Sunday morning was a free one. The choir’s meeting was scheduled for 2pm at the Rudolfsheim Catholic Church (Mary, Queen of Martyrs Church) in the city’s 15th district, where the Gaulitanus, the Persephone and the TU Orchestra were to give their second Advent concert. This was again co-ordinated by Persephone and organised in collaboration with the cultural association “Kulturkreis 15“, within the framework of the Rudolfsheimer Advent.
A very exciting welcoming prelude to the concert was given by the Breitenfurter Weisenbläser (a traditional Austrian horn ensemble) coming from the southern part of Vienna. After this, the affable pastor Rev. Martin Rupprecht introduced the concert, entitled “Weihnachten nah und fern” (“Christmas Near and Far”), and welcomed all the participants – from near and far!
The first part of the concert, directed by David Salazar, was similar to that given the preceding day at St Peter’s. Colin Attard then took over for the second part. This started with violinist Pierre Louis Attard performing once more Colin’s ‘Christmas Fantasia’ with the TU Orchestra. Both choirs then joined the orchestra for Colin Attard’s arrangement of the medley ‘A Christmas Chorale’. After this, Mro Attard presented the Persephone’s official who co-ordinated these joint concerts, Petra Pilcher, as well as musical director David Salazar with mementos. The concert was brought to a very enjoyable ending with an exquisite Maltese touch, Attard’s own ‘Ninni … Ninni’ (with the solo lines delivered by sopranos Anna Bonello, and Annabelle Zammit, tenor Joseph Calleja and baritone Paul Scicluna). This was enthusiastically received by the big audience which made it to the concert. A standing ovation followed and an encore (‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’) was given.
After the concert all the participants were hosted to refreshments at the parish’s hall. Joined by several members of the community, this enhanced the feel-good atmosphere. Of course, mulled wine and Viennese delicacies were the order of the day! The late evening was then a free one for all – during which one could experience the unique feeling of a city lit up for Yuletide and visit the Christmas markets which filled up every open space!
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