
Joseph Lia graduated in Music from the University of Malta. Supported by the Janatha Stubbs Foundation, he furthered his vocal training at the famous Rimsky-Korsakov St Petersburg State Conservatoire under the tuition of Prof. Sergei Riazantsev, where he obtained a Masters Degree in Chamber Singing, Opera, and Voice Pedagogy. Joseph read for a Doctorate Degree in Singing and Voice Pedagogy with the support of the MGSS Scholarship.
Joseph started singing in choirs from an early age. He joined the St.Monica choir at the tender age of 10. Later, he joined the St. John’s Cathedral Choir, several choirs of the various Maestri di Cappella around Malta, the Aurora and Astra Opera Houses Choirs, and the Manoel Theatre Choir during the BOV Opera Festival.
During his stay in Russia he was appointed as a member of the judging panel for the Shostakovich Competition (Youth Section Voice and Choirs) 2013, and coached the Gatchina Choir for the 45th Montreux Choir Competition, in which competition the Choir won the prize for the Best Interpretation of the Test Piece.
He is fast making a name for himself, winning competitions both in Russia and Finland, and taking part in opera productions in Italy, Russia and his native Malta. He has performed the main roles of Germont in Verdi's Traviata, Uberto in Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona, Ebn-Haki in Tchaikovsky's Iolantha, Count Almaviva in Mozart's Nozze di Figaro, and Malatesta in Donizetti's Don Pasquale.
Joseph is also an accomplished recitalist, mastering the lieder and oratorio repertoire, earning glowing reports from critics. He took part in several festivals, including the Oper Oder Spree Festival (Germany), Victoria International Arts Festival, Gozo (Malta), Universe of Music (Moscow), Geilo Christmas Festival (Norway), and the Tallin Bach Festival (Estonia).
Last year Joseph appeared under the baton of Michael Laus with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra during the Viva Verdi anniversary concert held at the Manoel Theatre. He sang for the President of Greece and the President of Malta H.E. Dr George Abela at the President's Palace in Valletta, and this year for the President of Malta H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at the St.James Church Piccadilly, London, during Malta's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
Joseph has performed in venues of note, namely the Rachmaninov Hall (Moscow), the St Petersburg State Capella (St.Petersburg), the Glazunov Hall (St.Petersburg), Wiener Saal (Salzburg), Niguliste Cathedral (Tallin), St John's Co-Cathedral (Valletta), Manoel Theatre (Valletta), and others.
He is fond of his native country and seeks to promote Malta and Maltese composers in his recitals in St. Petersburg, Moscow and lately also Rome, with the concert series Musica Melitense
Last year he was nominated by Joseph Calleja to take part in the Mozarteum Summer Academy , and was chosen to take masterclasses with Prof. Kurt Widmer.
Joseph Lia is lectures at the University of Malta, reaches voice and is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Malta International Organ Festival.
Competitions:
· Finalist and given the Diploma for Best Voice of the '2nd Independent International Competition for Opera Performers' (Moscow 2010).
· Winner of the 'Christmas Vocal Competition' (Helsinki 2011) and given the Diploma for best the interpretation of the contemporary Sergei Slonimsky piece from the composer himself, who was part of the jury.
· Winner of the 'From the Russian Silver Age to the New Renaissance' Competition (St Petersburg 2012) and Diploma holder of 'Best Interpretation of the Baroque piece' from the same competition.
· Winner of the competition 'Nominazia' (St.Petersburg 2012)
· Winner of the 3rd Gatchina Romansiada Competition named after I.Schwarz (St Petersburg 2014) in the Professional Category.
Joseph started singing in choirs from an early age. He joined the St.Monica choir at the tender age of 10. Later, he joined the St. John’s Cathedral Choir, several choirs of the various Maestri di Cappella around Malta, the Aurora and Astra Opera Houses Choirs, and the Manoel Theatre Choir during the BOV Opera Festival.
During his stay in Russia he was appointed as a member of the judging panel for the Shostakovich Competition (Youth Section Voice and Choirs) 2013, and coached the Gatchina Choir for the 45th Montreux Choir Competition, in which competition the Choir won the prize for the Best Interpretation of the Test Piece.
He is fast making a name for himself, winning competitions both in Russia and Finland, and taking part in opera productions in Italy, Russia and his native Malta. He has performed the main roles of Germont in Verdi's Traviata, Uberto in Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona, Ebn-Haki in Tchaikovsky's Iolantha, Count Almaviva in Mozart's Nozze di Figaro, and Malatesta in Donizetti's Don Pasquale.
Joseph is also an accomplished recitalist, mastering the lieder and oratorio repertoire, earning glowing reports from critics. He took part in several festivals, including the Oper Oder Spree Festival (Germany), Victoria International Arts Festival, Gozo (Malta), Universe of Music (Moscow), Geilo Christmas Festival (Norway), and the Tallin Bach Festival (Estonia).
Last year Joseph appeared under the baton of Michael Laus with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra during the Viva Verdi anniversary concert held at the Manoel Theatre. He sang for the President of Greece and the President of Malta H.E. Dr George Abela at the President's Palace in Valletta, and this year for the President of Malta H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca at the St.James Church Piccadilly, London, during Malta's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
Joseph has performed in venues of note, namely the Rachmaninov Hall (Moscow), the St Petersburg State Capella (St.Petersburg), the Glazunov Hall (St.Petersburg), Wiener Saal (Salzburg), Niguliste Cathedral (Tallin), St John's Co-Cathedral (Valletta), Manoel Theatre (Valletta), and others.
He is fond of his native country and seeks to promote Malta and Maltese composers in his recitals in St. Petersburg, Moscow and lately also Rome, with the concert series Musica Melitense
Last year he was nominated by Joseph Calleja to take part in the Mozarteum Summer Academy , and was chosen to take masterclasses with Prof. Kurt Widmer.
Joseph Lia is lectures at the University of Malta, reaches voice and is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Malta International Organ Festival.
Competitions:
· Finalist and given the Diploma for Best Voice of the '2nd Independent International Competition for Opera Performers' (Moscow 2010).
· Winner of the 'Christmas Vocal Competition' (Helsinki 2011) and given the Diploma for best the interpretation of the contemporary Sergei Slonimsky piece from the composer himself, who was part of the jury.
· Winner of the 'From the Russian Silver Age to the New Renaissance' Competition (St Petersburg 2012) and Diploma holder of 'Best Interpretation of the Baroque piece' from the same competition.
· Winner of the competition 'Nominazia' (St.Petersburg 2012)
· Winner of the 3rd Gatchina Romansiada Competition named after I.Schwarz (St Petersburg 2014) in the Professional Category.