The Xagħra Local Council invited Schola Cantorum Jubilate to organise the thirteenth edition of the Christmas Concert in Xagħra. ‘Gaude et Lætare’ was held at the Basilica of Xagħra and joining the Schola Cantorum Jubilate, was the Cordia String Ensemble and member of the Jubilate Chamber Orchestra. The Christmastide concert started with the Mayor’s welcome speech and followed with Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’ by the Cordia String Quartet. The concert continued with pieces a cappella in SATB: ‘Noël Nouvelet’ arr. R. Cilia, Bartolucci’s ‘Puer Natus’, ‘Carol of the Bells’ (Leontovych), ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory’ (anon) and the choral version of ‘Sinfonija Pastorali’ by Emanuel Galea.
The next part included various solo pieces: ‘Nataliana’ which was played on the Harp by Jacob Portelli, ‘Gesu’ Bambino’ (Yon) was interpreted by Bass Albert Buttigieg with the soprano section accompanying, ‘O Holy Night’ (Adam) was interpreted by Soprano and Director Marouska Attard and ‘Pastorale Natalizia’ (Mojana) was played on the organ by Joseph Camilleri. During the last mentioned piece and the following speech by Mgr. C. Refalo, Archpriest, a collection in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund was held. The total sum gathered amounted to €870. Later on the concert continued with Mauro Farrugia’s arrangement of harp, saxophone soprano and choir of ‘What Child is this?’. Other pieces for choir and ensemble were: ‘In Dulci Jubilo’ (arr. Rutter), ‘Christmas Lullaby’ (Rutter), ‘The First Nowell’ (arr. D. Willcocks) and finally the ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus from Handel’s ‘Messiah’. For the encore, the choir performed ‘O Come all ye faithful’. The compere of the soiree was Sarah Spiteri. The Basilica was packed with an audience which came on purpose to listen to the Schola Cantorum Jubilate. Among the guests were the Mayor and Councillors of the Xaghra Local Council, the Rev. Arc. Mgr. Carmelo Refalo, Mgr. Renzo Cilia from the Istituto Pontificio di Musica Sacra, Mr & Mrs. Frederick Azzopardi, Dr. & Mrs. Anton Refalo and Mr. & Mrs Anton Tabone.
