Cardinal Mario Grech officiated a mass at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City during which the St Paul Choral Society (SPCS) sang anthems by Maltese composers. The mass was held on 8 September, one of Malta's national feasts dedicated to the Virgin Mary, so appropriately many of the anthems sung were by Maltese composers and others in honour of Our Lady. To the delight of the choir and numerous compatriots in the packed congregation, His Eminence Mario Grech said his opening prayer in Maltese. This was just one of the highlights of the SPCS's recent tour to Rome and the Vatican City.
The highlight of the sixth choral tour, which celebrated the 25th anniversary since its inception, was undoubtedly animating this evening mass at the Altare della Cattedra in the apse behind the famous Papal Altar adorned by Bernini's masterpiece above the ancient tomb of St Peter. The composition Nativitas Tua, composed specifically for this occasion by the choir director Hugo Agius Muscat, was sung as the offertory anthem. Elisabeth Conrad, who accompanied the choir throughout the week-long tour, was at the organ. After mass the cardinal met the choir in La Sagrestia Vaticana for a chat, photos and the presentation of a gift.
The choir animated a second mass at the Basilica di Santa Sabina, which dates from the fifth century AD while the Roman columns are from three centuries earlier. Here, Joseph Vella's An English Mass was sung as well as the well-known Anima Christi by world-renowned Marco Frisina. In the 13th century the Basilica was given to the Dominicans who have used it as their headquarters to this day. The rector Rev. Fr Philipp Johannes Wagner OP acted as cantor and concelebrated the mass, at the end of which the choir gathered in the Giardino degli Aranci, close by, with its scenic terrace overlooking Rome, to take a group photo.
A choir tour is always a thrilling experience where choir members find the reception to their music in other countries to be an encouragement to them and this promotes confidence as singers. It has always been an opportunity for them to perform in some amazing cathedrals and churches. The Rome anniversary tour was no exception.
The programme of events started off at the Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesu' with the first of three concerts spanning from 16th century Church music to contemporary pieces. Organ solos were also played by the choir director and the choir organist, one of which was Lamento by Guilmant dedicated to the memory of Don Guido Novella, the Salesian father who used to administer the basilica and passed away last July. The choir was honoured by guests-of-honour audience members, namely the Maltese Ambassador in Rome, His Excellency Carmel Vassallo and Mrs Vassallo. The ambassador was key to promoting the choir's tour/programme among the Maltese community in Rome prior to the event.
Two other concerts were held at the Chiesa di San Paolo Entro le Mura and at the Basilica di Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. At San Paolo Entro le Mura, the American Episcopal church, a number of English songs/composers featured in the programme - Rutter's Look at the World and For the Beauty of the Earth, Britten's A Hymn to the Virgin and Elgar's Ave Verum.
The final concert of the tour took place at the Basilica di Santa Cecilia, the patron saint of music. One legend is that St Cecilia is the patroness of musicians and church music because, as she was dying, she sang to God. Tradition holds that the church was built over the house of the saint. The choir sang in front of the main altar where the famous heart-breaking baroque sculpture of the dying martyr by Stefano Maderno lies. The assistant choir director, Cecilia Agius Muscat took the baton for some anthems during this event. A sizable and very appreciative audience attended the concert which ended with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
Friends of the choir are invited to a Thanksgiving Mass being held as part of the choir's 25th anniversary celebrations at St John's Co-Cathedral Valletta on Saturday, 28 October at 7pm.