Posted by Melvyn Misquita What a splendid performance by all three Choral Concert Groups. They certainly enthralled the audience (and online viewers like myself) with their celestial voices and music. The CCRTV did a great job telecasting and streaming the event, for those who could not be present at the concert.
The Jesuits of Goa Province had organised a Choral Christian Music Concert at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 6 pm, to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the canonization of their founding fathers, St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and Provincial of the Goa Province of the Jesuits Fr Roland Coelho were among those present at the gathering. According to Fr Apollo Cardozo, Superior at Casa Professa, Basilica of Bom Jesus, the coming of the Jesuits in 1542 with the arrival of St Francis Xavier in Goa gave a new perspective of liturgy and worship. "The Jesuits pioneered in bringing choral and liturgical music to Goa with the training and appointment of 'Misters' (Choir Masters) who were introduced by the Jesuits in parishes in the 16th to mid-18th Century in Goa," states Fr Cardozo. Choral Music, he adds, has its roots in Sacred Scripture and Spirituality. What was unique in this concert is the inspiration, influence, and contributions of Ignatian Spirituality that was manifested in the life and works of St Francis Xavier. Here are more details about the directors of the three Choral Concert groups, who enthralled the audience with celestial voices. The Divine Harmony Choir is directed by Jason Quadros from Moira. He is a Music Educator, Music Arranger, and Performer. He performs as a freelance musician with different musicians for various events. The Choral Group sings for nuptials, feasts, and other liturgical services in parishes. The second choral group is the Aradhon Choir directed by Omar de Loiola Pereira. He has Diplomas in Music Business Management, Audio Engineering, and Music Performance from Australia, he has performed in Australia and now in India. He is the Musical Director of two choirs -- Aradhon and InVox and has recently launched the platform Sounds From Goa to bring together these projects under one umbrella. The third choral group is the A.M.D.G. Voices. The Choir is conducted by Edgar Mendes and the musical arrangement is done by Fr Amit D'Souza, S.J. Edgar Mendes has been part of the Bombay Chambers Orchestra and has performed at various orchestras. He is a musician specializing in string instruments such as the double bass, viola, and violin. Fr Amit D’Souza, S.J., a musician, has been actively part of The Chamber Singers, a famed choral group from Pune under the Directorship of renowned choral conductor, Veronica Krishnayya. The Choral Group comprises Jesuits of Goa Province, lay musicians, and singers who are part of various choral groups. LISTEN TO THE FULL PERFORMANCE (starting at 24 min) HERE: https://youtu.be/UwP5iAVqpSw ### *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Join a discussion on Goa-related issues by posting your comments on this or other issues via email to goa...@goanet.org See archives at http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/ *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-