The Vella Composers Dr Giuseppe Vella (1827-1912), and his sons Alberto
(1866-1931), Luigi (1868-1950) and Paolo (1873-1948).
Biographical notes and a complete catalogue of their works
at the Cathedral Museum, Mdina - Malta
Collegeville (Minn.): Hill Monastic Manuscript Library St John’s University & Mdina (Malta): Cathedral Museum, 1997, 255 pp., 8°, photos, music facsimile, indexes and bibliography - ISBN 99909-51-02-0
This book, the second of a group of catalogues in
course of publication, is a useful reference tool addressed to music students,
scholars and researchers. The music of the Vella composers, one of the leading
families of music makers between the 19th and 20th centuries, represents one
of the biggest music collections to be found on the Maltese Islands (ca.
700 mss. and 19 prints). It forms part of the Cathedral Museum Archives and
covers, practically, all musical genres in the sacred, instrumental and operatic
field. The "uniqueness" of this collection justifies
the compiling of this catalogue which offers a contribution to the history
of Maltese music.