The Third Gaulitana ‘A Festival of Music’ has now commenced with Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” held at the Xaghra Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady last Monday, the 6th of April.

This meditation on the sacred passion of the holy Redeemer, (words by Rev. J. Sparrow-Simpson, music by John Stainer) is a great work for two male voices (tenor and bass) together with a mixed choir.

Tenor Brian Cefai and bass Albert Buttigieg sung their parts very well indeed as did the Gaulitanus Choir under the baton of Mro. Colin Attard. This work was accompanied by Mro. Stephen Attard on the basilica’s organ.

Highlights from this twenty movement meditation include the very demanding “Processional To Calvary,” the haunting “God so loved the world” and the moving “The appeal of the Crucified” which were all sung by the choir and were interspaced by movements sung by the two main singers and four male singers, tenors Terry Shaw, Fr. Joseph Calleja and Joseph Buttigieg and bass Darren Vella.

This recital was sponsored by the Culture Section of the Gozo Ministry.

The Gaulitana ‘A Festival of Music’ continues next Tuesday, the 14th of April with the Youth and Music Concert at the Exhibition Hall, St. Francis Square, Victoria at 8pm. The performers will be Pierre Louis Attard (violin) 15 years, Philip Attard (saxaphone) 16 years, and Michela Galea (piano) at a very tender 13 years of age. They will be playing works by Ravel, Zoltan Szekely, Chopin, Listz, Frencaix, Pascal, Genin and Grieg and will be accompanied by Antoine Theuma and Colin Attard.

Next Saturday, the 18th of April, it will be the turn of the famous Moscow Ballet, this time the venue will be the Teatru tal-Opra, Aurora, Victoria at 8pm. Amongst other offerings this ballet will feature pieces from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Gizelle in the first part of the programme, as well as The Nutcracker, The Swan, Adagio and Swan Dance from Swan Lake, the Adagio from Carmen and Cinderella, pas de deux from the Corsair, and the Grand pas from Don Quixote.

Tickets are available at €25/35/45 and €52 from the Aurora theatre or www.maltaticket.com or by telephone on 21559452 and 21562974.

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