As part of the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Holy image of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu that is devoutly revered in Gozo, composer and musical director of Chorus Urbanus, Dr John Galea, was commissioned by Rev. Fr Gerard Buhagiar, Rector of Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary to set the Akathistos hymn to music, to be performed during this 4th centenary year.

Chorus Urbanus said that the Akathistos is the most beautiful hymn by which the Byzantine Church celebrates the divine motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, solemnly proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D.

It celebrates the Virgin’s role in the mystery of the Incarnation. Over the years, this hymn has been adopted by the Roman Catholic Church and is nowadays considered as important as the Blessed prayer of the Holy Rosary.

The hymn was translated into Maltese by the late Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Nicholas J. Cauchi, so that it could be better appreciated by local congregations.

Tomorrow, Sunday, the 18th of August, the hymn Akathistos will also be concluding the Marian Year which has been held throughout the Gozo Diocese, with a performance on the Ta Pinu Church Parvis, starting at 8.30pm.

This new composition involves the participation of a number of seasoned soloists from Chorus Urbanus, a vocal quartet, as well as the full engagement of Chorus Urbanus and the Urbanus Junior Choir.

They will be accompanied by an orchestral ensemble under the direction of the composer and musical director of Chorus Urbanus, Dr John Galea. The Juniors will be under the direction of Ms Maureen Zerafa.

This world premiere of John Galea’s latest work will feature soloists Yvonne Galea (s.), Ruth Portelli (s.), Antonella Rapa (s.), Hilda Grima (m.s.), Charles Buttigieg (br.), Fabian Galea (ten.), Noel Galea (b.)and Joseph Aquilina (ten.).

The SATB vocal quartet features Marvic Baldacchino, Antoinette Gambin Camilleri, Joseph Camilleri and Ivan Vella. The 21-piece Orchestra will be led by David Lang, while Jamie Camilleri is producing the event.

The performance will be conducted by Dr John Galea and Chorus Urbanus said it is expected to be patronised by the Bishop of Gozo Mgr Mario Grech and the Bishop of Arequipa, Peru Mgr Giovanni Cefai MSSP.

Everyone is invited to join them for this special occasion, entrance is free of charge.

Permalink: Premiere of Akathistos – a Marian hymn at Ta’ Pinu on Sunday