Camilleri is today recognised as one of the most unique composers of our time. His musical journey has taken him from simple diatonic modal folk melodies to complex yet communicative mature works. In his compositions he makes extensive use of two original concepts: the “atomisation of the beat” and the use of “chaotics”. These techniques can be described as notated structures of improvisation. Born in Hamrun, Camilleri studied at the Lyceum and the University of Toronto, Canada. He was the first Professor of Music at the University of Malta, and France awarded him the title of Chevalier dans l’Ordres des Arts et Lettres, He is also member of the RGPM of the Order of St. John and OUM. Camilleri has composed nearly 300 works and in recent years he has described his music as being “less modern but more contemporary”. At the heart of his music is his belief that “all is one” and he encounters no difficulty in amalgamating the primitive element of folk song to that of the avant-garde. He states that “the past inspires the present for the future”. Camilleri has built a reputation both locally and abroad. His interest in Maltese folk music led to wider scientific research in the music of the Mediterranean littoral, which is reflected in a significant part of his opus. At the age of 16, Camilleri presented a concert of his own works. His works, which included Maltese folk music for the first time, were performed in London and the USA between 1954 and 1959. In 1968 there was an all-Camilleri concert at London’s Festival Hall, and during Japan’s Expo.’70 he premiered his second piano concerto. His Missa Mundi was recorded in 1972 by Decca in London; his third piano was concerto premiered in Leningrad in 1987, whilst his cello concerto had its first performance at the Helsinki Festival. Over 150 of Camilleri’s works have been published by Novello, Boosey & Hawkes, Lengnick and Roberton. UNESCO published his book Mediterranean Music while The Folk Music of Malta is published by the UM. Lengnick published his books on improvisation while over 50 of his compositions are available on CDs. IJl-Weghda was Camilleri’s first opera in Maltese, while his latest, The Maltese Cross premiered in Malta in October 1995. Camilleri was the Artistic Director of the Malta Arts Festival (1993-95), the founder of the Malta International Choir Festival and Artistic Director of the Valletta Festival (1996). This is what he says about his music: “The geometry of my music is an infinite space in which the structure is everywhere and the content nowhere in particular”.
He is married to Doris Vella, and they have a son Charles Junior and a daughter Anya.