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Maria Muscat is a well known face to most in Malta – a journalist and newscaster on Super One and a soprano to boot. Muscat, known as il-Barokka followed in her father’s footsteps musically and has a passion for inspiring people through her deeds. She has a spiritual streak and wants to help those that are poor and downtrodden, and especially has the desire to relieve the pain that others might feel.
What inspired you to take up singing seriously, were there any family influences?
I must admit that I started singing at a very young age as a joke at school. We were singing Christmas carols and to make the children laugh I started singing with an operatic voice. “We wish you a happy christmas,” and I succeeded because in seconds, hundreds of children burst out laughing. Then a school teacher encouraged me to start singing lessons and I took it as a joke!
When I was about to leave Junior Lyceum, our school performed the musical Phantom of the Opera, and I took part in it as the scary Phantom. I must admit that the opportunity led to me take music for serious and just before I started studying for A Levels, I started vocal training at the School of Music. As for family influences…yes, my father Mario was a tenor and he used to be coached by a master called Nani....my mother although never a singer, loves music very much and all my family support my singing ambitions...
You are also a journalist, how do you balance out the two careers?
Both singing and journalism are a way how to communicate a message, but I prefer singing because I communicate straight to people’s hearts and emotions. I love journalism a lot, but if I had to choose I will definitely go for singing. Journalism is also a way to voice people’s pain and frustration and I feel very comfortable in defending minorities, especially when I interview people with high authority. Singing though is much nicer, is smoother and more mellow, while journalism at times can be quite tough, and one have to be very strong especially when criticised or put under a lot of pressure.
What do you think can be done by the authorities to improve the popularity of cultural events in Malta?
Well more sponsorship is needed, and artists like myself should be given more financial support. There are several artists in various sectors that can’t afford to organise shows, simply because financial support is very low. Apart from that I believe that in Malta, the Government should get more professional tutors. In my sector, that is classical and opera singing, you can hardly find a good tutor. The ones that are available are very, very few, and we do need advanced training. I always wanted a professional tutor who can also help me push forward my career abroad, on a higher level. But all in all, I never blame anyone for my success or failure. I believe that in life there are no limits and it depends on one’s strength and determination. Thanks to God I have that and I will never stop trying harder.
Do you aim mostly to entertain or is it a sense of artistic expression that is important?
Well both I’d rather aim so that through my artistic expression I can connect with people’s hearts. In some way that is another form of entertainment too, especially if you can ease people’s pain. Singing is a way how to break the ice, to melt the iron walls and masks. It’s a way how to understand people’s pains and the great need of love. The main problems in this world are created by lack of love and although human beings falter we can always try harder and love even if not loved so much in return. Singing is a message of love and passion and that is why I am in love with it. When I am home, usually by myself, I do tend to sing even when in pain it helps me to understand more my true inner self.
What kind of music do you most listen to and most enjoy singing?
Well I love opera music, but to be very honest with you, I love listening to good RnB music. I listen to it when I go home. I either play a CD or switch on my TV to MTV Base. There are some good artists like Kanye West who in my opinion is very artistic and innovative. I even like RnB dancers and am a fan of Beyoncee Knowles. She is a great artist and up until now she presents herself as a very humble and spiritual person. She was a gospel singer and maybe that is why I am in love with her music. I do love listening to Sarah Brightman’s new innovative albums and Andrea Bocelli, but lately I am more into the new music coming out especially when artists do their utmost to be different and maybe also eccentric. For this reason I also like Gloria Estefan. She’s never shy to voice her way of thinking and the percussion sounds in her albums are definitely one of the best.
Singers are often expected to be outgoing if not eccentric personalities what can you tell us about yourself?
Well, I am not shy to say that I am ‘mad’ and I do go beyond the limit especially if I want to love, cherish and make people happy. Am also very sensitive and get hurt easily. But being eccentric can be quite interesting. Making life more colourful, bubbly, ‘crazy,’ and full of rhythm.
I really like the fact that I do fit in this kind of world. The main reason why my stage name is La Barokka is because, as my friends describe me, I am Baroque, another word for Dramatic. I am a bit of a drama Queen sometimes and I really do love make people laugh. I’ve been like that since childhood. In class I was renowned as the Clown, but I really don’t mind that.
I like changing atmospheres especially when in a boring one. I love putting some colour, some honey taste. Life is too short, I hate living in darkness.
Can you tell us what you are expecting from your upcoming concert?
My upcoming concert ‘La Barokka’, is a world of various colours, talent, expression, where with so many artists I am going to perform some of the best pieces of music. This time I will have several different types of music like Flamenco dancing while I sing ‘Habanera’ from Carmen. I have African Dancers for some songs with an African rhythm. I also have il-Budaj, Frans Baldacchino, the Folk Singer with whom I am going to perform a very special Maltese song. I want to connect with all those who attend, promising a very unique night of beauty, harmony and fun. I am going to perform also Gospel music to say ‘thank you’ to God for loving me so much.
What were the high and low points of your career?
The high points were when I gave concerts especially for ex President Guido Demarco in his Palace at San Anton. That was nice. Guido Demarco is a very nice person one of the few that he meant when he told me “Prosit.” Another high point was when I sung Andrea’s Bocelli, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’ on Xarabank, that was ages ago, but I can never forget the emotions expressed by the audience. I must say that Maltese people are very supportive and I am very thankful for that. As for low points in my career, these where when I suffered from a lot of voice problems. I feel very weak when I can’t sing. Without my voice I feel very low because without it I can’t express my heart and soul. But thankfully I am ok now - there was a point in my life when I though I was going to lose my voice. That is quite scary..!!
Do you have plans for after your concert next month?
Yes, after this concert, I want to organise a full Gospel Concert, with Gospel choirs from abroad. I want to rock spirituality a little bit - we need it. Jesus Christ is alive and I want more people to know that. Apart from that, after this concert there are my dreams. One of them is very near: that of going to the UK to study singing. And a dream to release a new fantastic song, plus dreaming also to sing in an international concert. I never stop dreaming. Through dreams, thanks to God, I did achieve some realities and sometimes it’s nice to live in fantasy land - it makes my life a bit more tastier and sweeter.
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