St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta is to stage a grand performance of Handel's glorious Messiah in aid of the Valletta Skyline Appeal featuring the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, University of Western Australia Choral Society and Goldberg Ensemble.

Hailed as "one of Man's grandest musical achievements," Handel's Messiah - a narrative drama about the life of Christ and meditation on the idea of a Messiah - still awes listeners more than 250 years after the composer's death.

A group of choristers from the University of Western Australia Choral Society are flying over specially from Perth to take part in the performance of the masterpiece which will be conducted by Maestro Michael Laus and feature leading Maltese singers Gillian Zammit, Claire Massa, Juan Gambina and Albert Buttigieg.

With a history stretching over eight decades, the society has over the years joined other choirs for performances in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (with Luciano Pavarotti), Verona, New York, Vienna, Moscow, St Petersburg.

The society's president, Prof. Trevor Parry, said: "We jumped at the opportunity to sing in Malta and at the same time to support the efforts of the Committee for the Restoration of St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral.

"Malta has a special place in Australian hearts because so many of our wounded servicemen were nursed there during the First World War and so many of our soldiers, sailors and airmen fought in the Mediterranean theatre during the Second World War. Moreover, many thousands of Maltese have made Australia their home over the years and are much respected there."

St Paul's Anglican Pro-Cathedral Save Valletta's Skyline Restoration Committee group co-chairman Martin Scicluna said: "This promises to be a rousing performance of a most loved and popular work, and we are delighted that all proceeds from the concert will go towards the appeal."

The campaign, launched last February, aims to raise the €3 million needed for the restoration of Pro-Cathedral's tower and 60-metre spire, built between 1839 and 1844, which have deteriorated dramatically in recent years.

Prince Charles, who made an undisclosed personal donation the fund, toured the Pro-Cathedral during a visit to Malta last month, while billionaire theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh - who owns a home in Valletta - also generously contributed €100,000 to the cause. However, substantial sums are still required to achieve the campaign target.

The Duke of Edinburgh is patron of the Friends of the Cathedral and the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, has also given her distinguished patronage to the appeal and, together with other patrons, has been most supportive of our work.

 

Tickets for the performance - which will take place at the Pro-Cathedral on Friday, January 12 at 7pm - will be available from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office on a first come, first served basis

Price categories are €75 for Gold; €55 for Silver; and €35 for Bronze