The Royal Albert Hall in London was alive with the sound of music two weeks ago. Well, it usually is filled with the sound of music of course, being a concert hall. But this time, the music had a distinctive local tinge as it was made by a 100-strong Maltese choir called the Mediterranean Voices, accompanied by the sweet sound of the world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Malta’s very own Alan Chircop.

The Maltese singers and Mro Chircop were taking part in a tribute to 50 years of Beatles music with orchestral arrangements by another talented Maltese – composer Wayne Grima.

I was lucky enough to be one of the choristers, as a soprano, and I can safely say that the event was one of the best experiences of my life. Intensive rehearsals held over the summer in Malta with Mro Chircop and vocal coach Gillian Zammit, as well as in London over the week preceding the concert, certainly paid off and the comments by the audience members were overwhelmingly positive.

The event was organised by SIM Malta and was held in aid of The Malta Community Chest Fund under the distinguished patronage of President and Mrs Abela who also attended the concert. Their daughter Maria Abela Manconi was one of the singers during the concert, as was former Eurovision hopeful and TV presenter Lynne Faure Chircop.

Other special star guest appearances were Is This The Way To Amarillo crooner Tony Christie, From Pop Star To Opera Star singer Darius Campbell, soul diva Beverley Knight, ex-Atomic Kitten Liz McClaron, singer-songwriter Tony Moore, violinist Analiza Ching, girl group Candy Rock and former Blue member Anthony Costa, as well as Maria Elena Infantino, Susan Black, Lou Jordan, Elliott Frisby and Lenny Zakatek.

Of course, the highlight of the very well-attended evening was legendary superstar Dame Shirley Bassey who sang the beautiful Somewhere and sent shivers down my – and doubtlessly everyone else’s – spine.

The show was presented by Beatles aficionado, broadcaster Mike Read, a household name in Britain who has written songs for the likes of Cliff Richard, Steve Winwood, Boy George and David Essex, while the hostess was Fayon Cottrell. The producer and director of the show was Rocco Buonvino, who has staged high-end concerts all over the world. All in all, the concert was a huge success as was evidenced by the applause by the audience who packed the Royal Albert Hall and who happily sang along to all the hits.

Here’s hoping that this is not the last we hear of the Mediterranean Voices!