St Gregory oratorio to be performed at St John's

The St Paul Choral Society will perform the oratorio San Gregorio Magno for soloists, choir and organ at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta on April 23 at 7 p.m.

This will be the second performance of the oratorio following the one on April 16 and will coincide with the start of the EU accession celebrations.

The year 2004 is the 1,400th anniversary of the death of St Gregory the Great. It was for this reason that the committee of the St Paul Choral Society decided last year to prepare the oratorio San Gregorio Magno, one of the most important Maltese compositions of the 20th century. This work, completed in 1965, was composed by Carmelo Scerri, with lyrics by Albert Cassola. In 11 scenes it describes important episodes in the life of Pope Gregory the First.

Bass Albert Buttigieg sings the principal part of Gregorio, soprano Gillian Zammit sings the part of the Muse in Scene IX and tenor Francis Mangion sings the parts of Un uomo in Scene III and of Augustine in Scene V.

The organist is Elisabeth Conrad and the director is Hugo Agius Muscat.

The St Paul Choral Society is one of Malta's leading polyphonic choirs. Established in 1998, it has 58 members, who meet every Wednesday for practice in the undercroft of the Anglican Cathedral.

The concert is being held in collaboration with the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter and the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation.

Ladies are reminded that they may not wear stiletto heels in the Co-Cathedral. Entrance is free.