The St Paul Choral Society (SPCS) has recently returned from a five-day performing tour of Belgium, adding another chapter to their rich history of international performances. The choir, which has toured every two years for nearly two decades, has previously graced some of Europe's most illustrious venues in London, Paris, Spain, Vienna, Germany and Rome.

This summer, the 60-strong ensemble focused its talent on four of Belgium's most historic and beautiful cities: Bruges, Antwerp, Ghent and the capital, Brussels. Under the guidance of the choirmaster Hugo Agius Muscat, assistant choirmaster Cecilia Agius Muscat and organist Elisabeth Conrad, the tour underscored the choir's dual commitment to artistic excellence and to representing Maltese choral music to its audiences

The Belgian journey commenced in Bruges, aptly named the Venice of the North for its picturesque canals. The opening performance took place at St Saviour's Cathedral, the city's oldest parish church. The cathedral's stunning Gothic architecture and exceptional acoustics proved to be the ideal launchpad for the tour's ambitious programme.

The repertoire, consistently featured across all venues, was a rich tapestry of musical eras, encompassing Renaissance polyphony, Romantic sacred works and contemporary compositions. The programme boasted masterpieces from European composers such as Palestrina, Fauré, Handel, Duruflé and Saint-Saëns, and importantly, highlighted Maltese composers including Zerafa, Azzopardi, Scerri, Vella and Agius Muscat. Performances were described as being "both polished and deeply moving".

The tour's second stop was Antwerp, where the choir performed in St James' Church. This magnificent Baroque structure is perhaps best known as the final resting place of the legendary painter Peter Paul Rubens. The concert was held within the church's richly decorated interior, which possesses a unique aura that is simultaneously intimate and grand and where the music blended seamlessly with the surroundings.

A distinctive element of the tour was the division of the choral singing into two parts, separated by short organ recitals, in three of the four venues. Prof. Conrad performed Bach's Prelude and Fugue in A Minor and Mendelssohn's Finale from Organ Sonata No. 1, and teamed up with Dr Agius Muscat for the notable Duet for Organ by Samuel Wesley.

In Ghent, a city defined by its three famous towers, the SPCS was invited to animate the High Mass at the world-renowned St Bavo's Cathedral. This cathedral is not only a landmark on the Ghent skyline but also the home of Hubert and Jan van Eyck's globally significant masterpiece, the Ghent Altarpiece or The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. The sheer scale and solemn beauty of the Gothic space lent considerable weight to the repertoire.
Later in the day, a concert was held in the third of the city's three towers, St Nicholas Church. Here, the choir presented reflective and meditative works, which were performed variously a cappella and accompanied. Singing in this sacred space, steeped in centuries of tradition, was an inspiring experience for both the choristers and the assembled audiences.

The extensive tour reached its successful conclusion in Brussels, the Belgian capital. The final concert was hosted at the Church of St Michael and St Gudula, a prominent and iconic national landmark.

The performance drew a diverse audience that included both local residents, international visitors and a sizeable presence from the Maltese community. The audience responded with generous applause, culminating in a resounding standing ovation at the final notes of the concluding programme. This powerful reception sealed the SPCS's Belgian tour as a resounding success.

Dignitaries in the audience included high-profile figures such as EP President Roberta Metsola and Ambassador Vanni Xuereb, alongside MEPs David Casa and Thomas Bajada, all of whom personally congratulated the members of the St Paul Choral Society following their performance. The tour will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight in the choir's history.

Photo: Ray Mizzi