The Gaulitanus Choir, the organiser of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music, was back on stage for its second event in the festival’s ongoing “GauLive” series. This was held at the Xaghra Basilica on Saturday 2nd October courtesy of the Rev. Archpriest Mgr Carmelo Refalo, who was in attendance.
Entitled “Songs of Praise”, the repertoire was a very particular one: it consisted of several sacred excerpts in the English language, mostly all-time favourites specifically arranged for the Gaulitanus Choir over the years. Most of the arrangements were made by its founder-director Colin Attard, who also conducted the concert, sometimes together with his brother and Gaulitanus Choir accompanist, Stephen Attard, or with his own son Jean Noel.
The first part of the concert presented Sebastian Temple’s “Make me a channel of your peace” (with soprano Antonella Portelli and mezzo-soprano Joanna Pullicino as soloists), Michael Joncas’s “On eagles’s wings” (with soprano soloist Annabelle Zammit), George Bennard’s “The old rugged cross”, “The Easter cross” by former choir member Judy Metters, and William Monk’s “Abide with me” (with soprano soloist Stephanie Portelli).
To give respite to the choir, violinist Pierre Louis Attard, who also performed in all the choral numbers, presented two solo numbers accompanied by his father Colin: Felix Borowski’s “Adoration” (the only work performed in its original version) and Reginald King’s “A prayer at eventide” (as arranged by Pierre Louis himself.
The third section again featured the Gaulitanus Choir. The numbers performed were Bob Dufford “Be not afraid” (with mezzo-soprano soloist Joanna Pullicino), Michael Joncas’s “Take and eat” (with soprano soloist Annabelle Zammit), George Allen’s “Take my hand precious Lord” (with soprano soloist Patricia Buttigieg), the Swedish Traditional “O Lord my God” (with baritone soloist Robert Xerri), and Stephen Adams’s “The holy city” (with soprano soloists Annabelle Zammit, Stephanie Portelli and Patricia Buttigieg)
The rather big audience was extremely warm and receptive and utterly enthused by the repertoire which, pertaining exclusively to the Gaulitanus Choir, made it a rather unique event. “O Lord my God” was provided as an encore, with the audience invited to join in for the final refrain.
The concert was held in collaboration with the Xaghra Local Council – with Mayor Dr Christian Zammit and some councillors in attendance – and the Catenian Association – with the Victoria Circle president David Felice Pace and a good number of circle members in attendance.
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