Sofia, in Bulgaria, has once again been the venue for the recording of two CDs by the Chorus Urbanus as part of its 30th Anniversary Celebrations. The Chorus Urbanus visited Sofia between 28 March 2005 and 4 April 2005 to record, together with the Sofia Collegium Symphony Orchestra the Oratorio "Il-Qalb ta' Kristu" composed by John Galea and lyrics by H.L. Mgr Nicholas Cauchi, Bishop of Gozo. This Oratorio is to be premiered next June during the centenary festivities to be organised at the Fontana Parish.

The oratorio has been recorded in Maltese and in Italian and will soon be released on CD. The orchestra was under the direction of John Galea. The recording was made at the Sofia State Radio Studios. Soprano Yvonne Galea, alto Antonella Mercieca, tenors Joseph Aquilina and Mario Portelli, baritone Alfred Camilleri and basses Noel Galea and Dimitar Penchev interpreted the solo parts of this oratorio.

Apart from the recording sessions, the choir members had the opportunity to explore Sofia and its surroundings. Undoubtedly, this second visit to Sofia rekindled the nice memories of the first visit in 1999 during which two other cd's, Ggantija and Nicolo Isouard's Messa Leggiera were recorded.

The oratorio had been commissioned by Can George Bezzina, Parish Priest of Fontana. Citadel Video Communications TV crew headed by Alvin Scicluna ws present in Sofia to film the Choir's accomplishment.

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