The advent of autumn brings a welcome respite from the punishing temperatures of the summer months, and initiates the winter activities of the local cultural calendar. Inaugurating this calendar of events is a choral concert of sacred music that is being presented by the 40-strong mixed choir, 'The New Choral Singers', to be held at St. John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta on Friday, 5 October at 7.30pm.
The concert is Malta's entry to the bi-annual event 'Voices for Hospices'; the international activity whereby a 'Mexican wave' of more than 500 concerts are simultaneously held, in over 60 countries around the globe. The event is this year's official fund-raising activity for the 'World Hospice & Palliative Care Day', and aims to raise both funds, and public awareness, regarding the invaluable work of Hospice and Palliative Care Units worldwide.
Locally, this event will be a tribute to the tireless dedication of The Malta Hospice Movement and their ongoing efforts to provide the highest standards of palliative care for persons suffering from cancer or motor neurone disease, and their respective families. The October concert will be the Choir's second liaison with The Malta Hospice Movement following a highly successful concert performance last October, where the Mdina Cathedral was filled to capacity.
On the occasion of the 'World Hospice & Palliative Care Day', 'The New Choral Singers' have selected a varied repertoire of classical compositions by renowned authors such as Wolfgang A. Mozart, Lodovico Viadana, and Thomas Tallis. The Choir will also be performing 'Oratione Omnipotens Aeternae' by the local composer Josef Bugeja. This hymn narrates a prayer by St. Francis of Assisi, and has been specifically arranged for bass solo, choir and orchestra. Concluding the evening's program will be the Choir's performance of Franz Josef Haydn's, 'Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis De Deo'. Furthermore, during this item Rosabelle Bianchi (Soprano) and Albert Buttigieg (Bass) will both deliver solo performances.
Robert Calleja, director to The New Choral Singers, will be conducting the evening's programme, co-ordinating the Choir and the 'St James' Consort' chamber orchestra, who will be accompanying the Choir on this occasion. John Aquilina will be organising for the evening.
The New Choral Singers cordially invite members of the general public to attend this musical event, which is supported by the Ministry of Finance – National Lotteries Good Causes Fund. Entrance to the concert is free of charge however the audience are invited to join the Choir in their support in aid of The Malta Hospice Movement.
This concert is being held with the courtesy of the Metropolitan Chapter and the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation. Stiletto and narrow heeled shoes are prohibited on the inlaid marble floor at St. John's Co-Cathedral.