After the successful premier of my ‘ The Hyland Mass’ op 130 at St George’s Basilica as the closing concert of the Victoria International Arts Festival on July 15th, the work received a repeat performance, this time at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta on September 6th. The mass, which was played to a packed house featured the artistes which were involved in its premier performance, namely Gillian Zammit (soprano), Clare Massa (Alto) Cliff Zammit Stevens (tenor) Nicholas Warden (Bass) and boy soprano, Nathan Schembri Rodgers. The soloists were accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Also taking part was the Laudate Pueri Choir, under the directorship of Rev George J Frendo. An unexpected appearance was that of soprano Maria Frendo who substituted in part Gillian Zammit, who unfortunately, on the day, was not feeling well.

The large audience included about 50 members of the American association of the Knights of Malta. Mr Christopher Hyland of New York, the person who commissioned me to write the work was also there.