The Augustinian Priory friars opened their doors to an audience of music lovers, including US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley and Gerard Winstanley, who enjoyed a candlelit carols concert.

The priory is not usually open to the public but this special occasion was to raise funds for the restoration of the medieval altarpiece of the Madonna of Mercy.

The evening began with a celebration of Christmas music at St Mark’s church, built in 1588 by Girolamo Cassar. The VOCA choir (pictured) treated its audience to a medley of classical music, traditional English and Maltese carols, as well as a few gospel numbers they are renowned for.

Following the concert, guests proceeded to the priory’s indoor cloister for dinner.

The event was organised by Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar who is in the process of restoring the priory’s medieval altarpiece with the help of the Farsons Foundation, Hilltop Gardens and Banif Bank.

This polyptych altarpiece, thought to date to about 1430, is considered to be one of the most significant art treasures in Malta, due to not only the rarity of medieval art in Malta but especially because of its outstanding quality.

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