American-Canadian Soprano Madison Montambault takes us to Valletta, Malta, where she has just completed filming for Opera on the Avalon‘s Tapestry Project. This digital project celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Newfoundland and Labrador by highlighting a diverse array of remarkable women who have shaped the province’s history. Madison is portraying Georgina Stirling, Newfoundland’s first international opera singer and prima donna.
This season, Madison joins Opera on the Avalon as part of their Emerging Artists Program where, along with working on the Tapestry Project, she will premiere Juliana Hall’s new chamber monodrama, Marguerite. Past season highlights include engagements with Edmonton Opera, Dayton Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Detroit Opera Theatre and Kerrytown Concert House.
While in Valletta, Madison shares the history of the opera house, her favourite restaurant and the unique architecture of Malta. Read on to find out more.
City where you’re working?
We were working in Valletta, which is the capital of Malta.
How long are you working on contract?
While shooting for the entire Tapestry Project has occurred at several European locations over the last few weeks (including the Cotswolds in the UK, and Rome and Sicily in Italy), we were in Valletta for a week shooting operatic content at the Teatru Manoel (Europe’s 3rd oldest operating opera house) as well as in the city of Mdina, also known as the Silent City, which was Malta’s former capital.
What’s the opera house like?
The opera house is amazing! The acoustics are fabulous and the entire building has such rich history. It is the third oldest operating opera house in Europe and served as an emergency refuge/accommodation for victims of the constant bombings.
Where is the most peaceful place in the city?
I would say the most peaceful place we visited was Mdina, it was so quiet and tranquil, even though when we were shooting there it was busy with tourists. The city was built within an ancient fortress and is over 4,000 years old. Additionally, the streets of Valletta become quickly deserted after 8 or 9 pm and are extremely peaceful to walk through.
Best coffee or tea?
The best coffee I had while in Valletta was the traditional kafé imsajjar, which is a fresh ground/brewed coffee infused with different spices.
Coolest bar or restaurant you’ve been to?
One of my favorite restaurants we went to in Valletta was the Beefbar, which was inside of the beautiful Phoenicia Hotel. The menu was unbelievable.
Is there something unexpected that happens locally that you discovered?
Something that happened the week we were in town was Malta’s annual International Fireworks Festival, which brings together pyrotechnic professionals from all over the world. They compete and are adjudicated in multiple categories. It is a three-day event that happens in April each year.
How did you find accommodation?
Accommodations were set up through Opera on the Avalon. The hotel we stayed in was beautiful and right next door to the second (there used to be two opera houses in Valletta) opera house, Teatru Rjal. Teatru Rjal received a direct hit from aerial bombing in 1942 during World War Two. Prior to its destruction, it was one of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Valletta. After several abandoned plans to rebuild the theatre, the ruins were eventually redesigned and it once again started functioning as an outdoor performance venue.
What’s the most important thing you think of when it comes to finding accommodation as a singer?
I think the most important things when searching for accommodations are the following:
– How far is the accommodation from the theatre and is it walkable?
– Is there a designated place that can be used in the accommodation for warming up?
– Does the accommodation have a workout/fitness facility to help warm up the body and the voice prior to working at the opera house?
– How far away is the accommodation from grocery stores and restaurants?
Have you had a chance to explore some galleries or museums?
Walking through the streets or both Valletta and Mdina are as if you are walking through a living museum. The architecture is incredibly fascinating and features an architectural fusion from medieval and Baroque influences with some elements of Byzantine and Arab architectural traditions. One of my favorite things about Malta is their tradition of the colorful doors and ornate door knockers. The rumor is that in medieval Malta, visitors would scratch the doors of their hosts to let them know they had arrived at the residence. Eventually, this morphed into a knock, which then introduced the door knockers. Over time, the door knockers quickly became a symbol of wealth and status and are intricate, unique and very expressive.
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© Madison Montambault
At the opera house
© Photo used with permission from the artist
In costume as Georgina Stirling
© Photo used with permission from the artist
Behind the scenes of the Tapestry Project
© Photo used with permission from the artist
The cast and crew of the Tapestry Project
Tapestry Project
Opera on the Avalon
2025
Opera on the Avalon proudly presents “Tapestry”, an ambitious digital project anchoring our 2025 season. This initiative celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in Newfoundland and Labrador by highlighting a diverse array of remarkable women who have shaped our province’s history. From pioneering business leaders to trailblazers in education, music, social justice, and the arts, “Tapestry” explores the achievements of women who have woven themselves into Newfoundland and Labrador’s cultural and historical fabric. The project will blend artistic performances with in-depth interviews to bring stories to life, ensuring a rich, multifaceted representation.
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Máiri Demings is Opera Canada’s digital content specialist. She’s also a mezzo-soprano who has sung with Tapestry Opera, performs regularly with VOICEBOX: Opera in Concert and Toronto Operetta Theatre, and is one half of duo mezzopiano with pianist Zain Solinski.
