From the austere music of the counter-reformation up to the flamboyant baroque, O Quam Suavis promises to be yet another great concert from Malta’s only all-male choir, Cappella Sanctae Catharinae.

The choir has now firmly established itself on the Maltese cultural scene and is committed to delivering high-quality performances in some of Malta’s finest sacred spaces.

O Quam Suavis presents various aspects of Italian sacred polyphony from the 16th and 17th centuries. The concert includes the ascetic music of Palestrina as well as the expressiveness of Monteverdi. It also features music by two relatively unknown composers, Asola and Foggia, who enjoyed great esteem during their lifetimes.

The concert will also showcase various musical styles and forms, from Mass movements, to sacred motets. The older pieces are a cappella, whereas others have an organ accompaniment which was the ‘modern’ style that later came to be known as baroque.

The concert will be held twice, with the first performance taking place on Friday in the church of St Teresa in Cospicua, and the second next Sunday in the parish church of the Annunciation in Balzan. Both concerts start at 7.30pm and are free of charge. There will be a collection in aid of the choir and the respective churches.