The all-female choir was established in January 2016 at the Salesian San Luigi Oratory, San Cataldo, in the Province of Caltanissetta, with the desire to explore and make known compositions by contemporary musicians who are offering new and sometimes daring choral writing, though using sacred texts from the liturgical repertoire. The group today has 19 members and is divided into First Sopranos, Second Sopranos and Contraltos. The choir already has several concerts to its credit and has participated in various festivals and competitions.
The performance in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians began with the souns of the Salve Regina by Spanish composer Javier Busto, while from the centre of the Basilica and down through the nave the choir took up its position in front of the high altar. The following hymns were performed: Jesu, Rex Admirabilis by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina; Agnus Dei by Ivo Antognini; Jubilate Domino by Levente Gyöngyösi; Matri Dulcissima by Daniele Riggi; to continue with three more songs by Ola Gjeilo: Northern Lights, Ubi Caritas and Ave Generosa; concluding the concert were sounds of O Maria Vergine Potente by Domenico Machetta. Some hymns saw the choir divide into four, as if to form a cross, thus performing in four different points in the basilica, with a unique and engaging harmonic effect.
In particular, the performance of the new piece Matri Dulcissima, a prayer to the Virgin Mary in Sicilian, with text and music by Maestro Daniele Riggi himself, was very successful. With simple and evocative harmonies, it highlights the maternal role of Mary, loving Mother of every human being and every time: Ave, Matri Santa lu nustru chiantu porta ccu ti. Ave, Ave, sweet mother and my mother. Matri a li voi pedi, ci mittu lu me cori stringilu forte a tia, nun lu lasari cchiu”(Hail, Holy Mother, carry our tears with you. Hail, Hail, sweetest Mother and my Mother. Mother at your feet I place my heart, hold it tightly to you, never leave it).
This hymn was especially dedicated to the Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, on the day when his mother, Isabel, reached the Father’s house, and Fr Artime himself had the opportunity to listen to it in the early afternoon of Saturday, 24 June, passing through the Basilica while they were rehearsing. On that occasion the Rector Major once more showed great humanity, personally greeting each choir member before leaving for Spain, and apologising for not being able to be present at the evening concert.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Rector Major's Vicar, Fr Stefano Martoglio, in concluding the Salesian goodnight in the Church, also particularly appreciated the piece, and therefore asked that it be performed once again with the choir and audience facing the Lorenzone altarpiece, so that the concert turned into a choral prayer overflowing with emotion addressed to Mary Help of Christians.
