Two centuries of church music in Gozo (1750-1950)

Abstract

This dissertation traces the history of church music in Gozo over a period of two centuries, starting from around 1750. During these two centuries several Gozitan and Maltese composers and Maestri di Cappella wrote music to be performed in churches in Gozo. Several parishes used to purchase musical compositions for their musical archives. These musical excerpts were played by the Cappella Musicale during the church services. A detailed research through the musical archives in Gozo was carried out. As a result of this study, for the first time, a large number of church musical scripts have been brought to light. The Atti Capitolari and the Ricevi of the last two centuries held at the Cathedral Archives, in Gozo, were also reviewed. These documents delineate the development of church music in Gozo, reflecting the ups and downs of the Cappella Musicale at the Cathedral which very often coincided with the economic and social situation of the island. Moreover, this dissertation sets out to enquire into the life and achievements, especially musical, of the Gozitan and Maltese composers and Maestri di Cappella in Gozitan Parishes.