The Gaulitanus Choir pays homage to the memory of Gozo-born composer and conductor Joseph Vella who passed away unexpectedly last Sunday.
Profs Vella, was a leading figure, in multiple roles, in the development of music and cultural institutions in Malta and Gozo. Working tirelessly in musical circles as from the late 1950s till his very last hours, his compositions have been performed in several continents.
The choir is one of the several musical groups who have performed some works from his extensive oeuvre. Two of his rarely-performed works have last been interpreted by Gaulitanus: the cantata Il-Barri, presented locally and in the UK, and more recently, the Credo from the Messa Papa Giovanni XXIII, featured during a concert as part of Gaulitana: A Festival of Music.
The Gaulitanus Choir offers its warmest condolences to Mro Vella’s family – including nephews Colin and Stephen Attard, our founder-director and resident accompanist respectively. Sympathy is extended to the institutions where he still held office, St George’s Basilica, La Stella Philharmonic Society and Victoria International Arts Festival.
May his musical legacy play on while we join the celestial choirs in his rousing setting of the Credo´s finale: “et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen”.
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