British choir to give five concerts

One of the finest and longest-running British choirs will be in Malta this week to perform a series of free concerts.

The Emanuel Youth Choir will be lending its voices to a set of five concerts and a Mass between July 14 and 19.

The choir was established in 1594, during the reign of Elizabeth I. Along the years, various famous musical directors led the choir and recorded various albums with Benjamin Britten such as The Spring Symphony.

Winner of the National Festival of Music for Youths, the choir will leave for the US shortly to give various concerts followed by a series of concerts in the English cathedrals.

The first concert in Malta will be held on Thursday at Ta'Giezu church, in Valletta at 7 p.m. when the choir will perform the Requiem by John Rutter and other sacred motets.

The second concert will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina. The evening repertoire includes pieces from Mozart's Requiem, Kyrie and Domine Jesu.

On Saturday, the Emanuel Youth Choir will be presenting a concert at the church of the Holy Trinity, in Sliema. The evening's repertoire includes hymns and compositions by famous English composers.

On Sunday, it will animate the 10 a.m. Mass at the church of St John of the Cross, in Ta' Xbiex. They will perform the Messe Solonelle by Louis Vierne.

The next day, on July 18, the choir will cross over to Gozo and give another performance at the basilica of Marija Bambina in Xaghra. The last concert will be held at the parish church of St Lawrence, in Vittoriosa.

The event is being organised by the Schola Cantorum Jubilate choir, which is marking its fifth anniversary.

For further information visit the website on www.scjchoir.com or call 7905 5207.