World-renowned opera singer Joseph Calleja will be performing in Barbados this weekend.
The Maltese –born lyric tenor and Grammy-nominated artist who has been termed the next Pavarotti by some critics in the world of classical music, will appear on stage at the Frank Collymore Hall tomorrow in the 2026 All Stars Festival.
Sharing the stage will be rising Barbadian opera singers Nathan Richards tenor and soprano Shantal Martin. With them will be British soprano and comedian Melinda Hughes, the brains behind the festival and their mentor.
Hughes first visited Barbados in 2014 to sing at the now defunct Holders Festival. After Holders ended, she curated the Cobblers Live Series at Cobblers Cove Hotel for four years and also hosted a stream of international and local artists, including Arturo Tappin and Martin.
In 2021 she created the non-profit organisation Speightstown Allstars, a company promoting collaboration between Barbadian musicians and visiting performers.
Calleja is perhaps the most high-profile artist to date whom Hughes has managed to attract to perform at the March 14 to 28 All Stars Festival. Also slated to join him on stage, is American baritone Mark S. Doss. They will be accompanied by Italian conductor Gianluca Marciano.
