Hitting theHigh Notes
People passing by in front of Mro Colin Attard’s house might be slightly surprised to hear choral singing emanating from its windows. The Gozitan choir Gaulitanus, in fact, often meets to rehearse at Mro Attard’s house. “Yes, the choir’s haven and rehearsal room is my own house,” smiles the Maestro, “which, as you can imagine, is very often full to the brim and resounding with a few extra decibels. We are a non-profit-making organisation whose members are all volunteers, so our resources are extremely limited,” he explains.
The programme is varied and includes various genres. So a Grand Ballet Concert by the Moscow Ballet Theatre, being held at the Aurora Theatre on 18 April as part of their European tour 2009, contrasts with a Gospel choir and intimate chamber formations. Other novelties include an event where the choir’s own soloists will present a concert of British Folk Music set in the relaxing atmosphere of a typically British afternoon tea. “It has also been a regular feature in the festival’s editions to sometimes juxtapose musical sounds with the flavours of the local/foreign cuisine,” says Mro Attard, so a ‘La Maltija Night’ with local music and food will also be included.”
This has, however, not stopped Gaulitanus from growing substantially since its setting up in 1990; in the past three years, the Gozitan choir is also behind the organization of an Easter festival of music, Gaulitana: A Festival of Music. This year, this will run between 6 April and 3 May, with the choir itself opening and closing the festival with a sacred and a secular concert respectively.
The programme is varied and includes various genres. So a Grand Ballet Concert by the Moscow Ballet Theatre, being held at the Aurora Theatre on 18 April as part of their European tour 2009, contrasts with a Gospel choir and intimate chamber formations. Other novelties include an event where the choir’s own soloists will present a concert of British Folk Music set in the relaxing atmosphere of a typically British afternoon tea. “It has also been a regular feature in the festival’s editions to sometimes juxtapose musical sounds with the flavours of the local/foreign cuisine,” says Mro Attard, so a ‘La Maltija Night’ with local music and food will also be included.”
The festival also seeks to encourage local upcoming talent with a concert entitled “Youth and Music”. “While last year this featured young Austrian performers, this year this will feature local budding and up-and-coming musicians.”
Performers also include a balance of foreign and local talent with some artists coming specifically for the festival from abroad as well as foreign artists residing in Malta, Maltese performers and Gozitan talent.
Coming from a Latin word meaning “of Gozo”, Gaulitanus reflects the spectrum of members who form part of the choir, coming from all over Gozo, says Mro Attard. It was founded as Gozo’s only secularly-orientated choir and the only one not affiliated to any parish, band club or theatre in the sister island. Since then, it has been growing, now numbering almost 40, albeit only very few faces remain from the choir’s first official formations, he says. Yet, its spirit and principles have been mostly retained.
Throughout its career, it has also performed abroad, namely England (1995), Germany (1997), Holland (1999), Greece (2001) and Corsica (2001, 2002 and 2007); besides the issue of three Cds namely Sacred in Opera, Maria – A Celebration of Marian Hymns, and the very recent Gaulitanus at Christmas.
And the future is looking promising, says Mro Attard. Recently the choir has attracted quite a few young choristers, he says, keeping enthusiasm levels high. “And with next year being the choir’s 20th anniversary, I augur that during the coming year the Gaulitanus will tackle and propose bigger and more interesting challenges.”
Concerts at the Gaulitana:
A Festival of Music are generally free except where food and drinks are offered. The Grand Ballet Concert is against payment. Visit the choir’s site www.gaulitanus.com for programme details and bookings. The festival is sponsored by the Ministry for Gozo and the Gozo Culture Section, the Ministry for Education and Culture, Malta Council for Culture & the Arts, Abraham’s Supplies, Banif Bank, Arkadia, and supported by the Ta’ Cenc Hote, Downtown and the Gharb and Xewkija local councils.