I Pagliacci

Yesterday an important cultural event was held at Astra theatre in Gozo – we had three operas in one night. The performance was superb and our local talent mixed with the foreign really rendered the event sublime. Well done to Maestro Joe Vella who gifted us with a unique arrangement for three operas in one event. Very well done indeed.

My favourite one was I Pagliacci of Leoncavallo and the main role is that of clown, Canio,  who in spite of being thorn and devastated must put on a smiling face and run the show. This brought to my mind a recent phrase which our Prim Minister uttered very recently while addressing a PN activity. He urged his followers to keep their smiles. Well it is quite a natural consequence to urge Nationalist to do so because otherwise they would not have the opportunity to ware us with their new dentures.

But as on stage last night, parading a smile does not really mean being genuinely happy and satisfied. Our Prim Minister may try to vaunt his charteristic smile, but come on, we all know that he has nothing to smile about. The country is in tatters and he who pretends that all is well is putting up a show like clown Canio did in the opera.

Dr Sant last Wednesday gave a true picture of what really is going on – something which Prime Minister Gonzi & co can never do from their pedestals. I was not impressed when Prime Minister mentioned two cases he encountered which encouraged him to do some minor changes – I meet people all the time from all walks of life with a variety of problems and try to solve these problems for them. If Prime Minsiter Gonzi were really genuine the budget we were just presented would have been more humane but we had nothing of the sort.

And as the opera says: ‘La commedia e` finita’ and people know that!