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Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Cecilia, considered the patron saint of musicians and church music.
Her story dates back to the second century and her feast was included in the liturgical calendar in the fourth century. It is believed that she, a noble Roman Lady suffered martyrdom with her husband Valerian, his brother Tiburtius and a soldier Maximus under the Emperor Alexander Severus.
‘I will sing to my God’
This was your motto and you sang to God through the many compositions you have written. You will now sing to Him from very near.
Domenico Bartolucci passed away today, Monday 11th November 2013 at the venerable age of 96. Florentine blood ran through his veins and like his native grand masters he was a very determined person, truly engaged in musical studies throughout his lifetime. He was Director Emeritus of the Sistine Chapel choir from 1956, right after Perosi’s death till 1997. He was also a member of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Ceciilia. Critics consider him among the most authoritative interpreters of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.
After a good breakfast at Porziuncola House, the choristers went to St. Patrick’s Church in Sliema to animate the 10.15am mass. Participating choirs animated various masses around Malta and this at St. Patrick’s was also included in the programme.
The congregation consisted on many parishoners together with many foreign residents who participated actively in the mass. The choir performed the sacred polyphony from the great masters like Palestrina, Bartolucci and from contemporary Portelli.
Schola Cantorum Jubilate’s first experience in the Malta International Choirs’ Festival (MICF) began yesterday evening with an evaluative performance in front of the judges. The repertoire consists in four pieces of sacred music; Palestrina’s Lauda Sion, Bartolucci’s O Sacrum Convivium, Rutter’s The Lord Bless You and keep You, and Jesu Dulcis Memoria, a musical piece purposely composed for the choir by Paul Portelli.