Following two very successful virtual series, the ‘abnormal’ 14th edition of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music is being brought to an end with a series of live public events in Gozo. In full compliance with the health and safety regulations issued by the health authorities, “GauLive” is being scheduled between September 10 and October 9, and intends to give some much-needed breath to live yet safe performing.
This series opens on Friday, September 10, with a quite atypical concert at the Ministry for Gozo’s Courtyard. Entitled “Nostalġija”, this features the Gaulitanus Choir, its soprano soloists, Anna Bonello, Patricia Buttigieg, Stephanie Portelli and Annabelle Zammit, violinist Pierre Louis Attard and pianist Milica Lawrence in a number of Maltese compositions ingrained in local traditions. Amongst others, these include Joseph Vella’s “Rapsodija Maltija”, Stephen Attard’s “Żewġ Għanjiet minn Għawdex”, Charles Camilleri’s “Hames Kanti Popolari” and Carmelo Pace’s very well-known “L-Imnarja”.
The second concert is a world-class event. Internationally-renowned musician Wayne Marshall will be giving a much-expected organ recital in Gozo for the first time. This will be held at the Xewkija Rotunda on Saturday, September 18, during which Marshall presents some French romantic music as well as organ improvisations, for which he is highly-renowned.
A week later, Friday 24, sees the Armed Forces of Malta Band returning to Gozo for a public concert. Under the direction of Captain Jonathan Borg, they will present a very varied open-air concert, again at the Ministry for Gozo’s Courtyard.
The Gaulitanus Choir itself is back on Saturday October 2 with a wholly choral concert of sacred music, “Songs of Praise”. The occasion is a unique one as the choir will be interpreting a number of sacred excerpts in the English language specifically arranged for the choir (mostly by its founder-director Colin Attard) over the years and, so far, interpreted only by the Gaulitanus Choir.
The last week of the festival then features two concerts, both linked with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Flutist Rebecca Hall, oboist John McDonough, and harpist Britt Amend – all principals at the MPO – team up for “Masterpieces in Miniature”, on Tuesday, October 5, at St Anthony of Padua Church, Ghajnsielem. The full orchestra will then perform in the symphonic finale on Saturday, October 9. The latter, being held at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, will be the MPO’s first full-scale appearance in Gozo since 2019. Conducted by Gaulitana artistic director, Colin Attard, this will be a commemoration of Beethoven 250th birth celebrations, albeit a forcibly belated one. The main work will be the majestic Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”. This will also provide a fitting tribute to all who has played their part during the past extremely challenging year and a half. Not least, it will be a most fitting close to a 14th edition of “Gaulitana: A Festival of Music”, which, despite all odds and let downs, has heroically and stoically made sure not to miss being very present in 2021.
All concerts start at 20.00hrs, and will be in full compliance with health protocols.
Entrance is free, with donations welcomed. The limited seating is available strictly by reservation – with pertinent contact tracing details provided – on bookings.gaulitana@gmail.com.
Further information on each concert will be posted on the facebook page Gaulitana: A Festival of Music and www.gaulitanus.com.
Gaulitana: A Festival of Music is principally supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Programme of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo.
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It is so good to see Gaulitanus providing such a wonderful array of live events after all the difficulties of the past months. I only wish that I could be with you to be involved and enjoy the various experiences. Best wishes to everyone and congratulations. Terry Shaw