The Cappella Sanctae Catharinae is Malta’s only all-male choir. Established in 2009, they specialise in Renaissance and Early Baroque polyphonic music. The concert is scheduled to take place twice at two distinct churches: On Saturday, December 16, the choir will perform at St. Philip Parish Church in Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Then, on Sunday December 17, they will take over Mdina’s Church of the Annunciation, otherwise known as Carmelite Priory.

The focus of this Cappella Sanctae Catharinae event will centre on a lovely but obscure collection of music, as always. The performed songs will cover both liturgical Christmas music and Christmas carols. These include a Magnificat by Francesco Feroci and a Gloria from Antonio Lotti’s Mass in A minor, two examples of Baroque polyphonic works.

Rarely heard songs from throughout Europe will also be played, such as the 17-th century French carol ‘Quelle est cette odeur agrèeable?’ by John Gay, as well as Bach’s Mediaeval German carol ‘In Dulci Jubilo’. Moreover, there will also be a brand-new carol from the choir’s Maltese Carols Project, much like in years past. The goal of this 2016-started effort is to gather, conserve, and disseminate vintage Maltese Christmas songs.