The year 2005 has been a very special year for the Chorus Urbanus as it marks the thirtieth anniversary since the choir’s official foundation at St. George’s Basilica. To mark this very special year, the choir’s 30^th Anniversary Celebrations Committee within the Chorus Urbanus Productions embarked on various cultural initiatives to mark this notable milestone. Celebrations kicked off last year on a high note with the Grand Christmas Concert featuring the Chorus Urbanus, the Chorus Urbanus Junior Section and the National Orchestra under the baton of John Galea. This concert held in collaboration with the Right Reverend Chapter of St. George’s Basilica and the Victoria Local Council was overwhelmingly patronized. It started with a splendid interpretation of John Galea’s Missa Ignes Charitatis, opening with an optimistic Kyrie, followed by the equally stirring Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. Then the choir gave delightful renditions of traditional Maltese, Latin, Austrian, French and Ukranian carols. At the end of the concert, the audience that filled the illuminated basilica, was rewarded by a rousing "Hallelujah" chorus from the The Messiah by Georg Frederic Handel.

Earlier this year Chorus Urbanus Productions invested in another worthy cultural initiative: the recording of John Galea’s oratorio Il-Qalb ta’ Kristu in Sofia, Bulgaria, featuring various soloists, Chorus Urbanus and the Sofia Collegium Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer. The Oratorio was recorded in both the Maltese and Italian versions and published by EMI Milano, Italy . Subsequently the Oratorio has been performed locally in conjunction with the Fontana Parish Church Centenary celebrations followed by performances at St. Paul ’s Cathedral in Malta . The lyrics of both versions of this evangelical oratorio were written by Bishop Nicholas J. Cauchi and these were set to splendid music by John Galea, the choir’s long-standing musical director who this year is also celebrating his 25^th anniversary at the musical helm of Chorus Urbanus.

Celebrations during this special month will resume with the eight edition of Il-Kuncert tal-Milied featuring the Chorus Urbanus and the National Orchestra, to be held in collaboration with the Victoria Local Council and the Cathedral Chapter on Wednesday 21^st December 2005, at the Gozo Cathedral at 7.30pm  In this year’s edition, soloists Yvonne Galea (sop), Pamela Bezzina (m.sop), Joseph Aquilina and Mario Portelli (ten) and Noel Galea (bass) will team up with the Chorus Urbanus to interpret various highlights from the choir’s varied repertoire that will include the Kyrie from Nicolo’ Isouard’s Messa Leggiera, John Galea’s  Psalmus CL, a rousing setting of the 150^th Psalm for soprano and tenor, SATB choir and symphonic orchestra, the Offertorio and Credo from Gounod’s Messe Solenelle de Sainte Cecile together with a selection of international Christmas Carols by the Junior Section and the Chorus Urbanus. The concert will come to a traditional sonorous close with a triumphant rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah by Handel. As in previous years entrance to the concert is free but a collection will be held in aid of a charitable institution and this year the beneficiary will be the Arka Respite Centre.

On the 27^th December, 2005, liturgical solemnity of St. John the Evangelist, the Chorus Urbanus will sing during a Pontifical Thanksgiving Mass held in the Basilica to mark the 30^th Anniversary since the Choir’s foundation way back on Christmas Eve of 1975. This Thanksgiving Mass will be presided by H.L. the Bishop of Gozo Mgr. Nicholas J. Cauchi, the Archpriest Mgr. Dr. Joseph Farrugia, Can Joseph Gauci, the Choir’s founder, Can. George Bezzina, the parish priest of Fontana ,  one of the choir’s first members, members of the Collegiate Chapter and clergy.  The Choir will be singing Abbe Boyer’s Missa Brevis for soloists, SATB choir and organ together with Christmas carols suited to the festive season.

Other major events are planned to take place during the coming months of this celebratory year where the Chorus Urbanus will continue to confirm its role as a principal protagonist in the local musical scene and an exponent of Malta ’s cultural export.