The Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter is inviting the public to a soirée to mark the Restoration of the Apostolato (1740) and the Rossi Pipe Organ (1774) of the Mdina Cathedral. It is being held at the Cathedral church in Mdina on 9 October at 7.30pm.

The Apostolato, the work of the Italian silversmith Antonio Arrighi and restored by Sante Guido Restauro e Conservazione Opere d’Arte, consists of 15 statues of the 12 Apostles, the Blessed Virgin Mary (known as Turris Davidica), St. Paul and St. John the Baptist. The silver statues, made in 1740, show exquisite workmanship and were donated to the Order of St John by two of its balís. This latest restoration brings out more effectively the original beauty of this outstanding work of art. Dr Giuseppe Mantella will be making a visual presentation of the restoration work.

On this occasion John Aquilina, organist of the Mdina Cathedral, will give a recital on the pipe organ which has been restored by Robert Buhagiar, the first Maltese member of the International Society of Organ Builders, whose training was focused mainly on the restoration of historic Italian organs. The organ, which was built by Domenico Antonio Rossi in 1774 - the same era as when the Apostolato was made - is the largest organ in Malta.