Azzopardi, Evaristo - Ave Maria

Azzopardi, Evaristo (2.7.1911 - 5.7.2001)
Violinist
Born in Valletta, Azzopardi was taught music by his father, Edward, a well-known violinist who played at the opera house in Valletta. At the age of 14, Azzopardi started his music career by playing the violin at the cinemas during the silent film era. In 1927 he joined the orchestra at the Royal Opera House with whom he played until the beginning of World War II.
During the war, Azzopardi composed the music for two hymns, Ave Maria and II-Qalb ta Gesu, to lyrics by Ruzar Briffa. He then joined the British Institute Orchestra where he played the violin solo in the Concerto in E major by Bach, conducted by Paolo Nani. Azzopardi played the last opera season at the Knights Hall, where he was privileged to work with such famous artists as the baritone Tito Gobbi.
In 1952 Azzopardi emigrated to Australia and played in more than 40 operas. He worked hard to establish himself as a musician and started teaching guitar, piano accordion, as being a virtuoso on the violin and soon became known in the Australian musical scene as music conductor, teacher, and arranger.
Azzopardi's many compositions include two Oratorios on the Resurrection and the Birth of Christ to lyrics by Manwel Nicholas-Borg. He also composed music for two masses in Italian and six in Maltese. His two most popular songs, 'Angel of Love' and 'Kiss me once and kiss me twice', have been played on Australian television. His latest composition consists of using musical sequences on the computer by micro logic software.
In September 1991 Azzopardi was awarded the Manoel De Vilhena Cultural Award for his contribution to the propagation of Maltese arts and culture in Australia. In his eighties, Azzopardi is still working on Maltese tarantellas and concertinas for the violin. Azzopardi is married to Stella Bruno.
He died on 5/7/2001. From the Obituary in The Age, it can be noted that his wife died in 1993 and that at the time of his death he was survived by 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Source: Maltese Biographies of the Twentieth Century (1997), editors Michael J. Schiavone and Louis J. Scerri

Evaristo Azzopardi (1911-2001) was a Maltese musician and music tutor in Melbourne, Australia.

Early life
Evaristo Azzopardi was born in Valletta and was taught music and violin by his father, a well-known violinist himself. He was an extremely talented violinist as well as a very competent accordionist and pianist. He was also a qualified piano tuner and musical instrument repairer with qualifications from London where he had gone to study at a college of technology. He played at the Royal Opera House and with the British Institute Orchestra.

Life in Australia
In 1952 Azzopardi migrated to Australia. At the Dockyard where he was working, he entertained the workers at lunchtime by playing the piano for them. When the square dancing craze hit Australia, he was very much in demand in the evenings performing at these occasions. He formed a band to play at Maltese dances for those who came from Malta or the Middle East. His band was in demand at Maltese weddings.

He will be remembered as a well-respected teacher of guitar, piano accordion as well as of course the violin. He started his career as a teacher in 1956 and continued until a year before he died. He was particularly popular with the Italian community and many of their children were tutored by him. He formed and conducted choirs, both Maltese and Italian, to perform at various functions. He also organized and performed at concerts for the St Peter Clavier Society at Kew.

His expertise as a musical repairer was appreciated by Suttons who at the time had a great music shop in Melbourne. He was their musical repairer until he retired when he turned 60. He also repaired instruments for other musical shops and musicians.

Music
He was a prolific composer of music and believed that musical knowledge and talent should be challenged. His themes cover a wide range from his love of Our Blessed Lady to his love of his homeland. His works would vary from complicated pieces and their variations to simple melodic tunes, which would then be used to challenge the musician by the variations he composed. He had even started using computer software to create musical compositions. His compositions include:

Oratorio on the Resurrection
Oratorio on the Birth of Christ – both these oratorios are set to lyrics by Manwel Nicholas Borg
Masses: two in Italian and six in Maltese,
Songs: he wrote a number of songs, some of which have been played on Australian television,
Other compositions, including Tarantellas and Concertinas for violin.

Awards and recognitions
Evaristo Azzopardi was awarded the Manoel de Vilhena Award for his contribution to the propagation of Maltese Arts and Culture in Australia (1991).