Choir goes global

The New Choral Singers will present Songs for Summer, a choral concert of international compositions to celebrate musical cultures from around the globe, as part of the Malta Arts Festival in the central courtyard of Auberge d'Italie (MTA offices), Merchants Street, Valletta, on Monday at 9 p.m.

This year the concert has been given an international theme whereby the selected repertoire, of both sacred and secular compositions, journeys three continents with music that spans the eras from mediaeval to modern day.

The 45-strong ensemble will be under the direction of Robert Calleja.

They will perform a selection of international compositions from L-aħħar Bidwi f'Wied il-Għasel to the Negro spiritual I'm Gonna Sing.

The evening's programme also features works by celebrated composers such as Edward Elgar and Gerald Finzi, as well as contemporary acclaimed musicians John Rutter and Karl Jenkins.

Adopting different formations, the chamber section of the choir will also perform two short madrigals and a medley of tunes from the American musicals penned by Jerome Kern.

Romina Morrow will be accompanying the singers on the piano while the locally renowned bass Albert Buttigieg will be the soloist for the evening.

Admittance to the performance is free of charge.

Established in 1994, The New Choral Singers is a four-voice mixed ensemble. Over the years the choir has acquired a discrete reputation within the local choir scene due to numerous performances in select venues such as St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, the Mdina Metropolitan Cathedral, St Paul's Pro-Anglican Cathedral, Bir Miftuħ chapel and many others.

Further information may be obtained from the choir's website at www.thenewchoralsingers.com, maltaculture.com and maltaartsfestival.com.