Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1407680
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 SEPTEMBER 2021 5 MUSIC FOLLOWING two very success- ful virtual series, the 'abnormal' 14th edition of Gaulitana: A Fes- tival of Music is being brought to an end with a series of live public events in Gozo. In full compli- ance with the health and safety regulations issued by the health authorities, "GauLive" is being scheduled between September 10 and October 9, and intends to give some much-needed breath to live yet safe performing. This series opens on Friday, September 10, with a quite atypical concert at the Ministry for Gozo's Courtyard. Entitled "Nostalġija", this features the Gaulitanus Choir, its soprano soloists, Anna Bonello, Patricia Buttigieg, Stephanie Portelli and Annabelle Zammit, violin- ist Pierre Louis Attard and pia- nist Milica Lawrence in a num- ber of Maltese compositions ingrained in local traditions. Amongst others, these include Joseph Vella's "Rapsodija Malt- ija", Stephen Attard's "Żewġ Għanjiet minn Għawdex", Charles Camilleri's "Hames Kanti Popolari" and Carmelo Pace's very well-known "L-Im- narja". The second concert is a world-class event. Interna- tionally-renowned musician Wayne Marshall will be giving a much-expected organ recital in Gozo for the first time. This will be held at the Xewkija Ro- tunda on Saturday, September 18. A week later, Friday 24, sees the Armed Forces of Malta Band returning with a public concert in Gozo after a long absence. Under the direction of Captain Jonathan Borg, they will present a very varied open- air concert again at the Minis- try for Gozo's Courtyard. The Gaulitanus Choir itself is back on Saturday October 2 with a wholly choral con- cert of sacred music, "Songs of Praise". The occasion is a unique one as the choir will be interpreting numbers in the English language specifically arranged for the choir (mostly by its founder-director Col- in Attard) over the years and, so far, interpreted only by the Gaulitanus Choir. The last week of the festival then features two concerts, both linked with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. An MPO's chamber ensemble will give a very intimate concert on Tuesday, October 5, whereas the whole orchestra will be in attendance for the symphon- ic finale on Saturday, October 9. The latter, being held at the Teatru tal-Opra Aurora, will be the MPO's first full-scale ap- pearance in Gozo since 2019. Conducted by Gaulitana artis- tic director, Colin Attard, the main item will be Beethoven majestic Symphony No. 3, the "Eroica". This will not only, finally albeit forcibly belated- ly, commemorate Beethoven 250th birth celebrations, but also provide a fitting tribute to all who has played their part during the past very challeng- ing year and a half. Not least, it will be a most fitting close to a 14th edition of "Gaulitana: A Festival of Music", which, de- spite all odds and let downs, has heroically and stoically made sure not to miss being very present in 2021. All concerts start at 20.00hrs. Further information will be found on the facebook page Gaulitana: A Festival of Music and www.gaulitanus.com. The limited seating is strictly by reservation on bookings.gauli- tana@gmail.com . Gaulitana: A Festival of Music is principally supported by the Gozo Cultural Support Pro- gramme of Arts Council Malta and the Ministry for Gozo. Gaulitana festival returns with live events Above: Wayne Marshall (photo Stefan Hank). Below: On the 24 the Armed Forces of Malta Band performed a public concert in Gozo after a long absence. Under the direction of Captain Jonathan Borg, they will present a very varied open-air concert again at the Ministry for Gozo's Courtyard.