This year the Circolo Gozitano is commemorating the100th Anniversary from its foundation in 1913 as an entity to promote Gozo’s and Gozitan interests. These celebrations culminated in a grand concert of Operatic Music by the Gozo Choir, Chorus Urbanus, which took place in Independence Square

The Choir, under the direction of Mro Dr John Galea performed an entertaining selection of famous and popular operatic music with a strong element of music by Giuseppe Verdi. The programme opened with Barcaruola from L’Elisir d’Amor by Donizetti with the participation of soloists Noel Galea (b) and Yvonne Galea (s) accompanied by the choir. Another Donizetti piece was the famous chorus Per Te D’Immenso Giubilo from Lucia di Lammermoor with the participation of soloist Mario Portelli (t).

The first part of the concert ended with Mozart’s Bella Vita Militar from the comic opera Cosi Fan Tutte with the participation of soloists Noel Galea (b), Charles Buttigieg (b), Mario Portelli (t), Yvonne Galea (s) and Hilda Grima (a).

The remaining part of the concert was, as expected, almost entirely dedicated to music by Verdi on the occasion of the Verdian centenary celebrations. O Signore del Tetto Natio from I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata and Patria Oppressa from Macbeth were two sublime pieces by Chorus Urbanus that are fine examples of the strong patriotic element in Verdi’s music. The Coro dei Gitani from Il Trovatore and La Vergine degli Angeli from La Forza del Destino are two pieces that always go down well with audiences. The latter piece was performed by Yvonne Galea (s) accompanied by the male section of the choir.

The programme included two solo pieces, Sul Labbro de Veggenti from Nabucco sung by Noel Galea and the popular O Mio Babbino Caro from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, exquisitely sung by Yvonne Galea.

This very well-attended concert ended with two famous choruses, the first from Bellini’s opera Norma, the grandiose Norma Viene and with perhaps the most famous chorus of all operatic music, Verdi’s Va Pensiero from Nabucco.

Throughout the concert, the choir was accompanied by pianist Maria-Elena Farrugia.

At the end of the concert, Dr Alfred Grech, President of the Circolo Gozitana delivered a commemorative speech outlining the salient milestones in the Circolo’s chequered history throughout its 100 years of existence.

The concert was presided by the Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, other Members of Parliament and various distinguished guests including members of the Circolo Gozitano.

As part of the celebrations, President George Abela will visit the Circolo Gozitano premises on Monday at 7.30pm, where he will unveil a commemorative plaque marking the 100th anniversary since its foundation.

Dr Abela will also inaugurate an exhibition of artistic works by local artist Denis Monpalao.

Photo by John Cordina shows Frank Masini Vento (Treasurer), Dr Michael Portelli M.D. (Vice President), Mr. Joseph Masini (Secretary) and Dr Alfred Grech LL.D (President) with Mr. Luis Avides Moreira, Director of Banif Bank Malta plc., one of the main sponsors of the events marking the hundredth anniversary from the foundation of the Circolo Gozitano.

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