The oratorio – Guzeppi ta’ Nazaret – in celebration of the `Year of St Joseph,’ is to be performed by Gozo’s Gaulitanus Choir.
The Choir said that it is closely associated with this oratorio. Commissioned by the Qala Parish Church as part of the parish’s centenary celebrations, it was first performed at the Qala and Msida Parish Churches in summer 1990 with the Gaulitanus Choir in attendance. A repeat performance at the Qala Square was also held ten years later in 2000.
The Gaulitanus Choir explained that the libretto of `Guzeppi ta’ Nazaret’ was penned by the late and beloved Bishop Nicholas J. Cauchi and was set to music by the then very young Colin Attard. It delves into the life of the glorious patriarch St Joseph, the “just man given to Mary.”
As was the case with all the previous performances of the oratorio, the title role will be interpreted by Gozitan bass Noel Galea, for whom the role was originally conceived. Soprano Nicola Said will feature in the very high tessitura role of Mary, whereas mezzo-soprano Claire Massa will interpret the role of the Angel as she did in 2000. Young Gozitan tenor Angelo Muscat will appear in the short roles of Gabriel and Jesus. The cast will be complimented by boy soprano Sam Micallef as the young Jesus.
The Gaulitanus Choir will of course feature alongside the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra led by Marcelline Agius. The composer and Gaulitanus Choir’s founder-director, Mro Colin Attard, will conduct.
The Choir said that this performance will be enhanced with a visual concept entrusted to renowned Gozitan artist, Austin Camilleri.
The performance, supported by the Cultural Heritage Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo with the collaboration of the Qala Parish and the Qala Local Council, starts at 8pm on Tuesday, the 7th of December, at the Qala Parish Church.
Entrance is free of charge on a first-come-first-served basis upon the presentation of a vaccination certificate, the Choir said.