An end-of-summer open-air concert – Blazing Away with Hope – is to be presented by the Gaulitanus Choir of Gozo, following its return to live events in early August.

“The evening concert aims to keep transmitting the much-needed positivity through music,” the choir said, “whilst being considerate of the current restrictions and the health and safety standards expected.”

The concert will feature violinist Pierre Louis Attard, himself very active within the Gaulitanus’s ranks also being festival manager at Gaulitana: A Festival of Music, as well as two of the choir’s soprano soloists, Annabelle Zammit and Patricia Buttigieg. Artistic director Colin Attard will be accompanying and directing.

In line with the concert’s theme, the chosen repertoire will be a rather ‘light’ classical and semi-classical one – which should appeal to everyone.

The numbers presented by the two sopranos will focus on the British theatre. Numbers from Gilbert and Sullivan’s end-of-the-nineteenth century light Savoy operas will alternate with enchanting songs from Ivor Novello’s early-twentieth century musicals, as well as with some of the best-loved numbers from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s contemporary shows.

The choir said that there will also be quite a few lively and catchy pieces for violin. Pierre Louis Attard will interpret a selection of vivacious classical works by Kreisler, Hubay and Busoni, followed by some contrasting upbeat and charming popular Latin and rhapsodic works.

The evening comes to an end with the Gaulitanus Choir – with the choir members socially distanced as per the current Standards for Choir – joining the three soloists for a concluding grand medley of British and American marches composed a century ago – all intended to instill hope and optimism at a time when the world was similarly facing another very tough time during WW1, the choir said.

The concert, organised with the support of the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo, is being held on Friday, the 25th of September at 7.30pm at the Ministry for Gozo’s Courtyard, Victoria, and will be in full compliance with the current health and safety standards for live open-air performances – including a limited capacity.

While entrance is for free, places can only be guaranteed through reservations on first-come-first-served basis on gaulitanus@gmail.com by Wednesday, the 23rd of September.

Meanwhile, the full health and safety procedures being adopted for this open-air concert are:

Upon making a reservation, patrons are to forward the names, IDs and contact numbers for contact tracing purposes.

The entrance for the venue will be from the Reception Area in Enrico Mizzi Street (opposite the Gozo Seminary – with the MGOZ’s parking space available).

Doors open at 7pm – with temperature check carried out and hand sanitiser provided.

Patrons are kindly requested to respect the 2 metre social distancing measure whilst queueing.

Patrons should access the venue wearing a mask/visor and are encouraged to keep wearing it during the concert. The seating will be socially distanced.

No printed programme will be available, with the full programme released on this website in due course.

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