Oratorio at Gudja
Wednesday 31st October
2007 at 20:00 hrs
History, Culture & Music
Teachers and students of history should not miss the
Oratorio LEJN MARIJA MTELLGHA S-SEMA (libretto:
Mario Gatt & Marisa Abela; music: Tony Pace) which is being
performed as part of the official celebrations marking the
second century from the statue of Santa Marija at Gudja.
The old parish of Santa Marija ta' Bir Miftuh
The year was 1807, Britain was slowly taking control over the
Maltese Islands. Compared to the last years under the Knights' Rule
and to the disastrous blockade against the French, the Maltese were
doing quite well. The Maltese were tapping the economic advantages
arising out of Napoleon's boycott of British goods on the Continent.
A certain Dun Tumas Zammit of Gudja collected enough funds to
commission the statue of SANTA MARIJA that is still taken in
procession round the village streets of Gudja every 15th August. The
artistic statue was sculpted out of wood by Vincenzo Dimech
in1807.
The libretto for the Oratorio was researched by Mario Gatt and
its lyrics adapted by Dr Marisa Abela. Tony Pace composed its music.
The libretto adopts a historical approach, tracing man's
presence on the Maltese Islands with special reference to the
inhabitants of the old Parish of Bir Miftuħ. The Oratorio in fact
consists of an overview of Maltese History as seen by different
personalities; the Basso (Alfred Camilleri) represents personalities
hailing from Gudja; the Tenor (Arthur Micallef) represents other
non-local personalities like the Curates and Parish Priests of Bir
Miftuh and Napoleon. Female villagers are represented by Soprano
Joanne Mifsud and Contralto Alexandra Ellul.
An innovation in the oratorio is the inclusion of the Corangeli
(Jonathan Sciberras, Stefan Caruana, Sarah Mifsud, Tiziana Mifsud,
Roberta Fenech and Deborah Pace) who, singing a cappella,
aptly invoke the help of Santa Marija throughout the turbulent
patches of Maltese history besides joining the other soloists during
some parts of the Oratorio.
The Sine Macula Choir of Safi and the Assumpta Est Choir of Gudja
directed by Stefan Caruana have joined forces to perform the
Gatt/Abela/Pace Oratorio.
Orchestra, soloists and choirs will be under the direction of
Tony Pace.
If you are interested in this activity, you can take a look at
the Oratorio's lyrics and listen to midifiles with its music by
logging onto the Sine Macula Choir's website at: http://schoolnet.gov.mt/sinemaculachoir.
The Oratorio LEJN MARIJA MTELLGHA S-SEMA will be staged as
follows:
Date: October 31st
2007
Place: Gudja Parish
Church
Time:
8.00pm
Entrance is free. Please be seated by
7.45pm.
The statue by Vincenzo Dimech, 200 years old in
2007
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