A Concert to celebrate the Inauguration of A Painting of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla at the Jesuit’s Church Valletta to be donated to create a National Shrine to the Saint . Jesuit’s Church Valletta 8 pm. 25th July 2023.
Sponsored by The Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity Valletta, the Arch-confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Valletta, Doctors For Life, Life Network Foundation, Atelier del Restauro.
We are donating this painting to Honour Saint Gianna Beretta Molla and also the thousands of Women , in Malta and throughout the world, who, like Saint Gianna, choose to put the life of the baby first when choosing an intervention during difficulties in their pregnancies. These women, who accept to undergo Caesarian Sections, forceps deliveries and so on are unsung heroines who shed their own blood for their children.
Saint Gianna had listened to the possible options suggested by her doctors, and then took a moral choice based on her knowledge and beliefs , choosing the option which gave her baby the most likely chance of healthy survival. She never craved death, but hoped that both she and her child would survive. As such she gave us a perfect model of how doctors and patients should collaborate together in a consultation; the doctor gives options, the patient chooses the option she considers most appropriate. appropriate. It is unfortunate, in Gianna’s case, that an unexpected complication subsequently led to her death. I have made my contribution in the name of Rachael Ward, one of my students , who was also a devotee of Saint Gianna. She was a soprano in the Clare College Choir Cambridge , and also co-chair of the Fisher Society, at the Catholic Chaplaincy to the University. Rachael died suddenly on Easter Tuesday 2021. She had had three children and was still on Maternity Leave. Her choices in life, like her favourite Saint Gianna, were always determined by her deep Catholic Faith. On the preceding Easter Saturday, she had sung in Church ‘ I know that my Redeemer Liveth’, her final public testament . Hers was a well lived life taken maybe too soon for us who are left. In 2014, she had visited Malta with the Clare College Choir , and had sung an Ave Maria before the Statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Valletta Basilica , presenting a bouquet of flowers. When the recent controversy about abortion erupted in Malta, I realised that in Malta there was no shrine to Saint Gianna , and I decided to give a donation towards one, and to do this in Rachael’s name. When I phoned her husband Matthew, I found that he had decided to donate a statue of Saint Gianna in Rachael’s Name to Corpus Christi Church Covent Garden, London. Amazingly we had independently come up with the same idea. Mathew is a musical director and composer, and he has written a piece based on a Prayer of Saint Gianna for this Concert. It will be sung by Michaela Agius as a World Premier. ‘ I know that my Redeemer Liveth’, Rachael’s final public testament, will be sung by Hannah Tong . Mark Agius Rector Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Valletta. Qed nagħtu din il-pittura bħala donazzjoni biex inqimu Santa Gianna Beretta Molla u wkoll l-eluf ta’ Nisa, f’Malta u madwar id-dinja, li bħal Santa Gianna, jagħżlu li jpoġġu l-ħajja tat-tarbija l-ewwel meta jagħżlu intervent waqt diffikultajiet fit-tqala tagħhom. Santa Gianna kienet semgħet l-għażliet possibbli ssuġġeriti mit-tobba tagħha, u mbagħad ħadet għażla morali bbażata fuq l-għarfien u t-twemmin tagħha, u għażlet l-għażla li tat lit-tarbija tagħha l-aktar ċans probabbli ta’ sopravivenza b’saħħitha. Qatt ma xtaqet il-mewt, iżda itittamat li kemm hi kif ukoll it-tarbija tagħha jibqgħu ħajjin. Bħala tali tatna mudell perfett ta’ kif it-tobba u l-pazjenti għandhom jikkollaboraw flimkien f’konsultazzjoni; it-tabib jagħti għażliet, il-pazjent jagħżel l-għażla li tqis l-aktar xierqa. Hija ħasra, fil-każ ta’ Gianna, li sussegwentement, is-sepsis seħħet u hi mietet. Jien tajt il-kontribut tiegħi f’isem Rachael Ward, waħda mill-istudenti tiegħi, li kienet ukoll devota ta’ Santa Gianna. Kienet soprano fil-Kor ta’ Clare College Cambridge, u wkoll ko-president tas-Soċjetà ta’San Ġwann Fisher , fiċ-Chaplaincy Kattolika għall-Università. Rachael mietet f’daqqa nhar it-Tlieta tal-Għid 2021. Hija kellha tlett itfal u kienet għadha fuq Leave tal-Maternità. L-għażliet tagħha fil-ħajja, bħal Santa Gianna, il-qaddisa favorita tagħha, dejjem kienu determinati mill-Fidi Kattolika profonda tagħha. F’Sibt il-Għid ta’ qabel, hija kienet kantat fil-Knisja ‘ I know that my Redeemer Liveth ‘, it-testment pubbliku finali tagħha. Tagħha kienet ħajja ħajja tajba meħuda forsi kmieni wisq għalina li għadna hawnekk . Fl-2014, hija kienet żaret Malta mal-Kor ta’ Clare College , u kienet kantat Ave Maria quddiem l-Istatwa tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu fil-Bażilika tal-Belt Valletta, waqt li ppreżentat bukkett fjuri f’isem il-Kulleġġ. Meta faqqgħet il-kontroversja riċenti dwar l-abort f’Malta, indunajt li f’Malta ma kienx hemm post ta’qima ddedikata lil Santa Gianna , u ddeċidejt li nagħti donazzjoni għal waħda, u li nagħmel dan f’isem Rachael. Meta ċempilt lil żewġha Matthew, sibt li hu kien iddeċieda li jagħti statwa ta’ Santa Gianna f’Isem Rachael lil- Corpus Christi Church Covent Garden, Londra. B’mod tal-għaġeb konna indipendentement ħriġna bl-istess idea. Mathew huwa direttur mużikali u kompożitur, u kiteb biċċa bbażata fuq Talba ta’ Santa Gianna għal dan il-Kunċert. Dan se jitkanta miss Soprano Michaela Agius bħala Premier Dinji. ‘ I know that my Redeemer Liveth ‘, it-testment pubbliku finali ta’ Rachael, se jitkanta miss Soprano Hannah Tong. Mark Agius Rector Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Valletta. The Concert
At the end of the concert, the painting will be blessed.
Free Entrance Donations to defray cost of concert and to support ’Dar Tgħanniqa ta’ Omm’
The Musicians Soprano Hannah Tong (nee Bonnici) studied classical voice at the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College Malta School of Music (Ex -Johann Strauss) with mezzo-moprano Clare Massa and Latvian soprano Karmene Radovska, graduating with her Diploma in Voice in 2016. Her solo operatic debut on the Manoel Theatre stage was as Belinda in Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas (2015). She performed the title role of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta Patience (2017) and the lead female role of Pandora in the world premier Corto Maltese – The ballad of the salty sea by Monique Krus (2018). She is the winner of The Gozo Classical Voice Festival and Competition 2023 (Category C Ages 26-33), earning her a masterclass with internationally renowned operatic soprano and lead panel judge Barbara Frittoli.
Hannah has given concerts alongside Gozitan baritone Charles Buttigieg, Welsh Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, British soprano Jacqueline Yu and The Choir of Clare College Cambridge as well as solo performances in the United Kingdom, Latvia and Italy. She has actively participated in Masterclasses both locally and overseas with vocal coaches sopranos Miriam Cauchi, Gillian Zammit, Andriana Yordanova, Alice Horn, Joy Mammen, Maija Kovalevska, Zigrida Krigere, Elin Manahan Thomas, Baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, conductors Mro. Marco Mencoboni and Mro. Ben Woodward and stage director Detlef Soelter.
Hannah was an active member of the opera initiative organisation Manoel Theatre Youth Opera (TMYO) between 2013 and 2018, performing in several opera concerts during this time. She now forms part of the Opera Studio at the Malta School of Music, where she is currently studying the title role of Donizetti’s Rita and has performed excerpts of it at the Manoel Theatre earlier this year. She is also a member of Malta Opera, which is founded and artistically directed by Soprano Nicola Said, through it having the opportunity to perform with German soprano Nicole Janczak at the Casino Maltese. Her choral experience expands the course of 18 years and includes The Joseph Calleja Children’s Choir, Cantores Sancti Juliani, Teatru Manoel Youth Opera Choir, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra Choir, St. John’s Co-Cathedral Ensemble, The Monteverdi Project and most recently, Schola Cantorum Jubilate (lead by choral director soprano Marouska Attard), with whom she recorded and filmed Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere as Soprano 1 soloist and which was broadcasted internationally.
Hannah possesses a Masters in Clinical Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Science and is the Deputy Head Pharmacist of a private hospital. She has published a scientific article on antidepressants in Psychiatria Danubina, a Pubmed listed Journal. She is currently furthering her music studies under the artistic guidance and mentorship of Maltese sopranos Juliette Bisazza and Miriam Cauchi.
Jacob Portelli is Proficient on both the Celtic and the Concert Grand Pedal Harp, Jacob is a highly sought-after harpist in Malta. In high demand for both Church and Civil Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions, Jacob Portelli is renowned for creating just the right romantic touch for the couple’s special day. His harp-playing has also brought comfort to those bereaved, during funerals and memorial services for their loved-ones. He is regularly engaged to perform in prestigious events such as State Dinners and national gala events presided by the President of Malta and Prime Minister, at Verdala Palace, San Anton Residence and the Grand Master’s Palace. In 2016, he was personally invited to perform to H.M the Queen of England, Elizabeth II during a Commonwealth event at Malborough House, London.
Other high-profile events have included performances during CHOGM 2015 meetings, performances for Presidents of EU Heads of State during Arraiolos 2017 and dinners for EU Maltese Presidency 2017. Other prestigious concerts have included collaborations with Fra Alessandro and The Priests. He has also performed in productions of Phantom of the Opera, Faure’s Requiem and Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Furthermore, Jacob regularly performs for company dinners, commemorative ceremonies and corporate events. Jacob holds Diplomas in Harp Performance with Distinction from both the Malta School of Music as well as from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Jacob owns two high quality instruments manufactured in Piasco Italy from the world-renowned Harp Manufacturers – Salvi.A gifted musician, Jacob is also proficient in all the other string instruments – violin, viola, cello and double bass – with Performing Diplomas to his name. His fascination with music has also led him to explore a somewhat unusual instrument – the psalter-bowed and plucked. Jacob performs with major ensembles in Malta such as ProMuzika Ensemble, the St James Consort, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and various other orchestras and chamber music formations throughout the concert season. Jacob is a founder member of Cordia String Quartet. Together they have been invited to perform in numerous prestigious concerts both locally and abroad, including the Victoria International Arts Festival in Gozo, the August Moon Ball, for Austria’s National Day, in New Delhi and Calcutta under the auspices of Maltese Ambassador for India, at Marlborough House in London for her Majesty the Queen as part of the Commonwealth Celebrations. He is also a member of the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble (VIBE – the resident ensemble of the prestigious Valletta International Baroque Festival), with whom he plays the harp continuo and baroque cello. Michaela Agius, a Maltese soprano, is a current medical student, pianist and singer. In Medicine, She has published scientific articles in Pubmed listed Journals. She holds a grade 8 certificate in both Singing and music theory, and an ALCM certificate in pianoforte performance from both LCM and ABRSM, both at distinction level. She has been a part of the musical scene since the age of four, having successfully represented Malta several times at international singing competitions. Her childhood achievements in music led her to study music seriously with the renowned Nicola Said, Alice Horne and Juliette Bisazza. Michaela’s earliest prestigious activities in the musical world include giving annual recitals organised by the ‘Malta Opera Ensemble’, and being one of the youngest award winning contestants to enter the ‘Malta international arts festival’ singing competition at the tender age of fifteen. Furthermore, she spent a year in the personal archbishop’s choir, in which she had the opportunity to sing alongside the world famous ‘Clare College Choir’ in concert. Michaela has held and taken part in numerous acknowledged concerts and recitals, a few of which include ‘Emerging Artists Concert’ by the Malta Art’s Council in celebration of Valletta ‘18 at the National Museum Of Archaeology, ‘Alba Noctem – Harp and voice recital’ during ‘Notte Bianca 2019’, ‘Endless Pleasure’ together with the well-known Elin Manahan Thomas, a Christmas concert at Casino Maltese with Malta Opera, and ‘From Bellini to Lloyd Webber’ with harpist Jacob Portelli by Barocco Foundation. During recent years, Michaela has joined ‘The Monteverdi Project in Malta’, ‘Teatru Manoel Youth Opera’, ‘Schola Cantorum Jubilate’ and ‘Malta Opera’, under the tuition of many acclaimed local and foreign musicians, namely, Gillian Zammit, Marco Mencoboni, Kate Fenech Field and Marouska Attard. Michaela has also participated in numerous masterclasses, most recently with Gabriele Lombardi and Nicola Said. As of late, her most notable ahceivment was making her debut at Malta’s national theatre, Teatru Manoel, as ‘Olympia’ from Offenbach’s ‘Tales of Hoffmann’, together with ‘Papagena’ from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, during a series of Opera Gala performances. Laetitia Troisi De Menville started her musical education at the Malta School of Music (MSM) at the age of six. She began her music studies in both piano and harp, advancing in harp under the tutalage of Ms Caroline Calleja and has recently achieved her Diploma on this instrument. She has also obtained her Grade 8 in Music Theory and Composition. Laetitia performed various concerts at the MSM as a soloist and also in ensemble formation with various instruments and singers of the school. In 2016 and 2017 she also had the opportunity to perform as part of MSM orchestra, and in Christmas 2018 she performed in the annual Christmas Concert at the Mdina Cathedral. Laetitia also joined the Malta Youth Orchestra in 2019 as a harpist and has performed with the orchestra for various concerts. While on Erasmus in 2019, at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, she followed a programme of harp lessons at the Conservatorio of Santa Cecilia under the tutelage of Isabella Mori. Currently, Laetitia also provides services as a harpist for various occasions – wedding masses and receptions, civil ceremonies, funerals, gala dinners and so on. Laetitia has also obtained a Bachelor of Science in the Built Environment, and a Diploma in Design Foundation Studies before that from the University of Malta.