Joseph Calleja, the Maltese tenor, is recognized as one of the most acclaimed and versatile voices on today’s operatic stage. Admired for the warmth and elegance of his singing, his distinctive timbre has often been compared to the great singers of the past.
Born in Malta in 1978, Calleja began singing at 16 and made his operatic debut at 19 as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth. Early successes in competitions – including winning the 1998 Caruso Competition in Milan and being a prizewinner in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia in 1999 – launched his international career. Since then, he has appeared at many of the world’s foremost opera houses and concert venues, among them the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and Bayerische Staatsoper.
In the 2025/26 season, Calleja returns to the Hamburg State Opera as Mario Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca in Robert Carsen’s staging under the baton of Giampaolo Bisanti. At Oper Frankfurt, he appears as Don José in Barrie Kosky’s celebrated production of Carmen, conducted by Jader Bignamini. Later in the season he embarks on an extensive tour with the Orchestra and Chorus of Opernhaus Zürich under Gianandrea Noseda, presenting Verdi’s Requiem in Paris, Luxembourg, Munich, Vienna, Aix-en-Provence, and Hamburg. On the recital stage, he performs with pianist Sarah Tysman at the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest and at Oper Frankfurt. Additional highlights include a gala concert at Tivoli in Copenhagen and an appearance with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra in Vilnius.
Calleja’s concert career has brought him to some of the most prestigious international stages and occasions, including the Nobel Prize Concert, the BBC Proms, and private performances for Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. His discography has also been met with acclaim, with his portrayal of Alfredo in La traviata earning him a Grammy nomination.
Beyond the opera stage, Calleja appeared in Hollywood in 2014 opposite Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix in The Immigrant, portraying Enrico Caruso. He also serves as Malta’s cultural ambassador and is the founder of the BOV Joseph Calleja Foundation, which supports children and families in need.
