Unforgettable performance

The recent visit of the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina or as it is simply called Sistine Chapel Choir of St Peter's basilica in Rome was really an outstanding event both from the artistic and religious aspect.

The performance at the Mdina Cathedral, at St John's Co-Cathedral and at St George's Basilica in Gozo were outstanding proof not only of the artistic ability which the choristers possess but also of their training, discipline and their total dependence on the various expressions required from the director's hands, lips and also facial expressions. Since I was seated in the front row, I could notice how the 62 singers, young and old, sung joyfully, attentively and without any strain on their voice.

Would all the choirs on our island, both parish and all others learn to sing so joyfully and in such a controlled manner, by decreasing the output of the voice and concentrating more on the dynamics required as indicated by the director's hands and other facial expressions!

It's a pity that the Pontifical Mass at the Mdina Cathedral didn't go as smoothly as was planned. I am assured by Mgr Liberto himself that the delay was due to the late arrival of the coaches. In fact the choir had been waiting outside the hotel in time to be picked up.

I wish to thank all those who worked hard to make this visit possible. First and foremost Silvano Pedrollo, the Order's Ambassador to Malta. The Apostolic Nuncio and our Archbishop Mgr Joseph Mercieca, together with my colleagues, the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter, the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech and Mgr Joseph Farrugia, Archpriest of St George's Basilica. As regards the logistic preparation, I would like to thank S. M. Porcaro from the Vatican and A. Callus from Le Meridien-Phoenicia Hotel, Mgr John Azzopardi of the Wignacourt Museum and Claude Busuttil, the executive secretary of the St John's Co-Cathedral Foundation and his team of ushers and wardens who had quite a tough job in trying to accommodate so great a number of people who turned up at St John's for the occasion.

A final word of thanks to the audience whose appreciation of the performance together with the sheer beauty of St John's encouraged the director and choir in making the performance an outstanding and unforgettable event in the annals of our Co-Cathedral.