’ Gaulitana: A Festival of Music was the subject of a letter written by Etelka Volter a Hungarian residing in Gozo, which appeared in the Times of Malta on the 19th of May, 2010.

Music brings people together… on Gozo

Etelka Volter, Victoria

The Chamber Saxophone Quartet

Living in Gozo from time to time for eight months has made me aware of the high number of different cultural events which are organised on this small island. At Christmastime and Eastertime several good concerts are produced, nearly every day.

Since I have been on the island, I have witnessed that Gozo has very good choirs and generally music plays an important role in the everyday life of Gozitan people. But such a large-scale series of concerts as Gaulitana: A Festival of Music surpassed all that I could imagine.

Colin Attard is the heart and soul of this festival. As his Gaulitanus Choir celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the festival organised by the choir has arrived in its fourth edition. Anyone who ever tried to organise some cultural event knows what an effort it needs to organise a concert. So imagine not one, but 11 concerts in a month! Notwithstanding the limited resources, the programme was definitely very varied. We could enjoy the choir itself, its soloists, instrumental solos, duo and quartets and vocal recitals. The performers were not only important overseas artistes but also – and this is noteworthy – young and gifted musicians from Gozo and Malta who were given the opportunity to show their talents.

Of course unforeseen circumstances can always crop up, as was the case this time too. Indeed one of the foreign artistes due to give a vocal recital was taken ill. In such circumstances the concert would usually be cancelled. But not here! Literally in a few hours (and I can’t imagine how!) an alternative concert, itself of a good standard, was organised.

I also liked the different venues used: churches, halls and an open-air alley in various localities in Gozo (except for one in Malta). But what really amazed me was the fact that, in most cases, the venues were full of people, sometimes even over packed. In fact music still brings people together!

I hope that such people devoted to music will be given the support of the musical public in the future too. Thank you for the unforgettable experience!