The Chorus Urbanus has been invited to perform at various localities of the Alsace region, France during December. Historically part of the Holy Roman Empire, the region has passed between French and German control numerous times, resulting in a rich cultural blend. During this choral tour, the Choir is expected to join forces with other participating choirs to perform ‘en-masse’ at Strasbourg’s Cathedral, the main venue and one of the highlights of this cultural initiative. The 25 choirs will premiere a new composition Gloria de Noel composed by Oliver Sperling, the kappellmeister of Cologne Cathedral together with a programme of internationally known carols in the original languages. Other performances by Chorus Urbanus are scheduled to take place at Bergsheim and Trucktersheim. Then, the members of all the 25 choirs will proceed in torchlight procession ‘aux flambeaux’ towards the Large Fir tree of Strasbourg and, in front of the Flame of Peace brought from Bethlehem, they will join forces for a short public concert. Created five years ago to propose cultural events concerning Christmas and to give again a spiritual dimension to this great feast of the birth of Jesus Christ, Les Noëlies gathers the Regional Council of Alsace, the two Churches catholic and Protestant, the inhabitants of Alsace and several regional organizations.

This will be our eighth choral tour. The Choir has an impressive history of international appearances that include Italy, Switzerland, England, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria and Greece. This trip to France will be another feather in our cap.

Vocal and logistical preparations are in full swing and Chorus Urbanus has been also asked to perform some carols in Maltese. Our musical director has included three local carols, including the eponymous “Ninni la tibkix izjed” and a carol composed by him to lyrics by Rev. Can. Joseph Meylak, to be premiered for this occasion.  

The Noel-in-Alsace Organizing Committee’s choice of the Chorus Urbanus  was primarily focused on choosing a choral force that has a good track-record of an accomplished level of singing technique. It was an almost obvious choice after the success achieved through the choir’s solid credentials throughout 2005, especially through the professional caliber of its participation in the international publication of the CD Il Cuore di Cristo, the oratorio composed by our musical director John Galea and published by EMI Publishing, Milano . Europa Cantat, the European Federation of Choirs, with whom the Chorus Urbanus enjoys the primate of Maltese affiliation also shared in its acknowledgement and proposed our participation during this important festival that will see twenty five choirs, one from each member sate of the European Union.

Les Noelies