The Grand Priory of the Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem – Knights of Malta organised a recital of sacred music by the St Paul Chamber Ensemble and a rendering of excerpts of the epic poem in Maltese, Ġrajjiet l-Assedju 1565, by poet Charles Mifsud, to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege

The recital took place at St Augustine’s church in Valletta. The orchestra, under the direction of Mark Agius, presented works by Bach, Schubert, Mozart and Franck, with the participation of sopranos Michaela Agius, Karen Gatt Darmenia and Anita Vella Bondin, mezzo soprano Christine Dalli, tenor Arthur Micallef, baritone Louis Andrew Cassar and bass James Vella Bondin.

Mifsud read parts of the920-verse poem. A donation was also presented to parish priest Deo Debono.

The order was also invited to participate in celebrations in Xagħra, in conjunction with the local council.

Members of the council, together with several knights and dames of the order, attended thanksgiving Mass, led by Mgr George Bugeja.

This was followed by re-enactments and displays, after which wreaths were laid at the foot of the statue of Our Lady.

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