The Camilleri composers : an introspective study on the Camilleri dynasty

Abstract

Throughout the years, there was a notable amount of Maltese composers, some of which were also part of the same family. The origin of one of the most renowned musical family in Malta, the Camilleri dynasty initiated in the nineteenth century, which started primarily by Vincenzo Camilleri who was originally from Valletta but spent most of his life in Luqa. This musical era came to an end with the death of Giuseppe Camilleri around a century after in Sliema.

This research will analyse the function of the cappella on the Maltese islands and explore some of the changes that the 1903 “Motu` Proprio” brought on the Maltese musical context. Further on, the effect and the havoc that this document created will be evaluated in relation to the established cappelle of Bugeja and Nani and other cappelle, mainly Camilleri and Diacono which were formed due to this episode.

This research will give an introspective study about the biography and the music composed by all the Camilleri composers that formed part of the Camilleri dynasty. A whole list of the works of the Camilleri compositions will be presented through this research, including the current location of each composition.

This study will analyse the most popular mass of the Camilleri family which is currently performed on the Maltese islands during several liturgical ceremonies. This composition is the product of the last two members of the dynasty, Ferdinando and his son Giuseppe, who are still the most popular of all the Camilleri composers. Nowadays, the Cappella Bugeja and Cappella Diacono, are the only existing cappelle which have their compositions performed during Catholic church feasts in the Maltese islands.

Following the demise of Giuseppe Camilleri, the Cappella Camilleri does not exist anymore, however, it is remarked that this mass is performed in not less than fifteen churches in Malta and Gozo. The liturgical feasts include the celebrations of Saint Helen in Birkirkara, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Fgura, the Assumption in Gudja and Għaxaq, Saint Gajetan in Ħamrun, Saint Leonard in Kirkop, Saint Andrew in Luqa, Holy Trinity in Marsa, Saint George in Qormi, Christ the King in Paola, Sacro Cuore and Stella Maris in Sliema, Saint Catherine in Żurrieq, Our Lady of Lilies in Mqabba and Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Nadur. Due to the fact that this mass is performed in various localities, the popularity of this piece of work increased by time and several followers would be looking forward to listen to this mass wherever it is executed.