Peter Farrugia reviews the Cappella Sanctae Catharinae Baroque concert in celebration of the Roman school of polyphony.

The church of St Catherine of Italy in South Street, Valletta, proved the perfect venue for a concert by Cappella Sanctae Catharinae. As Malta’s only male choir, and specialising in Renaissance and Baroque music, a devoted audience were in attendance for this latest selection, O Felix Anima (O Joyful Soul).

With too many churches eschewing their liturgical heritage in favour of more worldly offerings, it is refreshing to witness Cappella Sanctae Catharinae’s dedication to their metier- Peter Farrugia

The group has been active for some four years and is now stronger than ever, influencing the Maltese musical scene with an emphasis on historical harmony.

The church itself (which has been under restoration for the past seven years and has only recently been completed) could not have been better chosen.

Cappella Sanctae Catharinae were instrumental in highlighting awareness of the chapel restoration, performing weekly lunchtime concerts and collecting much-needed donations throughout its renovation.

Once inside, it’s immediately obvious why this was such an important project – the woodwork and tiling, the beautiful ceiling painted in delicate frescoes that look like they’ve been etched in silver point.

Vestry doors are surmounted by silver cornice boards, walls shine white and all is calm; a sense of bright beauty fills the space.

The altar was tastefully dressed and Western-style icons made an elegant change from overtly sentimental pictures.

It was unfortunate that so many of the visitors (invariably tourists) forgot themselves and sauntered up the predella, invading the sanctuary after the concert.

The concert programme set out to celebrate the Roman school of polyphony, through choice music from the late Renaissance and early Baroque.

We were presented with several composers, the greatest of these being Renaissance innovator Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina and flamboyant Baroque composer Francesco Foggia.

The concert began with Palestrina’s Gloriosi Principes, followed by the Kyrie from Foggia’s Missa in Die Laetitiae and Gloria from the same. Next were selections from Carissimi and Animuccia. A particular highlight was Palestrina’s Panis Angelicus. The evening concluded with Foggia’s Vanitas Vanitatum, a rather dramatic piece and perhaps, an acquired taste. The encore featured a section from this last – if only they had given us another Palestrina!

Palestrina’s flowing music is vitally dynamic, carefully controlled melody and beauty in symmetry. He is the greatest example of the Roman school, and it is his style that has become emblematic of polyphonic perfection.

It is through the Council of Trent’s influence (the Catholic reaction to burgeoning Protestantism) that the Roman school developed a style of its own at all, embracing the council’s decisions that polyphonic texts must be sung in as comprehensible a manner possible and that the dignity of the music’s substance shouldn’t be obscured by its stylistic virtuosity.

Foggia’s later work, firmly rooted in the Italian Baroque, experiments more freely and broadly and in the process produces music that has a different kind of relationship with a listener.

It’s not Palestrina’s aspiration towards the sublime, but altogether more human; a personal favourite is the motet O Quam Clemens, which highlights this composer’s playful and innovative approach. The concert was broken up into segments, threaded through with well-chosen historical remarks delivered by pianist and singer Alexander Vella Gregory.

It is his passion, and the passion of the other singers in this group, that keep an appreciation of Renaissance music alive in Malta.

With too many churches (practically every parish in Malta) eschewing their liturgical heritage in favour of more worldly offerings, in the misguided belief that sustaining congregations involves pandering to mass appeal, it is refreshing to witness Cappella Sanctae Catharinae’s dedication to their metier.

Audiences look forward to their next concert (perhaps it will focus more on music of the Renaissance) and members of the public who have yet to hear the choir perform are encouraged to attend. This unique display of Maltese talent deserves our continued support.