The annual Epiphany Concert was held at the Gozo Cathedral, Victoria, on January 4 by the Gozo Cultural Committee in collaboration with the Cathedral Chapter.

The audience that packed the cathedral was regaled with a number of classical Christmas pieces and other music performed by the Classique Orchestra, under the direction of Joseph Debrincat.

The concert was further enhanced with the participation of the two Gozitan sopranos, Claudia Tabone and Rosabelle Pavia.

The concert started with a medley of Christmas carols, followed by classics such as Adeste Fidelis, Mille Cherubini in Coro by Alois Melichar, a Fastasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Tu scendi dalle Stelle by Alfons Maria de’ Liguori, and Gesù Bambino by Pietro Yon.

This was followed by the intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Bells across the Meadows, which was composed in Gozo by Albert W. Ketelbey, drawing his inspiration from church bells during World War I.

Next in the programme was White Christmas by Irving Berlin and A Holy Night by Adolphe Adam. The Sinfonia Pastorale by Emanuele Galea, edited by Mro Debrincat, enthralled the audience, many of whom had never heard it before.

A Christmas Festival of Songs concluded the evening. The audience gave the conductor, orchestra, and singers a standing ovation for which it was rewarded with an encore of the concluding piece.