On commemorating the 15th anniversary since its foundation, Schola Cantorum Jubilate toured Venice and Padova between the 30th of October and the 4th of November.

This was the fifth experience abroad for the choir. Previous ones include tours in Bastia, Corsica (2003), in Rome and Assisi (2007), Vienna, Linz and Salzburg (2009) and the forth one in the Brittany Region in France (2012). While in the Veneto, a northeastern Italian region bordering the Dolomite mountains and the Adriatic Sea, the choir stayed in the heart of Venice, where most of the performances were set. The first Mass and concert were held at the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari where apart from Tiziano's masterpiece of the Assumption, there is also Monteverdi's tomb.

The other Mass was held at the magnificent Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mark on Sunday at noon. Later, on Tuesday, the choir held a concert at Santa Maria della Pieta' Church which is also known as Vivaldi's Church and in which concerts are held every day. On Monday, the group visited Padova, where the choir was given a warm welcome by the Franciscans at the Basilica of St. Anthony and after animating the liturgy, it visited the reliquary of St. Anthony and the splendid cloisters which surround the complex.

Following the musical appointment in Padova, the day continued with a recreational visit at Sirmione, a peninsula on the Garda Lake.

The repertoire presented by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate during this tour included pieces by masters of the sacred polyphony such as Palestrina, Tallis, Byrd and Bartolucci. Other pieces were by Maltese composers, Giuseppe Caruana and Paul Portelli and by Venetians – Gabrieli and Monteverdi.

The choir was under the direction of Marouska Attard and John Anthony Fsadni accompanied on the various prestigious organs adorning the Basilicas.

The Schola Cantorum Jubilate said that its choristers undoubtedly gained a remarkable experience for having performed in such prominent venues and landmarks. The audiences present for all the functions were very welcoming, appreciative and interested in knowing more about Malta. In fact various brochures featuring the Maltese Islands were distributed during each event.

Apart from all the musical commitments, the group had the opportunity to visit interesting and historical places among which was La Fenice, the operatic theatre.

This tour was under the distinguished patronage of the Embassy of Malta in Rome and with the collaboration of the Malta Tourism Authority.

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