Today, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, who goes on to become the main protagonist in the Nativity Scene.

Because the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday in Malta, many take the opportunity to start decorating their houses to bring around the spirit of Christmas. Young ones start thinking of sending letters or emails to Father Christmas, with lists of desired presents.

In exactly the same way, Schola Cantorum Jubilate opens the various Christmas activities in Gozo. The fourth edition of Carols by Candlelight will be held tomorrow at St Augustine’s Cloister for the second consecutive year. This place was chosen after receiving a lot of positive feedback from the audience.

However, the organisers are working hard to present a different soiree’ for this year’s Carols by Candlelight. Those who attended for the last three editions can tell that each year, the show was presented in a different way, rendering each individual performance a unique and memorable experience. After all, this is the aim of this fundraising activity – that of presenting a magical musical experience which keeps the audience eager for more, year after year. Moreover, the organisers want to make the audience feel the innocent warmth which the feast brings around and at the same time, make them think of the miracle of life.

Besides the music and the food, there is also the noble gesture of charity. All proceeds of the activity will be forwarded to Dar Guzeppa Debono of Ghajnsielem. This is the home for single mothers who need support and professional care to help them face moral, social, economic, psychological and even legal difficulties. The volunteers, together with the professional staff, work tirelessly to give voice to the unborn child, protect him/her from abortion and help his/her mother respect life and its mystery.

The concert

The concert will be held at St Augustine’s Church, which will change its appearance for the occasion, returning to a time when lamps and candles were the only means to dispel the darkness of the night. Special light effects, together with numerous candles and candelabra, will be orchestrated by the event’s artistic director, Austin Camilleri.

The repertoire includes different traditional, popular and contemporary carols with musical arrangements by Mro Stephen Attard and Mro Paul Portelli. Various instruments skilfully and professionally played by the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra will accompany the Schola during this concert under the baton of Marouska Attard. This year’s repertoire is different from the previous years, with a number of pieces from the contemporary scene: The Coming of Christmas by Prof. Charles Camilleri – the most internationally-renowned Maltese composer; Puer Natus by Dominico Bartolucci, who served as Maestro di Cappella at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican; Quem Pastores Laudavere, by John Rutter, whose name is synonymous with Christmas Carols; and God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, arranged from an English traditional carol by David Willcocks.

Solo pieces will be performed by the newly graduated director Marouska Attard. Moreover, the organist Joseph Camilleri will interpret an organ Pastorale by Adolfo Bossi.

The venue

St Augustine Church (1666) is an ideal location both for acoustics and cosiness. It is endowed with a magnificent pipe organ of the brand name Mascioni. This organ was brought in the 1950s and was paid for by the benefactor Fr Gelasio Bugeja, who lived in America and used to distribute the money earned among the monasteries to improve their well-being.

The main altarpiece depicts St Augustine with St John the Baptist and St Guillermo of Aquitaine. All three saints lived in hermitage. This painting, dated 1694, is said to be one of the works of the famous artist Mattia Preti. Right above the tabernacle, there is the figure of Our Lady of the Buon Consiglio, to which there is a particular veneration in this church. It was brought from Rome in 1765.

Along the years, the convent’s cloister, thanks to the Augustinian friars, has retained its original construction. Its arches and garden take the visitor directly back to the Renaissance.

It is the ideal place for the Carols by Candlelight gala dinner. Long tables, decorated as if for a medieval banquet, together with a ceiling lit specially for the occasion, create a suggestive setting to complement the atmosphere in the Church.

This particular convent offers its rooms and chapels for retreat services. On the evening of Carols by Candlelight, it will be possible to spend the night in this unique place. All ensuite rooms have recently been refurnished to assure comfort to all those who would like to experience a night at the convent.

The Food

Ambience, music and singing must combine with good food and wine to complement the soiree. The Ta’ Frenc staff will be in charge of catering. With their long years of experience and professionalism, their preparations will surely help to unite all the diverse aspects of this unique event for a magical and joyful Christmas event. Moreover, Ta’ Frenc won the Best Overall Restaurant category at last year’s prestigious The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants’ Awards.

Tickets are limited. The audience is requested to be seated 15 minutes before the beginning of the performance. Tickets may be bought from D’Amato Records Shop in Valletta and Bargate Bookshop in Victoria. Ticket Hotlines: 7905-5207 / 7909-4232. Email: [email protected]. For lodging at the convent call 7945-0950.