The Malta Independent on Sunday
4th Making Music Malta International Festival a resounding success
Four concerts were held between 11 and 15 October for the fourth edition of ‘Gloria’, Making Music Malta International Music Festival under the patronage of the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government Dr Owen Bonnici.
The North West Festival Choir under the direction of Dr John Bethell MBE performed various choral choruses from Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’, Luigi Cherubini’s, Gabriel Fauré’s and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ mass together with a selection of pieces from Felix Mendelssohn’s oratorio ‘Elijah’ and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘Solemn Vespers’ concluding with George Frideric Handel’s ‘Hallelujah’ from the Messsiah.
Local soprano Stephanie Degiorgio Wismayer, bass Albert Buttigieg and organist Graham Kirkland accompaned the choir during the week.
Concerts were held in parish chirches of Birżebbuġa, Ħal Safi and Ħ’Attard and a final performance was given when the choir sang the hymns for the Sunday service at St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral and after gave a short recital at The Undercroft.
On behalf od the organising committee, Alexis Callus mentioned that discussions had already started for the 5th Gloria that will hopefully take place in October 2019. Dr John Bethell said”This was the best Gloria ever, I am delighted to be back in Malta and look forward ot may more returnes.” The festival choir, formed from members of various choirs in the North West of the British Iles and the Isle of Man, assembled in Malta for the week of making music and only got together for a general rehearsal after landing last week. Their experiance in the slected pieces and the skill of John Bethell were the main ingrediants of the overall success.
This event is made possible with the assistance of the Malta Tourism Authority, the Local Councils and the Parishes of Birżebbuġa, Safi and Attard together with the rector of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Rev. Can. Simon Godfrey. Further support was also given by Bio-D natural claning products and Spherical design.