A special concert was given by the Regina Opera Company of Brooklyn, New York. This particular Sunday matinee concert proposed a whole programme consisting of 'art' songs by composers from ten countries. Malta was represented by composer Joseph Vella with his song Wahdi, Op.13. It was interpreted by soprano Pamela Agius.

Since all the songs were sung in their original language. This gave the audience a rare opportunity (perhaps the first time) to listen to the mellowness of the Maltese language used as a medium for an 'art' song. Ms Agius was accompanied on the piano by Brian Holman.

Pamela Agius was born in the US of Gozitan parentage. She is based in New York and features regularly with the Regina Opera Company. For them she has sung various roles in Madama Butterfly, Un Ballo in Maschera, Die Fledennaus and Otello.

Ms Agius holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Princeton, New Jersey, and is currently finishing a Master's in Vocal Performance. While preparing Wahdi, Pamela. whose par-ents hail from Ghajnsielem, and from whom she leamed Maltese by listening at home, told Mro Vella that she had been working hard to sing 'proper' Maltese "so that I don't sound so Gozitan!".

Ms Agius came out with flying colours. Critics wrote that she was really able to get into the piece emotionally and that the contrast in the middle section proved to be very exciting. Even though the members of the audience did not understand the words. through the singer's dynamic interpretation they could easily follow the story line, so vividly portrayed by the music.