Some of Malta's leading musicians and a group of experienced choristers have just come together, and under the leadership of Maestro Michael Laus, have formed the Goldberg Ensemble Malta, which is the first ensemble of its kind in Malta. The idea of having a fixed group of professional musicians working with a group of singers as one ensemble is surely innovative for Malta.

To mark this newly formed collaboration, the ensemble has devised a multidimensional project which brings together a number of art forms, namely music, dance and photography as well as having an educational dimension. The project as a whole, which has been entitled Rejoice! has received the endorsement of the Arts Council Malta through the Malta Arts Fund sponsorship. The project is also sponsored by The Palace and MIB.

The culmination of this project will be the performance of Handel's Messiah by the Goldberg Ensemble and a number of collaborators including established Maltese soloists Gillian Zammit, Claire Massa and Albert Buttigieg, and  internationally-renowned English tenor Nicholas Mulroy. The performance of the Messiah will take place on Sunday, 11 January at St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta, at 7.30pm.

Handel's Messiah has been described as "one of man's grandest musical achievements". It is traditionally performed worldwide during the Christmas period, with its Hallelujah Chorus being one of the more recognisable passages. Over the 273 years from its composition, performances of Messiah progressively strayed further from Handel's musical world, attempting to make choirs and orchestras ridiculously large, often with "new" parts created for extra instruments. The Messiah will be performed by the Goldberg Ensemble as Handel initially intended it - for single strings and a small group of singers.

A photographic exhibition inspired by Handel's music, but reinterpreted in a contemporary fashion through dance and lighting will also be held.  The photographic exhibition will be set up in the foyer of The Palace Hotel, Sliema, in February. 

Tickets for the Messiah are available for sale at €14 from King Shoes (Ecco) outlets in Valletta, San Gwann and Baystreet Level 0, or by calling ticket hotline 9988 1057. An early bird offer of €12 is available for tickets bought before 21 December.

For more information visit www.goldbergensemble.com.mt