Music is a powerful tool in bringing together different cultures, which is why the Xagħra council chose to send its resident choir, the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, to celebrate a twinning with the Breton town of Chevaigné.
The choir’s finely balanced voices rang beautifully across this magnificent Neo-Classical structure
This young and energetic choir was set up in 2000, and has since firmly established itself on the local music scene. They have also performed in many prestigious venues across Europe, including Rome, Vienna and Assisi. This time, it was the choir’s turn to sing in Brittany, one of France’s most picturesque and particular regions.
The contingent’s visit also coincided with a visit from a group from Mergo, a small Italian village with which they also have a twinning agreement. This created a very festive atmosphere in this otherwise sleepy village.
The people of Chevaigné were very welcoming right from the start and even created a special flashmob that they taught to both visiting groups. By the end of the stay, everyone had gotten over the initial awkwardness and was dancing away like crazy.
The choir performed in several venues across the region. Their first performance was a concert at the nearby cathedral of St Peter in Rennes; the choir’s finely balanced voices rang beautifully across this magnificent Neo-Classical structure. The programme showcased music by Palestrina, Bartolucci, Tallis and others.
The following morning, the choir offered to animate Mass at the parish church of Chevaigné. This quaint little building is everything you would expect a small village church to be. It is small and sweet, but above all welcoming. The Mass was packed and afterwards the congregation congratulated the choir for rendering the service so special.
That evening the choir returned to the same church to present a programme of secular music. They were joined by two local choirs who performed French and Breton songs. The Schola Cantorum Jubilate then performed a selection of Maltese, English and Italian music. Soprano Marouska Attard performed La Pastorella, and bass Albert Buttigieg sang La Calunnia, both by Rossini. They were accompanied on the piano by Alexander Vella Gregory.
The choir’s last performance was in the evocative abbey of Mont St Michel. This huge Gothic complex rises majestically above the bay which separates Bretagne from Normandy. The choir performed in the parish church, tucked beneath the monastic complex, and presented a short programme of sacred choral music.
The visit to Chevaigné proved yet another success for this Gozitan choir, and both the Maltese and the Breton are looking forward to more exchanges in the future.