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CHRISTMAS C16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 DECEMBER 2018 REGJUN Tramuntana for the first time is organising a festival that brings together its 12 localities. The idea of making a festival which brings together all the localities and produce an event as one entity had been brewing for various years It was only when the Department of Local Government allocated the first Economic, Social and Cultural plan budget that this was possible. Our churches are not only a religious monument, they are also a cultural and architectonic heritage, one that brings together the entire region. The idea of a choir festival, made it possible that all localities would take part in this unique festival and pre- sent to the audience an opportunity to see our churches in their glorious ambiance accompanied to the an- gelic tones of the choirs. Today the 9th December, seven foreign choirs coming form Sic- ily, Lithuania, Greece, Sardinia, and Hungary, shall take part in a number of Holy Masses. In the evening, the region presents the final night of this prestigious festival. This final con- cert, starts at 7.15pm, and will take place in Mdina's Cathedral. Taking part are 12 choirs from Malta, Lithu- ania, Sardinia, Hungary, France, Sic- ily, Greece, Spain and Wales. National broadcaster TVM shall be filming and eventually broadcasting this final night closer to Christmas Day. There is no entry fee for any of the concerts, however, a donation which will go for charities working in our region would be appreciated. Marie Therese Vassallo Voice Studio - Malta Vocal Group "Kivi Junior" - Lithuania Cantori della Resurrezione Choir - Sardinia The Hungarian Starlight Youth Choir – Hungary Voca'niz Choir – France Corale Polifonica "Libere Armonie" – Sicily The Mixed Choir of Levadia "Erkyna" - Greece Svento Pranciskaus Pauksteliai Choir – Lithuania Associazione Corale Caras - Sardinia The Hungarian Starlight Adults Choir - Hungary Ex Novo Choir - Spain Cantorion Creigiau Singers – Wales - UK Final Night St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina, 7.15pm SCHOLA Cantorum Jubilate, one of the prominent choirs in our country, is synonymous with the annual event of 'Car- ols by Candlelight'. However, this is quite misleading since the choir is committed all year round performing in different venues and presenting differ- ent productions. Last Septem- ber, the choir was on tour in the Czech Republic where it performed in renowned venues amongst which the churches of St Gall and Our Lady of Victo- ries and at the dominant Ca- thedral of St Vitus, St Wences- las and St Adalbert. This Christmas, the choir will be holding the fifteenth edition of Carols by Candle- light at St Augustine's Priory in Victoria Gozo on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th De- cember. Like in previous editions it will consist of a Christmas concert followed by a five-course meal pre- pared by Ta' Frenċ Restaurant Chefs. This year's programme will include popular and less popular Christmas Classics amongst which 'Silent Night' that is being commemorated for its 200th year anniversary. Among the other pieces, the choir, under the direction of Marouska Attard will inter- pret classical pieces like 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing', 'The First Noel', 'God Rest You Merry Gentlemen!' but also less popular pieces like 'Bur- gundian Carol', an eighteenth century French composition by Bernard de la Monnoye and contemporary piece by Ola Gjeilo - 'Ecce Novum'. Apart from all these, SCJ in- cludes also Maltese compo- sitions in its programme and this year will present an inter- esting musical arrangement of the traditional għanja tal- Milied 'Ninu Ninu tal-Milied'. Paul Portelli, the composer- in-residence worked on this musical arrangement and on another piece 'Sinfonija Pas- torali' originally composed by Emanuel Galea. But obviously surprises will not be missed this year! The programme will blend well with light effects, atmosphere created and even an actor who will help deliver, through her monologues, a particular message to the attendees for this particular time of the year. Paul A. Stellini is this year's artistic director. Stellini is a known local artist who is re- nowned for his graphical and artistic works. The foyer and even the cloister will once again host an exhibition to compli- ment with the chosen theme and event. Victor Agius will launch a new collection of ce- ramic sculptures and mixed artworks. This special collec- tion aims to dialogue with St Augustine's sermons on the mystery of Christmas and the Epiphany. In order to commemorate this 15th edition of Carols by Candlelight, the choir is also launching a new Christmas Album entitled 'Christmasgħanja'. This is un- doubtedly a special keepsake to all those who follow SCJ but mostly to those who have Christmas at heart. The cd includes 21 tracks of popular Christmas classics and some Maltese carols. Tickets for Carols by Can- dlelight are on sale from D'Amato Records Shop in Valletta and Bargate Book- shop in Victoria. For further information and details visit SCJ website (scjchoir.com) or else call us on 79450950. Fol- low even the choir's space on Facebook. The 15th edition of Carols by Candlelight Final Night Ta' Giezu Church, Rabat, 9.45am Corale Polifonica "Libere Armonie" – Sicily St Francis of Assisi Church, Qawra, 11am Svento Pranciskaus Pauksteliai Choir – Lithuania Our Lady of Sorrows Church, St Paul's Bay, 11am The Mixed Choir of Levadia "Erkyna" – Greece Risen Christ Church, Pembroke, 11am Associazione Corale Caras - Sardinia St Oswald's Church, Mtarfa, 11am Cantori della Resurrezione Choir - Sardinia Immaculate Conception Church, Swieqi, 12.15pm Vocal Group "Kivi Junior" - Lithuania St Mary Basilica, Mosta, 11am The Hungarian Starlight Adults Choir - Hungary Programme Malta International Christmas Choir Festival Grand Finale