Xalata and Fenkata (Day’s outing and Rabbit meal)
For a church service at the farthest villages, we were collected by a private bus carrying the other musicians and singers. When we sang the Credo part we went off to roam the countryside around, often being shouted off by some farmer or having a stone-throwing battle with some local kids, which we all enjoyed of course!
At about mid-day we returned to have a smashing meal of Rabbit Stew and all the trimmings, with the other members. Then came the Confitebor and the return home, shouting and banging on the bus-side most of the way. In addition, we received three pence and a cheese-cake each!
Brass & Wind Band Concerts
Since Mro Giuseppe Camilleri was musical director of La Valette Band Club, which was considered to be the best on the island, he was often engaged to organise a Vocal/Band Concert on the eve of the local Patron Saint’s feast. Our boys group, together with male members, sang the first public “Inno del Sole” (Iris) and the “Va pensiero” (Nabucco) besides other pieces that I don’t remember. Whenever the occasion arose, us boys also merrily sang the Va pensiero while walking through the streets, especially in our sister-island of Gozo. We usually ended up becoming somewhat hoarse at the end but one recovers quickly at that age.
This concludes my childhood reminiscences in the singing field.
|