Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1393937
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 JULY 2021 7 CULTURE EVER since its inception in 2002, the Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra, consisting of two separate groups of young and promising musicians, have been entertaining the general pub- lic with a wide range of stylistic repertoire to the enjoyment of all age-groups. Hailing from all over Gozo (and enriched with proficient guest musicians including for- eign residents residing on the island), these young musicians meet regularly to prepare a wide spectrum of musical genre to be performed in various high-calib- er events held from time to time in Gozo and Malta. The whole concept behind this project, (originating after a suc- cessful tour by The Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band & Orchestra in 2001), be- sides creating the opportunity to young talented musicians per- form in the collective manner, is to create a new approach to concert performances by near- ly-similar ensembles and strives to explore new/innovative as- pects of presenting its perfor- mances. Following twelve previous suc- cessful editions of Opera vs Pop Under the Stars, the Gozo Youth Orchestra in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo and Em- bassy of the United States of America, will hold its concert on Monday 2 August 2021 at 8:30 p.m. Patrons are requested to be seated at 8.15 p.m. The concert will be hosted by the Gozo minister Clint Camill- eri and Chargé d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy, Wendy Green. All health protocols and limited ca- pacity guideline will be strictly adhered to. The concert will feature So- prano Nicola Said (Malta), Bass Noel Galea (Gozo, Malta), Pop Tenor Ludwig Galea (Malta), Pop Tenor Francesco Nico- deme (Malta) and Pop Singer Sarah Bonnici (Gozo, Malta). The first part of the programme will consist of classical and op- eratic songs and arias, followed by an array of lighter pop ar- rangements from soundtracks and musicals in the second part. Tickets strictly by reserva- tion and available by emailing: gozowindbandorchestra@ya- hoo.co.uk or 9942 1611. This event is being put up in collaboration with the Min- istry for Gozo, the American Embassy, the Culture Section within the Ministry for Gozo, Cisk Lager, Kinnie, Duke Bou- tique Hotel, and MTA. Opera vs Pop... under the stars ON Saturday 10 July 2021 at the Grand Hotel Excelsior a book launch of a new publica- tion entitled, Id-Dumnikani fil-Birgu (The Dominicans in Vittoriosa) was held. The book is authored by Mr. Anton At- tard, and published by the Vit- toriosa Organising Committee for the 8th Centenary of the death of St. Dominic. Despite various attempts by many historians to document the history of the Dominicans in Vittoriosa, all their works were either limited to a par- ticular era, or too brief to do justice to the rich history be- hind the Dominican presence in the Birgu since their arrival in 1528. After more than 30 years of research in the Conventual Ar- chives of the Annunciation Pri- ory of Vittoriosa and beyond, Anton Attard succeeds in col- lecting together all the various facets surrounding the Domin- ican presence in Birgu. With great skill the author manages to harmonise various histori- cal sources and joins them to- gether in one consistent stream that quenches the desire for the complete articulation of the history of the Dominicans in Vittoriosa. The book is divided into twelve chapters starting from the foundation of the first re- ligious community in Malta outside the safety of the unas- sailable Imdina; moving on to survey how the Dominicans contributed to the pastoral care of the people of Birgu; and the continual development of the structures of their priory and conventual Church. The reader is reminded once again of the artistic legacy that the Domin- icans in Vittoriosa managed to build through their commis- sions to some of the finest art- ists and artisans across the ages. The various historical land- marks, which carry a signifi- cance to the Order of Preach- ers and the Church in Malta at large, that were achieved in the Dominican Church of the An- nunciation are also noted with great detail. Amongst which, one reads about the establish- ment of the first Rosary Con- fraternity in Malta, which this year commemorates the 450th anniversary since its inception. In this new publication An- ton Attard pays particular at- tention to the various artefacts that adorned the Dominican Church of the Annunciation prior to its destruction in 1941 during the blitzes of World War II. He also visits the begin- ning of the external festivities in honour of Saint Dominic in Vittoriosa, and the original contribution that the many Dominican supporters of Birgu had given to the cultural devel- opment of the Maltese Festa. To name a few, the first cloth decorations hanging in the streets, the hoisting of a statue onto a street pedestal, and the celebratory parades on the eve of the feast known as Il-Marċ tat-Te Deum. The unforgot- ten festivities held in Vittorio- sa by the Dominicans in 1922, almost a hundred years ago, to mark the 7th centenary from the death of St. Dominic are al- so revisited by Attard in great historical detail. Yet the major contribution of this new publication is the collection of the post-War events that the Dominicans of Vittoriosa went through, after the destruction of their much beloved Church and Priory. The author manages to gather the historical facts, and com- plements them with various memoirs of the hardships faced by the Dominican friars and the bravery of their support- ers, who contributed with skill, funding, and devotion to the reconstruction of what was lost during the War. Finally, the reader may also enjoy a Supplementary chapter on the history of the Prince of Wales Own Band Club of Vit- toriosa. The Club, whose histo- ry has not yet been so far col- lected in one place, has always cherished strong ties with the Dominicans, and the feast of St. Dominic in Birgu. The innovative contribution that is gained by Anton At- tard's work in this new book, published in the year com- memorating the 8th Centenary from the death of St. Dom- inic, is the anthological and researched collection of all things relating to the Domin- icans in Vittoriosa, accompa- nied by more than 85 historical and modern pictures. The his- tory related in Id-Dumnikani fil-Birgu is not only presented as hard evidence, drawn from the manuscripts stored within the Conventual archives, but it is also at times seasoned by the memories of those who lived it. A copy of the book may be acquired from the Convent of the Annunciation of Vittorio- sa, or by sending an email on birguop@gmail.com. History of Vittoriosa Dominicans