Prof.  Charles Camilleri, one of Malta's most significant and talented composers, died on Saturday 3^rd January 2009, aged 77. Charles Camilleri, whose popularity extended beyond Malta  has  conducted and written operas, orchestral works, chamber ensembles, concertos, operas, a ballet, and the famous Malta Suite, amongst others. He was the first co-ordinator of Music Studies at the University of Malta, and a council member of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts between 2003 and 2006. He has over 300 compositions, half of which are recorded on 35 CDs sold all over the world.

The Chorus Urbanus has been involved in the first recording of Charles Camilleri’s excellent choral piece Pacem in Maribus. Moreover Charles Camilleri was the person responsible for the Malta premiere of John Galea’s Ġgantija as part of the Maltafest festival in 1993.

Our musical director was one of his composition students and wrote his thesis on the music of his master entitled Charles Camilleri: Mediterranean Crossroads for which he had earned top marks with honours and also a book on the Mediterranean genetics of his piano pieces, a book that was published by Roberton Publications (UK).

His passing was met with expressions of sadness by friends and people, especially those who like us were involved with the performances of his works. The last Camilleri performance before his demise was during the 11^th edition of Il-Kuncert tal-Milied  held on 20^th and 21^st December at St. George’s Basilica and at St. Joseph’s Parish Church in Kalkara.