Silence in churches at Victoria will be broken with an interesting repertoire of soulful music as part of the first edition of Lejlet Lapsi Notte Gozitana next weekend.
A chamber concert, presented by the French Embassy and featuring Jean-Marc Apap on the sax alto and Richard Galliano on the piano accordion, kicks off a programme of sacred music at St George's Basilica on Friday at 8 p.m.
The Victoria Clarinet Quartet will give another chamber concert at the Sentinella Hall, at the Citadel, at 9 p.m. The quartet was established three years ago with the aim of compiling a different but balanced repertoire that varies from familiar to rare music pieces.
A recital will take place on the 18th century organ at St Michael's Hall, St George's Basilica on May 19 at 7 p.m. This will be followed by a concert of sacred music by Laudate Pueri, directed by Fr George Frendo, at 9 p.m.
The Schola Cantorum Jubilate will give a 45-minute sacred music choir concert at the Gozo Courts of Justice on the same day at 8.30 p.m.
At the Franciscan Sisters' church, the evening starts with a sopranos concert of sacred vocal music by Rosabella Pavia, Giorgina Gauci and Claudia Tabone, accompanied by Stephen Attard. The concert will be followed by more sacred music by Chorus Urbanus, directed by John Galea, at 11 p.m.
The programme rounds off with another sacred music choir Gaulitanus, under the direction of Colin Attard, at the Gozo Cathedral at 1 a.m. (May 20).
History, traditions and art will be documented and presented in various exhibitions. A display of bozzetti, or sketches, of paintings and works of art found in places of worship in Gozo will be held at the Bishop's Palace, opening on May 19 at 5 p.m. until midnight.
The Banca Giuratale in Independence Square will host an exhibition of drawings by Mattia Preti, opening on Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m; and on May 20 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Images Of Gozo Past is the title of an exhibition of old photographs at the National Archives, opening on May 19 from 6 p.m. until midnight. On the same day, Ensemble d'Art Gozitain will display works by Gozitan artists at St George's Basilica from 7 p.m. until midnight. A sculpture exhibition by Victor Spiteri will take place in Library Street from 9 a.m. and George Scicluna will exhibit his works at his art studio in Dawwara Street from 9 a.m. The Ministry for Gozo will host another art exhibition, New Inspirations 2, by the Diocesan Youth Commission between 6 p.m. and midnight.
An exhibition about the history of Banda Cittadina La Stella and the feast of St George, patron saint of Gozo, will be held on May 19 from 9 a.m. at La Stella Band Club. Another exhibition, Santa Marija - A Feast For Gozo And Its Inhabitants, will be held at the Aurora Opera House from 9 a.m.
A traditional cribs exhibition will be mounted at the Bishop's Palace from 5 p.m. until midnight and Good Friday processional statuettes will be displayed for viewing in St Joseph Street from 6 p.m.
The Franciscan Sisters' Convent will host an exhibition on their founder, Madre Margherita, from 6.30 p.m.
Further information can be obtained on 2155 9832, an e-mail - events@gozoculture.com, www.gozoculture.com.