le="text-align: justify;">The Xaghra Local Council invited Schola Cantorum Jubilate for the eight edition of the Christmas Concert being held in the Basilica of Xaghra. This concert – ‘Gloria in Cielo' was under the auspicious patronage of His Excellency the President of Malta, Dr. Edward Fenech Adami who honoured this concert by his presence as well. Present were also the Hon. Dr. Anton Tabone and Mrs Tabone, the Hon Frederick Azzopardi and Mrs. Azzopardi, the Hon. Dr. Justyne Caruana and Mr. Valletta, the Mayor of Xaghra, Mr. Joseph Spiteri and Mrs. Spiteri, the Councillors Mr. Joe Cordina and Ms. Carmen Bajada together with their respective spouses, Mgr. Carmelo Refalo, Xaghra Archpriest and Mgr. Arc. Emeritus Eucharist Sultana together with some of the Most Reverend Chapter and Clergy of the Basilica of Xaghra. As soon as His Excellency the President of Malta entered the Basilica accompanied by the Xaghra Mayor and the Rev. Archpriest, Mr. Joseph Caruana played the National Anthem on the organ. After this introduction, the organist Mr. Caruana started playing ‘Suite Gothique' and as it was reaching the end, the choir members came out from the side chapels, finding their places on the main altar.
Christmastide Concert
le="text-align: justify;">The concert started by the Mayor giving a welcome speech to the congregation. Then it was time for the choir to start its programme by some pieces a cappella: ‘Psallite' (Praetorius) followed by ‘It-Trittiku tal-Milied' (arr. Portelli). After these motets, the Archpriest gave his speech and other carols followed: ‘Ninni la Tibkix izjed' (Schembri), ‘Puer Natus' (Bartolucci), ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High' (anon), ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen' (arr. Willcocks) and then ‘We Three Kings'(Hopkins, arr. Pitts) which included three soloists: Christabella Vella (soprano), Janice Gatt (alto) and Fabian Galea (tenor). Then there was the time for some instrumental music. The first piece was played on the organ by Joseph Caruana who hails from Zejtun and had studied in France. He interpreted ‘X Noel Grand jeu et Duo' by Louis d'Aquin and then the most popular Maltese Symphony ‘Sinfonia Pastorale' composed by Emmanuel Galea. There was also the intervention of a flutist – Naomi Attard who was accompanied by Mro. Stephen Attard on the harpsichord and organ. The pieces played were ‘Sicilienne' from Pelleas et Melisande by Gabriel Faure and then ‘Siciliano' from Sonata No. 2 by Johann S. Bach. After this musical interlude, the director and soprano Marouska Attard interpreted ‘Ave Maria' by Gounod and ‘Minuit Chretiens' by Adam. She was accompanied by the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra. The other items performed by the Schola Cantorum were all accompanied by the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra. The pieces were: ‘Quem Pastores Laudavere' (Rutter), ‘Nativity Carol' (Rutter), ‘Bethlehem' (Schonberg), ‘Silent Night' (Gruber), ‘O Come all Ye Faithful' (arr. Willcocks), ‘Joy to the World' (arr. Marco Frisina) and finally the highly expected and then acclaimed ‘Gloria in Cielo' (arr. Marco Frisina). As the concert came to an end, the comperes Doris and Tony Grech asked His Excellency the President of Malta for his speech of the occasion. His Excellency was very pleased with the outcome of the concert. He remained impressed by the directress energy which was transmitted to the choir members who gave an outstanding performance. There was also a warm acknowledged by a standing ovation by the congregation which packed the church. At the end of President's speech, the choir and orchestra interpreted the National Anthem. A reception followed in the Collegiate Chapter Hall of the Basilica where the President and other Personalities met the choir members and the Councillors.
