For the eighth consecutive year, Schola Cantorum Jubilate kept its annual initiative of organising ‘Carols by Candlelight'. Now it got into the Local Cultural Calendar and many are those who start asking for tickets from months ahead. The demand increases from year to year and still some people do not make it on time to get tickets. Both productions have the same features so as to give the same opportunities to patrons. In fact, on the English newspaper ‘The Guardian' of November 16 th , ‘Carols by Candlelight' was listed as one of the top ten Christmas Concerts in Europe. It is an honor not only to the choristers but also a prestige to Gozo and Malta . This year's programme opened with an arrangement of ‘O Come o Come Emanuel' by Paul Portelli and continued with pieces a cappella - ‘Psallite' (Prætorius), ‘Ninni la tibkix iżjed' (arr. D. Buhagiar) with an accompaniment of Joseph Refalo on the banjo, ‘Noël Nouvelet' (arr. R. Cilia), ‘Gabriel's Message' (arr. D. Willcocks) and ‘Sussex Carol' (arr. D. Willcocks).
Then there was a ‘Prayer to St. Nicholas' which was recited by Dianne Angie Portelli Galea who explained the forthcoming feast of St. Nicholas, the legends which associate this saint with Christmas and finally a prayer for his intervention in our modern times. At a certain point, Mgr. Nicholas Cauchi, Bishop of Gozo, who passed away recently was mentioned and acknowledged for his contribution in the Diocese of Gozo but above all for a patrimony of Christian literature. The concert continued with some solo pieces. Dr. Joseph Camilleri played a ‘Pastorale ad Libitum in sol Minore Op6 No. 8 by Corelli on the Mascioni organ of the church. Fabian Cini and Philip Attard interpreted a medley ‘The Christmas Classics' on the piano and saxophone alto respectively. This medley was composed by Paul Portelli. Then Carlos Borg (trumpeter), accompanied by Joseph Camilleri on the organ, played ‘The First Nowell' and ‘O Christmas Tree' (both arranged by B. Dewagtere). Later, it was time for some vocal solos. Marouska Attard interpreted ‘The Virgin's Slumber Song' (M. Reger) and Albert Buttigieg interpreted a new composition by Paul Portelli ‘Joseph's Lullaby'. This piece has its moving text by Michael Card. Following this, Marouska Attard and Albert Buttigieg joined forces and performed a duet ‘English Advent Carol' (arr. P. M. Liebergen). It was finally the choristers' turn to perform further pieces, this time accompanied by the Jubilate Ensemble. They performed ‘Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth' (arr. P. Portelli) with the solo pieces interpreted by Marouska Attard and Bernadine Attard, ‘Nativity Carol' (J. Rutter), ‘Candlelight Carol' (J. Rutter), ‘Adeste Fidelis' (arr. S. Attard), ‘Good King Wenceslas' (arr. R. Jacques) with the solo pieces interpreted by Christabella Vella and Albert Buttigieg, ‘Angelus ad Virginem' (arr. D. Willcocks) and finally ‘Gloria in Cielo' (arr. S. Attard / P. Portelli). ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High' was the encore. Some of the pieces included a tableau or else some acting. The actors were: Monica Theuma (Mary), Brian Sultana (Joseph), Giuseppe Buttigieg (Baby Jesus), Joseph Bajada (St. Nicholas/King Wenceslas), Francesco Bonello (Page), Mark Bonnici (Poor Man) and Julian Attard, Daniel Bartolo and Joseph Galea (Angels). The Jubilate Ensemble was formed by Joseph Camilleri (piano/organ), Fabian Cini (piano/tubular bells), Alex Abela and Charleen Caruana (violins), Jacob Portelli (cello/harp), Noemi Attard (flute), Philip Attard (Sax Alto), Carlos Borg (trumpet), Michael Camilleri (Timpani) and Saviour Camilleri (cymbals). The compere of the soirée was Mario Xuereb and the artistic director Rev. Fr. Joseph Bajada. Following the concert there was the dinner inside the Friary's Cloister. The five course meal was freshly prepared by the Ta' Frenċ Chefs. Many were the people involved and most of them worked voluntarily for a good cause… in fact all proceeds were forward to Ġużeppa Debono Home which is our modern cave of Bethlehem . The foyer hosted also an exhibition by an established Gozitan artist – George Scicluna. The event was attended by various people amongst whom Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, Hon. Dr. Chris Said, Parliamentary Secretary, Mr and Mrs. Anton Tabone and Rev. Fr. Emanuel Borg Bonello (Provincial OSA) and other distinguished guests, sponsors and many friends of the Schola Cantorum!
