Renowned Maltese soprano and vocal teacher Antoinette Miggiani dies aged 88

Renowned Maltese soprano and respected vocal teacher Antoinette Miggiani has died at the age of 88, bringing to a close a distinguished career that saw her perform on some of the world's most prestigious stages before dedicating herself to nurturing generations of local singers.Born in Sliema in 1937, Miggiani studied piano and singing in Malta before winning a British Council scholarship to attend the Royal Academy of Music in London in 1958. Her talent earned her the First Prize in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society's International Competition for Singers, leading to a contract with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, for the 1961-62 seasons.During the 1960s, she performed extensively in Britain, France, Germany and Italy, while also appearing regularly in Malta. Among her notable performances were the roles of Leonora in La forza del destino and Santuzza in Cavalleria rusticana at the Manoel Theatre, as well as a Royal Gala Performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1967.Her international career ended prematurely in 1970 when she returned permanently to Malta to care for her ailing parents. She continued performing locally and became one of Malta's most respected singing teachers.Miggiani was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika in 1991. Her funeral will be held on 1 July at Stella Maris Church in Sliema.