Spreading joy through the arts

Voices have done it again. It was another experience of sheer talent and how over 300 persons got together to spread joy through singing while doing it all for commendable causes. The choir itself is 200 strong and when one adds the band, the hard-working committee, the people who work backstage and all those who provide one form or other of logistic support, there are another hundred persons involved.

I was only too pleased to be there on the very first night. I have followed Voices from their inception in 1991. As I enjoyed the happening, I asked myself a few questions, which I would love to share with you.

What is the major formula behind the success of Voices?

There are various factors, but probably the most important ingredient is that all the persons involved are doing it from the heart. There is no profit motif involved. Any money made through the concerts is ploughed into philanthropic causes and the people who spend months on end to make sure that the audience enjoys it, do so without getting paid for it.

What does it all prove?

The joy of giving - of doing one's bit for the community and for the causes one believes in surpasses all other considerations. When we try to measure success in life only in monetary terms, we would be missing the deeper truth about what happiness should be all about.

Does the quality of the production suffer because of this?

Quite the contrary. The love to do it includes the love to give all details the attention that they deserve. The one agony that the organisers face whenever an event of this nature takes place is that there are more people wanting to come forward and take part than can be accepted. VOICES happenings are successful because the audience has grown accustomed to expect quality and the organisers have always made sure that the audience goes back highly satisfied.

Any special moment you particularly enjoyed?

During Part One, I particularly enjoyed Patrick Wirth's and Lara Lanfranco's interpretation of One by U2 and Mary J. Blige. Part One ended with a wonderful rendition of He lives in you by Elton John (from The Lion King - remember the song about the senior lion still living in his cub?) by three young people from the Congo - Erick, Pitchen and Jacky.

In Part Two, I loved Edward Camilleri and Rachel Fabri's version of Time to say goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brighton. I still think of Rachel as Annie in the musical of that name as staged in Malta by Masquerade. She looked like a more grown-up Annie in this number - exuding with more charm and refined talent.

The other performers?

There was one common denominator - each giving of his or her best and as they were genuinely enjoying it, they carried the audience with them. Performers like Petra Micallef, David Ellul Mercer, Raquela Dalli Gonzi, Andrew Barberi, Stephen Ferrito, Martin Chetcuti, Max Dingli, Lello Ebejer, Jackie Pace Delicata and Louisa Wirth have taken part in former editions of Voices and come across with the benefit of experience. Newcomers on their part bring in new energy and talent streams. The end result is a joyful happening where credit is due to the entire team that has worked relentlessly to make it happen.

Any other mentions?

It is impossible to list all involved. Still, a special tribute is due to Martina Caruana who is directing Voices for the second time. She is a true professional in all the work that she undertakes with utmost dedication and her input is leaving a marked and positive effect. Equally our gratitude is due to assistant choir directors Joe Cachia and clearly Tony Vella, who has very much been the man behind the whole concept of Voices since its birth.

What is the theme this year?

It's all about One Family. Roger Calleja, chairman of the Voices committee in his foreword reminds us that we should not think only of the traditional family, "but also of other individuals who through unfortunate circumstances beyond their control, live in very uncomfortable and often dangerous situations and most of all feel alone... They too form part of our bigger family. With these concerts, the Voices team would like to focus on how we all form part of a larger picture - it being a family, a local community, a nation, etc."

Your recommendation?

I wouldn't miss the event, if I were you. There are not too many seats left, and certainly not on weekends. I would check out for any remaining seats on other days and make sure to be there.

Any other suggestions?

There is another celebration of the arts which I would encourage all readers to participate in. I am referring to Malta's first ever Notte Bianca being organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts within the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It is happening on Saturday night and carries on to Sunday morning (see pages 50, 51, 54). Many people I know are attending Voices on Saturday and who have already made plans to remain in town to attend as many of the Notte Bianca events as possible.

What is Notte Bianca - Lejl Imdawwal all about?

It had originally kicked off in Paris, and is now popular in such cities as Rome, Turin, Milan, Padua, Madrid, Riga, Helsinki, Brussels, and Montreal. For me the holding of this event in Malta is a dream come true. I had mentioned the concept to the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and soon enough the council's CEO, Dr Paul Mifsud had asked Maryanne Cauchi to travel to Rome and come back with a full report on the event, how it is held and how it can take place in Malta. Maryann came back with a detailed report that added to our enthusiasm.

Maryann is now co-ordinating it all and I know and appreciate that she has been working on it on a 24/7 basis for the past weeks. Hats off to her for seeing to it, with dedication, energy and a sense of delight. No detail is being spared.

What is happening exactly?

From City Gate to the Mediterranean Conference Centre, from Upper Barracca to across Independence Square, a myriad of arts and culture is brought about in such a way that one can enjoy several events of a different genre in various prestigious locations throughout the same night.

The programme includes arts, sculpture, photography, film, fashion, music, theatre, dance, literature, folklore and history. There will be guided and animated tours, a children's area including educational entertainment and indoor sport activities. Museums will remain open for viewing and several restaurants and cafes will carry on serving patrons.

The array of artistic and cultural activities is a guarantee for a night to remember.

At what time does it take place?

It starts this Saturday at 5 p.m. and carries on until Sunday at 6 a.m. That's 13 (hope you're not superstitious!) hours that are jam packed with a multitude of arts and culture events in our capital city. Please be there - and be part of it.

The event also includes the Military Tattoo with bands from Italy, UK, Egypt and Malta. That happens on Palace Square. At the same time a Mozart evening takes place at the Manoel Theatre, later Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet take over the same theatre, sports events will be held at St Albert the Great College, street theatre by an Italian theatrical ensemble evolves on Freedom Square, drama unfolds at St James Cavalier, Contact Dance Company premiere three new choreographic works at MITP, St Christopher Street.

Maltese music will be played on old instruments by the Gukulari Ensemble at the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Maltese folk music is played at the Lower Barracca, a fashion show with a difference takes place at Hastings, super young artists take over St Michael's Bastions, the Opera House ruins come again to life through a concert of actors who will perform both old and modern songs with a hint of tradition, accompanied by instruments or a cappella, Carnival dances take place at Great Siege Square, Auberge de Castille's courtyard hosts Schola Cantorum Jubilate - now a well established youth choir, later Tribali - a group of Maltese musicians who came together to celebrate their love of world music take over the Opera House ruins, and is-"City" (Charles Gatt) will be among the established artistes taking part.

That list is not exhaustive and apologies to so many who are not mentioned! That is also apart from organised tours until late evening at the Armoury, St John's Co-Cathedral, National Archaeology Museum, the recently discovered shelter beneath the Church of St Augustine, and more... and more...

Other details?

Public transport will run through the night and the Gozo Channel service will also have extra trip especially for this purpose.

Still thinking about it?

Come over and enjoy how the arts and culture make all the difference in our lives and for our country. It's all about spreading joy through the arts.

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