Be the first to comment!Premiere of the Missa ‘San Carlo Borromeo’ by the Stella Maris Choir
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The ‘Stella Maris’ Choir was invited by Fr. Adedoato Schembri, the new prior of Saint Augustine’s Church in Victoria, to animate the solemn liturgy during which he was officially installed in this position.
The Solemn Mass was celebrated on Thursday evening and was officiated by Rev. Fr. Raymond Francalanza OSA, the Provincial of the Order of Augustinians in Malta. H.L. Bishop Mario Grech assisted from the throne.
For this occasion, the ‘Stella Maris’ Choir, under the direction of Mro. Carmel P. Grech, performed for the first time the ‘Missa San Carlo Borromeo’ arranged for SATB Choir, brass quintet and organ by Mro. Ivan Attard, Assistant Music Director and organist of the same choir.
This mass consisting of the Kyrie, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei was very well received by the audience present and the choir said it received many positive comments following the celebration of Mass.
Other hymns which were performed were ‘Tu Es Sacerdos’ (Bentivoglio), Alleluia & Graduale (Carmel Peter Grech & Ivan Attard), ‘L-Ikel tal-Hajja’ (Gustav Holst – arranged by Ivan Attard), ‘O Lux Beata Trinitas’ (Blofo Lino) and ‘Ave Maria Assumpta’ (arranged for SATB by Dr. John Galea).
After the Holy Communion, the community of Saint Augustine in Victoria presented a number of mementos to the outgoing prior of the same church as a sign of appreciation for the service which he has given to the same community since his installation in the year 2000.
The ‘Missa San Carlo Borromeo’ which is donated exclusively to the Stella Maris Choir by Mro. Ivan Attard will be added to the exhaustive list of repertoire which the Choir possesses and will be performed again on Sunday, the 22nd of June 2014 at the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine on the occasion of the Feast of the Calling of Our Lady to Carmela Grima.
In comments to the congregation present for the social gathering which took place at the convent after the celebration of Holy Mass, Mro. Carmel P. Grech expressed his satisfaction that this work “was performed in a brilliant way by the choir and all the musicians” and thanked all those involved in its performance.
