Ever since we came to Gozo, and from our own choice we have lived without radio or Television, because we wanted to do other things with out time. But we do use our laptops to keep up with world events. We are finding that we go about our business in the flat either singing, humming, or whistling and that’s fine, however, music means a lot to me, an awful lot if it is the kind I enjoy and so I have been keeping an eye on events here in Gozo, an eye on upcoming concerts. There have been quite a few during the winter and I have not always taken advantage of them. The Gozitans love their music, Ir -Rabat has got not one but two opera houses in full use. Many of the churches also have their choirs, and children’s choirs abound. I have heard their singing and it has been very appealing.

Anyway, the other day I saw this poster, it said Gaulitana – A Festival of Music and I noticed that this Festival was happening right now. Going down the list of concerts I found out that there was a lunch-time concert coming up the next day, to be held in the Old Hospital on St.Francis Square, this building is lovely to look at and houses the Minister of Gozo Hall now. One of its front halls is used to show exhibitions some of which I have attended, and the concert was to be held in the other hall which used to be the hospital’s chapel, a lovely room hung with paintings and having an arched ceiling. The program looked totally my cup of tea; recorder music of the early and Renaissance periods by Jacob van Eyck, Telemann and Jean Braun. The musician, Romero Ciuffa played on three different recorders, the Ganassi recorder for the first pieces, the Alt recorder for the Telemann and the bass recorder for the Jean Braun compositions. Romero explained all about the different types of recorders and a bit about the music too. It was wonderful, the music was so uplifting and the audience very appreciative you can imagine. What a wonderful way to spend a lunch time!

I often listen to some music on YouTube and find a good variety, I also follow some Facebook sites specialising in Baroque and early music, it gives me immense pleasure. Music is such a joy, it connects us with the very fibre of the land and with the souls of the people.

Last two photos are the two opera houses in Ir -Rabat