Feel the Magic of Maltese Music

In full observance of the Health Authorities directives, the Feel the Magic team presented another concert  premiered on the digital platform on Saturday 28 November at 18.00hrs Malta time. This offering was streamed on the Chorus Urbanus You Tube channel and is now available to be watched by the public by clicking on this link:

The concert has been meant  to be a keen exposition of 20^th-century music and featured compositions by Mariella Cassar, John Galea, Paolino Vassallo and Joseph Vella. Three of these composers and the participating artists are home-grown products that stand out as tangible witness of the broader spectrum of musical abilities abounding in our island home. The concert featured a huge dose of vocal music to lyrics penned by Helen Borg, Anton Buttigieg, John Cauchi, Victor Fenech, Joe Friggieri, Giuseppe Regaldi and Michelangelo Buonarroti. The concert was recorded at the Exhibition Hall at the Ministry of Gozo and filmed by CVC Media, directed by Alvin Scicluna.

The participating artists for this indigenous presentation Feel the Magic of Maltese Music included Cassar Maria, Galea Yvonne, Portelli Ruth and Rapa Antonella (sopranos); Galea Noel (bass); Buttigieg Robert (trumpet), Camilleri George (euphonium); Camilleri Francis, Galea John, Lawrence Milica (pianists).

The full programme ran in this order:

1. PETIT VOCALISE             –       John Galea

Antonella Rapa, Soprano

Milica Lawrence, pianist

2. I CRY                                  –        Mariella Cassar

(lyrics: Helen Borg)

Ruth Portelli, Soprano

Milica Lawrence, pianist

3. IL-KEBBIES TAL-FANALI –      Joseph Vella

(lyrics: Anton Buttigieg)

Maria Cassar, Soprano

Milica Lawrence, pianist

4. LA TROVATELLA              –       Paolino Vassallo

(lyrics: Giuseppe Renaldi)

Maria Cassar, Soprano

Milica Lawrence, pianist

5. AWRIKARJA                    –        John Galea

(lyrics: Joe Friggieri)

Antonella Rapa, Soprano

Noel Galea, bass

Milica Lawrence, pianist

6. TRE PREGHIERE            –        Joseph Vella

I   – Mattino

II  – Sera

III – Notte

Robert Buttigieg, trumpet

George Camilleri, euphonium

Francis Camilleri, pianist

7. COLPI D’ARMONIA         –       Mariella Cassar

(lyrics: Michelangelo Buonarroti)

Ruth Portelli, Soprano

Milica Lawrence, pianist

8. PRIMUM MOVENS        –        John Galea

(lyrics: Victor Fenech)

Noel Galea, bass

John Galea, pianist

     9.    Song Cycle – NIRIEN     –   John Galea

(lirika: John Cauchi)

I  –       L-Ghabex

II –       Vulkan

III –      Hiroshima ’45

IV –      Il-Karnival tal-Gwerra

V  –      X’imkien hawn paci

Yvonne Galea, soprano

John Galea, pianist

Feel the Magic 2019-21 is generously supported by Arts Council Malta, the Gozo Cultural Support Programme, Ministry for Gozo and other sponsors.