On the performance day, the Choir left Gozo with the 5.15pm ferry-boat. The Opera ‘Dido and Aeneas' by the composer Henry Purcell and libretto by Nahum Tate, was organized by the Chamber of Engineers and produced by Claire Massa for Vocalise. This opera in concert version started at 8.30pm and was under the distinguished patronage of H. E. Dr. Edward Fenech Adami, President of Malta. Present for the soiree were also the Minister for Tourism Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, Ing. Alexander Tranter - Chairman of Chamber of Engineers, the Director of National Orchestra - Mro. Michael Laus and other distinguished people and music critics.
The soloists were: Marouska Attard (director of Schola Cantorum Jubilate) who took the role of Belinda, the lady in waiting to Dido, Rosabelle Bianchi (Dido, Queen of Carthage), Charles Vincenti was Aeneas, a Trojan Prince, Claudia Tabone (Schola Cantorum Jubilate) was another lady in waiting to Dido and a Spirit, Corazon Mizzi was a Sorceress, Michelle Cachia Castelletti and Charlene Aquilina were the two witches, Fabian Galea (Schola Cantorum Jubilate) was the Sailor. The Music Director was Mro. Chris Muscat. The Vocalise Chamber Ensamble consisted of 3 first violins, 2 second violins, 2 violas, a cello, a double bass and a continuo (clavichord). The latter was played by Claire Massa. The Orchestra Leader was Ms. Marcelline Agius. At the end of the performance, the orchestra, soloists and choir executed the National Anthem. The tickets were sold out from a week before and the audience appreciated the effort done by the young team of professional musicians, each one in his role, doing the utmost for a memorable evening.
