For its third concert at the church of St Catherine of Italy, the St James Consort has prepared a seasonal selection of Baroque Christmas music. The works chosen are the Concerto Grosso Op 1 no.8 by Locatelli, the Pastoral Cantata by Scarlatti and The Christmas Concerto by Corelli. The guest soprano is Pauline Longo, who has become a regular performer at St Catherine’s.

All three composers are contemporaries of Antonio Vivaldi who were inspired by the traditional pastoral music of the shepherds played during the celebrations of the Nativity scenes in northern Italy. The first to use these folk themes was Arcangelo Corelli in his famous Concerto Grosso No. 8 known as The Christmas Concerto. This became so popular that it encouraged the other two composers to create works in a similar vein.

Together, the three pieces are guaranteed to get the audience into the Christmas mood. But if this is not enough, the St James Consort is also providing mulled wine and mince-pies after the performance.

The 14-piece consort, which is lead by violinist Sarah Spiteri, is an initiative of St James Cavalier to present popular and less familiar chamber works to a diverse audience. This is why all concerts are family friendly, and children are welcome.

The concert takes place today at St Catherine of Italy church in Merchants Street, Valletta at 11am. Admission is Lm2 (donation for the restoration of the church), and includes the mulled wine and mince pies.