Oratorio at St John's Co-Cathedral

Inspired by the exemplary life of a man who was already a "part-time saint on earth", poet Oliver Friggieri has penned an oratorio to celebrate Dun Gorg Preca's living moments.

The oratorio, with music by Charles Camilleri, will be performed at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta, on June 15 and 17, to mark the canonisation of Malta's first saint, which will take place at the Vatican, on Sunday.

"The oratorio has been presented in a simple way that details the life of Dun Gorg as a young boy, his call and vision, and eventual glorification; three poetic moments," Prof. Friggieri said.

Prof. Camilleri has added the timbre of the Maltese musical language with folklore elements to the work, titled Dun Gorg.

The orchestra and choir of the Collegium Musicum, who will be interpreting the oratorio, will be under the baton of Mro Dione Buhagiar, with Mario Bisazza as the orchestra's leader.

Two of Malta's top sopranos, Claire Caruana and Claire Massa, together with tenor Charles Vella Zarb, will take the audience through a journey of the saint's life.

Speaking at a press conference to launch this event, Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said he will never forget the day when everybody met to discuss the oratorio's presentation.

"Back then, we were still speaking about the oratorio as a celebration to mark the 100 years from when the MUSEUM was first set up. I had sensed the possibility that it could very well mark another historic event - Dun Gorg's canonisation," he said.

"The news that he would be canonised in the same year as the centennial events meant a double celebration. The ministry is making sure to absorb the costs of this oratorio and present it as a national celebration," Dr Zammit Dimech added.

Both MUSEUM superiors general, Victor Delicata and Phyllis Falzon, welcomed this production, which they said would serve to highlight the qualities of their founder and encourage others to walk in his footsteps.

In an attempt to ensure that the audience can easily follow the oratorio, the ministry has asked Philip Farrugia Randon to read out the story behind this cultural and musical effort before it starts. A small booklet, in both Maltese and English, will also be published.

The oratorio will be presented on June 15, at 8.30 p.m., with a repetition on June 17, at 8 p.m. Attendance is by invitation on both nights. However, invitations for the second date can be obtained from the ministry, in Merchants' Street, Valletta.

It will also be screened on TVM at a later date.