Cappella Sanctae Catharinae, Malta’s only all-male choir, is presenting its annual Christmas concert, entitled Gaudete, this weekend at two different venues.

The programme includes Giovanni Battista Crivelli’s 17th-century Christmas pastorale Salvete Pastores, as well as such carols as I Wonder as I Wander and Personent Hodie.

The choir will also be reviving an old Maltese carol, collected from Birkirkara two years ago, called Kant lil Betlem.

They will be joined by soprano Danielle Ciantar.

The choir will first present this concert tomorrow at Siġġiewi parish church at 7.30pm.

Gaudete will be helping to collect funds for the restoration of the chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows. The ceiling was painted by Lazzaro Pisani in 1931 and two years later a certain Palmieri decorated the apse.

On Sunday at 11am, the choir will be singing at the church of Our Lady of Victories in Valletta at the invitation of Din l-Art Ħelwa. This is the second time that Cappella Sanctae Catharinae will be holding its morning Christmas concert here. The church is undergoing a massive restoration project, and the choir is proud to support Din l-Art Ħelwa in its endeavours.

Entrance to both concerts is free, but a retiring collection in aid of the respective churches will be made. For more information visit the choir’s Facebook page or e-mail cappellamalta@gmail.com.