On Friday 16 March, at St. John's Co-Cathedral, the St. Paul Chamber Ensemble will be performing the Messa da Requiem (2017), the latest orchestral work written by H E Chev Mro Mark Agius, one of the most talented composers to emerge recently in Malta. The work is scored for orchestra, four main soloists and SATB choir.

Four well-established singers who do not need any introduction in the Classical scene in Malta will be singing the solo parts, namely Soprano Karen Gatt Darmenia, Contralto May Caruana, Tenor Charles Vincenti, and Baritone Ivan Vella. For this special occasion, the Rotondo Choir of Poznan, Poland was invited to premiere the orchestral work.

The Messa da Requiem is written in eight movements - the Introit, Kyrie, Dies Irae (which in itself is divided into a further eight contrasting sections), Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Pie Jesu, Libera Me and In Paradisium.

The work is a showcase of artistry which assimilates an intricate and delicate filigree of textures, an explosion of diverse harmonies that transports the listener to a sphere of soundscapes of different tonalities. Throughout the work, each movement constitutes different stylistic features from tonal to post-tonal progressions, an integration of diverse lyrical melodies, supported by percussive rhythms and elusive instrumental sounds that present an interesting and challenging work of art.

With a keen sense of harmony, humility and assurance, Agius' music retains the attention of the listener, on occasion maintaining complex and demanding passages by the performers, but at the same time, retaining dynamism and consistency throughout the work.

Established in 2015 under the direction of H E Chev Mro Mark Agius, the St Paul Chamber Ensemble is fast becoming one of Malta's foremost musical ensembles, bringing together some of the finest musicians and singers our island has to offer.  Over the past years, the ensemble has performed at a number of prestigious events such as the Solemn Investiture and Installation of H E Prince Sandor Hapsburg Lothringen as Prince Grandmaster of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John, as well as the commemoration of the 450th Anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.

The St Paul Chamber Ensemble has also performed a series of recitals in collaboration with the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem and various parishes and Local Councils with proceeds going in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.  The ensemble forms part of one of the programmes that is attained by the Medina Foundation for Music, a registered, independent and non-profit organisation established with the aims of encouraging and facilitating professional musical development and cultural awareness, providing upcoming musicians with an opportunity to collaborate with established artists in performances of the highest standards.

Its repertoire features works by classical composers, as well as contemporary works by Ennio Morricone, Andrew Lloyd Weber, John Rutter, Amy Grant and Mark Lowry as well as Maltese composers such as Emanuel Galea and most recently, Joseph Sammut whose work, The Canticles of St Luke, which had been awarded the Juror's Prize at the APS Bank Competition for Composers in 2010, was performed to high acclaim at St John's Co-Cathedral in March 2017.