Maltese Carols Project

Cappella Sanctae Catharinae, Malta’s only male choir, was set up in 2009 by a small group of musicians sharing a common passion for late Renaissance and early Baroque polyphonic music.

The original motive for setting up the choir was as a performance project in connection with the restoration of the Church of St. Catherine of Italy in Valletta. The restoration of the church having been completed, and following much critical acclaim, the original members took the decision to make the choir a permanent fixture giving regular performances in various venues across Malta. 

The choir remains unique not only for being the only all-male choir in Malta, but also for presenting early polyphonic music in its original setting. Over the years, CSC has performed together with Dame Emma Kirkby OBE and the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble (VIBE) in 2012, and in the 2013 edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival. In 2015, the choir collaborated with renowned early music ensemble Ludus Venti to present a programme in commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta, 1565. During this concert, the choir brought back to life a piece of music written specifically during and about the Great Siege. In 2016, CSC was invited by the Valletta Local Council to present a concert of sacred music commemorating the 450th anniversary of the founding of the city. In 2018 the choir was invited to be part of the Music in Malta: From Prehistory to Vinyl  project organised by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. The choir is celebrating its 10th anniversary this season with a choral tour in Rome. In March 2022 the choir will be doing a choral pilgrimage under the title 7 Churches, a project commissioned by the Valletta Cultural Agency.

The choir is also committed towards preserving and promoting intangible heritage, and is currently engaged in a project to preserve old Maltese carols before they are lost forever. CSC also seeks to collaborate with other organisations, such as Din l-Art Ħelwa and the Notarial Archives Foundation to help restore heritage and bring it back to life through music. In doing so CSC brings music closer to the community, while promoting excellence in music. The choir is also engaged in the Maltese Carols Project - an ongoing research project to salvage our intangible musical heritage.