The St Philip Band of Żebbuġ recently performed a musical concert at the Sir Temi Zammit hall of the University.

After opening with the popular hymn to St Philip, the band played short selections from the oratorio San Filep Sebħ Aġġira by Richard Bugeja, from the Inno a San Filippo d’Agira by Orlando Crescimanno, from the cantata Filep by Ray Sciberras, from the elegy In Sepulcrum by Adeodato Gatt and from the lyric suite In Argyriensis by Mro Bugeja.

This was the warming up for the main performance of the evening, the new oratorio Il-Ħolma taż-Żebbuġin, with lyrics by retired Judge Philip Sciberras and music by Mro Bugeja.

The oratorio also involved tenor Joseph Aquilina, soprano Joan Mangion, baritone Alfred Camilleri, violinist Joseph Chetcuti, the St Monica Choir and narrator Joseph Cortis. The stage of the hall was full to the brim with some 60 choirists, an equal number of band players together with the soloists.

The performers were given a standing ovation lasting several minutes. Education Minister Evarist Bartolo presided over the concert with evident interest, together with Judge Sciberras, Żebbuġ mayor Alfred Grixti, band club president Philip Sciortino and other club officials and music lovers.

In the concert’s closing performance, the band played the hymn Ġieħ lil San Filep, sung by Albertine Abela. Its lyrics had been penned by Pawlu Mifsud years ago but the music was composed by Mro Bugeja for the concert. The band anthem by Gatt and Malta’s national anthem concluded the concert.

Those attending were given an elegant, 20-page booklet with information on the statue, the band club, the composers and the music played. The booklet also featured the lyrics of the oratorio and the new hymn.

Compères Brian Bonnici and Tanya Borg gave historical information related to the story of the silver statue, which was being commemorated on the its 150th anniversary.