Two Vittoriosa personalities remembered

February saw two significant musical events at Vittoriosa - indeed a remarkable achievement in this old city which is seeking to establish itself as a venue for cultural events.

The two occasions commemorated two leading personalities who contributed with their specific line of activity to the national heritage.

The Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society would like to express its satisfaction at these two concerts and to congratulate the organisers. Both events were co-ordinated by Lino Bugeja and generously subscribed by Vittoriosa council.

The St Lawrence Band, in association with the Collegiate Chapter of St Lawrence, organised an orchestral academy at St Lawrence Church to commemorate the centenary of the death of sacred music composer Mro Canon Luigi Fenech. He wrote innumerable hymns and responsorials with Latin lyrics, but his most renowned work is undoubtedly the antiphon to St Lawrence.

On its part the Historical and Cultural Society marked the occasion by restoring the marble tablet affixed to the house where he lived on Vittoriosa Square.

The other concert was held at the Annunciation church and was organised by the Prince of Wales Band and the Dominican Community.

The attention was on Vittoriosa-born historian, Rev. Professor Andrew Vella, OP, who is considered the father of the scientific study of Maltese history.

The Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society is proud that Professor Vella was one of its pioneer committee members. The society paid tribute to him by featuring his bibliography, along with that of other authors from Vittoriosa, in the Pronostku Malti of 1992.