All music and Christmas lovers have kept the event of ‘Carols by Candlelight’ as an annual appointment. In fact, the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, encouraged by the persisting requests from various persons, are busily preparing for the tenth edition of ‘Carols by Candlelight’. All music and Christmas lovers have kept the event of ‘Carols by Candlelight’ as an annual appointment. In fact, the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, encouraged by the persisting requests from various persons, are busily preparing for the tenth edition of ‘Carols by Candlelight’.
The Choir wanted to present a Christmas Concert with a difference and ‘Carols by Candlelight’, Australian tradition in origin, was introduced in Gozo. As From the very first edition, back in 2003, many Maltese, took the opportunity to cross the channel and reach the island of Gozo for a memorable evening. It also got the interest of many foreign residents who, apart from attending, are the first ones to ask for the dates of ‘Carols by Candlelight’. They tend to plan their visits abroad after the event. And surprises never cease to happen. In fact for the seventh edition a BBC journalist was among the audience and a year later, close to the festive season, ‘Carols by Candlelight’ was included with the top ten European Christmas events on an article on ‘The Guardian’.
But what is actually ‘Carols by Candlelight’ and how come its popularity keeps striking more people? ‘Carols by Candlelight’ is the Christmas event organised by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, one of the leading choirs in Malta. The event starts with a Christmas concert at St. Augustine’s Church with a Christmassy setting, always different from previous years, under the artistic direction of Fr. Joseph Bajada. The repertoire always includes many classical and traditional carols. Some carols have profound lyrics which with their simplicity narrate the Christmas story. Great composers gave importance to Christmas carols and left us a heritage which reaches a generation after the other, always leaving the same desire: that of singing them in the season. Some pieces will be performed a cappella, others with the accompaniment of the Jubilate Ensemble and others will be interpreted by soloists amongst whom Albert Buttigieg, Charles Vincenti, Catherine Portelli and Marouska Attard, who is also the Musical Director. At the end of the concert, the attendees, will leave the church and enter the cloister where an art exhibition will be held in the foyer. This year, the young talented Gozitan artist Victor Agius will present a set of ceramic sculptures and mixed media works related to the Nativity. The evening celebration continues with an exquisite dinner prepared by the Ta’ Frenċ Chefs. This will be held in the cloister which again compliments with the Christmas spirit of the evening, with its unique comfort and decorations.
The organisers work with the aim of indulging all those attending in a memorable, spiritual and creative experience which helps one retire from the daily routine and go back in time, reliving childhood memories. Moreover, all proceeds of this evening go to Ġużeppa Debono Home of Għajnsielem which caters for single parents and organises pro-life activities. The collaboration between two Gozitan NGOs like Schola Cantorum Jubilate and Ġuzeppa Debono Home, bring a single message: that of celebrating life as a gift and a miracle.
The dates for this Christmas event are Friday 14th and Saturday 15th December at 7.30pm at St. Augustine’s Priory in Victoria Gozo. Patrons with tickets only are allowed in and it is advisable to get the tickets as early as possible since the space is limited. Tickets are available from D’Amato Records Shop in Valletta and Bargate Bookshop in Victoria. Maltese residents who wish to stay overnight in the priory are kindly asked to book by calling on 79450950. More information can be obtained from the website www.scjchoir.com, by sending an email (info@scjchoir.com) or from Schola Cantorum Jubilate Facebook Page.