Carmelo Zammit (composer)

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Mro. Carmelo Zammit was one of Malta's most prolific composers of early Maltese pop song and religious hymns.

Carmelo Zammit was born on 16 April 1907. He studied at the Sliema Primary School and at the Garrison Command Army Educational School. He joined the RMA as soldier in 1938. In June 1940, during an air raid, Zammit suffered serious injuries. His six colleagues who were close to him lost their life but Carmelo survived, following 40 days in hospital.

Maestro Zammit was a self-made musician who started composing music at a young age, learning most of his craft playing the piano while serving in the army. He eventually became maestro di cappella at St Paul's Parish Church in Valletta.

He often to team up with Albert M. Cassola, and later work with Carmen Dimech and together write songs for local and foreign song contests. Some of his songs, including Int sang by Enzo Gusman and win the Malta Song Festival at 1966, Għażiża Ommi sang by John Fenech, Il-Ġlieda tan-Nanniet sang by Marbeck Spiteri, Għala Ħallejtni san by Carmen Vella, Ma Niċħdek Qatt sang by Dorian Micallef and Quddiem l-Inkwadru tal-Madonna sang by Gillian Attard are still very popular today. Zammit wrote several band marches too, some of which are still played at local festas.

He was married to Ġuzeppina nee’ Vella and had five children, Joseph, Phyllis, Maria, Stella and Jane. He was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika in 1997. Towards the end of his life he was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Malta Music Awards.

He died on 9 February 2004 at the age of 97.