stand up to see his film - seats just went and the Trianon Cinema management that some people could come in and stand at the back upstairs. I was small but sat on a stone bench'wall recess and looked over people's shoulders. Feels like it was yesterday.
Joe Xuereb (ex-Brighella Street).