The Manoel Theatre is presenting a concert for Holy Week at the church of St Francis of Assisi in Republic Street, Valletta.
The concert will feature the renowned Ghislieri Choir and Consort, who will perform Leonardo Leo’s Dove fuggo, a che penso, Niccolò Jommelli’s Miserere and will revive a highly interesting composition, namely the Improperia per il Venerdì santo, by the renowned Maltese composer Benigno Zerafa (1726-1804).
As its name implies, this work is ideal for performance during Holy Week. Zerafa was clearly influenced by the Neapolitan School, pupil of Francesco Feo (1691-1761) and fellow-Maltese Gerolamo Abos (1715-1760).
Directed by Giulio Prandi, the Ghislieri Choir and Consort is the ensemble-in-residence at the historic Ghislieri College of Pavia and is one of the most successful emerging ensembles in Europe.
Ghislieri Choir and Consort has a special relationship with Malta and Valletta in particular. Collegio Ghislieri in Pavia is the alma mater of this accomplished baroque ensemble and it was founded by Pope Pius V, who also funded the building of Valletta in the 17th century. The Pope Pius bust by Algardi is in front of the law courts in Valletta. Ghislieri was the pope’s family name.
Manoel Theatre artistic director Kenneth Zammit Tabona said: “It is our intention to extend the season by having seasonal concerts in churches and palaces besides the theatre on the same lines as the baroque festival. Last Christmas the Charpentier Litanies de La Vierge and Pastorales de Noel at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces was extremely successful, which is why it was decided to have a dedicated concert of music for Holy Week.”
The concert, supported by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, takes place tomorrow at 7.30pm . Tickets are available online or by calling on 2124 6389.
www.teatrumanoel.com.mt