To mark the occasion of the completion of the restoration of the Crucifixion Group, the Rev. Metropolitan Chapter and the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, in collaboration with The Alfred Mizzi Foundation proudly present Franz Josef Haydn’s Seven Last Words for string quartet with the St James Consort which will take place on Tuesday 18 March at St John’s Co-Cathedral at 7.30pm. The general public is cordially invited to attend and entrance is free of charge.

The Crucifixion Group, also sometimes known as the Golgotha Group arrived in Malta after the death of Fra Felicaja, an Italian member of the Order of St John.

When it became known that this important set of statues was willed to the order, preparations were made to find a suitable place for these. The choice of placing these directly in front of Caravaggio’s beheading of St John in the oratory of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, was testimony of how highly rated these works were considered to be.

Two years ago, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation signed an agreement with the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation undertaking to finance the restoration of this important group of statues. ReCoopa were entrusted with this restoration. During the course of the restoration, a re-assessment of the work involved had to be done since work up to that stage revealed details hitherto unseen and therefore a different approach to its conservation had to taken. The Alfred Mizzi Foundation agreed to further finance this prolonged restoration.

Haydn’s Seven Last Words were chosen to complement the set of statues as well as to be in keeping with the Church’s liturgical calendar marking Holy week.