The UGA Chamber Choir Incantato Tour Blog

Holy Toledo! High Mass & Festival Performance

2011-05-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 27 was a full day for the UGA Chamber Choir and our accompanying guests. Scheduled to sing for High Mass in the Cathedral of Toledo at 10:30 AM, we were up, in concert attire, and heading to town by 9:30.

High Mass at the Primate Cathedral of St. Mary of Toledo

Javier, our city guide from yesterday, had explained to us that the term "Holy Toledo" (Toh-lee-do) originated here in Toledo because Toledo is considered the Catholic motherland of Spain. Before King Phillip II moved the royal court to Madrid in 1651, Toledo was the political and religious capital of Spain. As such, the cathedral enjoys pride of place, and religious festivals such as June's Corpus Christi, are huge affairs. The choir was thus grateful and appreciative of the

space in which they would sing for the Mass.

In a beautiful and--especially important--resonant side chapel with a high dome, the Chamber Choir split into the choir seats on either side of the main altar. For the entrance hymn, they performed the Duruflé Ubi Caritas with Joshua Elder on the incipit. The celebrant also asked for the T.L. de Victoria Kyrie, a particularly suiting piece as Victoria was one of the most famous Spanish Renaissance composers. At the offertory, the choir performed their best rendition yet of F. Guerrero's Ave, virgo sanctissima, the notes resounding off the dome and almost swirling with the cloud of incense.

To close, the Chamber Choir presented Franz Liszt's Ave Maria. After the Mass, several people approached Dr. Andaya to congratulate the choir on their performance and express their sentiments. One German couple in particular was moved by the Ubi Caritas and was visibly crying.

Following their performance at Mass, the group enjoyed the rest of the morning and afternoon at leisure in the city, using the opportunity to find tapas for lunch, wander through the streets, and pick up souvenirs of "Toledoware," knives, and ceramics. The rest of the day was not entirely free, however, as the final concert of the 2011 Tour was fast approaching.

Final Concert - Sinagoga del Tránsito, Toledo

At 8:00 PM, the UGA Chamber Choir presented their theme concert, Cantos del Corazón al Cielo (Songs from the Heart to the Heavens) at the Sinagoga del Tránsito, a 14th century synagogue which became a church, then a military barracks, and is now restored to its original architecture but designed as an important culture heritage and museum. The Sinagoga del Tránsito is not used for services.

Performing to a packed house and standing room only, the Chamber Choir took the audience on a whirlwind tour of geographical and stylistic periods: from the early Spanish and Portuguese Renaissance to fiery German and Italian pieces with Dr. Martha Thomas (bio here), accompanying; from the didgeridoo and overtone sounds of Australian composer Sarah Hopkins to Swedish and American a cappella vocal jazz (James Sewell, solo in When I Fall in Love); from the quiet and reflective That Lonesome Road (Nathan Schreer, solo) to the joyful African American spiritual ending (Kevin Wickware & Joshua Elder, soloists in Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord), the Chamber Choir received a standing ovation from the very appreciative audience.

After a pre-concert introduction by Incantato Spain Concert Manager Katia Oceransky, Dr. Andaya introduced each song or theme to the audience. UGA rising senior and Spanish major David Okun translated.

Following their final performance, the Chamber Choir changed and enjoyed another night in Toledo on their own. It's hard to believe, but there's only one more full day left on the Iberian Peninsula!

Day 8: The Route of Don Quijote -- Castilla y La Mancha, Spain

2011-05-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, May 26, the choir traveled from Seville to Toledo, Spain, traversing across the region of Castilla y La Mancha, home to Cervantes' novel Don Quijote de La Mancha. Enroute, Stefania arranged for a stop to the famous windmills along the Ruta de Don Quijote. We stopped for pictures and to stretch our legs, then continued on to Toledo.

Toledo, as seen from our panoramic ride

After checking into Hotel Mayoral at the base of the hilltop city, we met our local guide, Javier (pictured at right), who led us on a panoramic bus tour around the city and then guided us by foot inside. We started in the old Jewish Quarter and got to take a sneak peak inside the Sinagoga del Tránsito, site of our final performance the following evening.

Following recommendations for local and authentic cuisine from Javier, the group split off to find dinner on their own.

Sevilla: land of enchantment, tapas, flamenco, and performance!

2011-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

Day 6: Tuesday, May 24: Spain & Sevilla

After leaving Serpa on Tuesday morning, the UGA Chamber Choir crossed the border into Spain and the magical land of Andalucía: home to flamenco, the tapas culture, and cities including Córdoba, Granada, and of course Sevilla! Here's a map of the trajectory:

Arriving ahead of schedule, the choir and friends explored the city center of Sevilla, including the Barrio Santa Cruz and surrounding areas, at leisure on their own. That night they checked into Hotel La Motilla and had a group dinner.

Day 7: Wednesday, May 25: Exploring Seville +Impromptu Performance + CONCERT

Wednesday was a busy day for the UGA Chamber Choir, as they kickstarted with a guided tour

of the city conducted by professional guide Daniel. Starting in Plaza España (pictured at right), they then explored the old Jewish Quarter, passing through a maze of streets into the Barrio Santa Cruz, the ancient heart of Seville. After a short break for a pick me up (some enjoyed espresso, others churros con chocolate), the tour continued as they learned about the Alcázar and ended by the cathedral.

Following an Incantato lunch at Restaurant El Cabildo across from the cathedral, the Chamber Choir then entered the Cathedral of Seville (one side pictured below), the third-largest church in the world and an absolutely stunning masterpiece of Gothic architecture, inside and out. The Chamber Choir came prepared with Ave, Virgo Sanctissima, a work by the native Sevillan composer Francisco Guerrero, who lived and worked in the Seville Cathedral during the 16th century. After finding an arched alcove to the right of the main altar, the Chamber Choir gathered in a circle and gave an impromptu performance of the Guerrero work. Surrounded by a hushed audience of surprised tourists, the choir enjoyed a special moment performing the piece in the setting most likely in which it was composed. The choir also performed the Kyrie of Tomás Luis de Victoria's Officium Defunctorum as an encore.

After two more hours of leisure around the city, the choir transfered back to the hotel to freshen up for our evening concert at the Conservatorio Superior de Música Manuel Castillo. At 8:30 PM, the choir walked onstage to a beautiful outdoor plaza of the Conservatory (performance picture, below. Dr. Mitos Andaya, conductor). They were joined by an appreciative audience which included a group of University of Georgia study abroad participants from the UGA en España - Sevilla program. Nothing like seeing some friendly, English-speaking faces! Go Dawgs!

Following the concert, the group split up to grab a bite to eat. For their last night in Sevilla, some had pre-booked tickets to a professional flamenco show in the Barrio de Santa Cruz; others wandered the lamp-lit winding streets to enjoy tapas and impromptu shows; while others took advantage of the bus transfer to get a good night's sleep after the jam-packed day!

Photo credit: Bonnie Krider and David Okun

UGA performances on the web

2011-05-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

Dear members and friends of the UGA Chamber Choir,

Below are a selection of links containing media coverage of your concerts:

Friday, May 27 Toledo concert at Sinagoga del Tránsito:

Wednesday, May 25 Sevilla concert at Conservatorio Superior :

Elegir Hoy (culture & tourism site)

Évora, Serpa, and More-- Oh my!

2011-05-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

Évora: exploration & exchange performance

Yesterday, Monday, May 23, the UGA Chamber Choir checked out of Hotel Roma in Lisbon and made their way to the town of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its University, Roman ruins (including the Temple of Diana), and several unique churches, like the St. Francis Church, a work of Franciscan origin.After a guided tour of the town by a local, registered, and extremely knowledgable guide, the choir enjoyed a few hours' free time to wander the lazy streets and buy local artisan souvenirs of cork, a product heavily produced in the region. The town has over 1,000 uses for cork, including cork purses, neckties, wallets, lunch boxes, and jewelry.

Following free time, the group enjoyed lunch at local restaurant "Mr. Snob," where the waitstaff brought trays of pork, clams, and potatoes along with other local delicacies.

After lunch, the choir arrived at the University of Évora and met with representatives of the Choir of the University of Évora and participated in a musical exchange with the University of Évora "Tuna Academica." A tuna in this case does not refer to a type of fish, but rather a type of collegiate musical ensemble native to the Iberian peninsula. Evocative of medieval troubadours, university tunas feature string instruments, drums, and voices (usually male, although there are co-ed tunas) dressed in "trajes" of tunics, boots, and cloaks embellished with patches signifying members' hometowns, majors, etc.

Standing in an open sunlit courtyard in the university complex, the UGA Chamber Choir took turns with the University Tuna, each performing two or three songs for the other group. UGA began with an early music component of Egressus Iesus secessit and portions of the Victoria Officium Defunctorum, and then moved through musical styles to showcase the eerie overtones of Past Life Melodies, the cool vocal jazz of When I Fall In Love (solo credit: Joshua Elder), and finally ending with an African American spiritual. Truly a gamut of repertoire!

In turn, the Tuna wowed and entertained us and many passersby with fun, upbeat, and rhythmic songs, many of which are native to the Alentejo region and to Portugal. In particular there were flag twirlers and acrobatic tambourine players! After the exchange, members and leadership of the Choir of the University of Évora and a few tuna members accompanied us to a gelato treat to cool off!

Serpa: local gastronomy and bellas vistas!

Culminating the Portuguese portion of our Incantato Performance Tour 2011, the choir traveled to the southern town of Serpa for dinner and overnight stay, at Hotel Estalagem de San Gens. As we soon learned was typical of the southern Alentejo region, the choir was warmly greeted at a beautiful hotel overlooking a sprawling valley, with olive groves, fruit trees, and an endless expanse of terrain. Set on a hilltop with each room affording marvelous views, it was truly a treat to spend the evening and night in Serpa.

For dinner, Tour Manager Stefania led us into the center of town where we found restaurant Molhó Bico eager to accomodate a spontaneous and very hungry group of 27. In lieu of individual ordering, the choir opted to eat "family-style" and tried all manner of local delicacies, including the famous Serpa creamy cheese, wine tastings, perfectly grilled steaks, ribs, pork, salads, and an unbelievable dessert tray. This family-owned restaurant enabled unforgettable experiences that night, with the choir and our non-singing members bonding over a truly wonderful meal.

Off to Sevilla, Spain and the Andalucía province on Tuesday. Looking forward to our next performance at the Conservatorio Superior of Seville on Wednesday!

¡Adeus Portugal, y hola España!

Photo credits: Sara Katherine Braucher, James Sewell, and David Okun

Next stop for the UGA Choir: Serpa, Portugal

2011-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Famous for its creamy cheeses, Serpa is a agricultural hilltop town of white houses located in the south-eastern corner of the Alentejo. Situated just 30 km from the Spanish border, it is an excellent base from which to explore the lower eastern side of Portugal, as well as neighboring parts of Spain. The town itself, which is walled, was founded in 400 BC by the Turdelos, one of the original peoples of Iberia. Known to the Romans by the same name, Serpa was later conquered by Geraldo Sem-Pavor in 1166, taken again by the Moors and finally regained in 1232. The town bravely resisted subsequent attacks over the centuries until a brief Spanish occupation occurred in 1707/8. Visitors to Serpa are sometimes serenaded by the town's traditional singers, who are genuine descendants of medieval troubadours.
You will experience Serpa's quaint character while staying at the Hotel Estalagem de San Gens the night of May 23. Information about the hotel can be found on your Incantato Hotel post.

[updated] High Mass, Wine Tasting, and beautiful scenery!

2011-05-22T17:18:00.000-07:00

High Mass at Church of the Martyrs, Lisbon

Today the UGA Chamber Choir performed during the 12:00 noon High Mass at the Church of the Martyrs in Lisbon. This basilica holds pride of place as Lisbon's first Catholic church and features beautiful paintings, altar decorations, and acoustics. The Mass was packed and the Chamber Choir had the opportunity to sing with the parish's Sunday choir.

For the entrance hymn, the choir performed Francisco Guerrero's Ave, Virgo Sanctissima, followed by Portuguese composer Pero de Gamboa's evocative Egressus Iesus secessit. During Communion, we featured the Duruflé Ubi Caritas with baritone Joshua Elder leading the incipit. After words of welcome, thanksgiving, and appreciation offered to the choir (in English!) by a representative of the church at the conclusion of the Mass, the choir ended with Franz Liszt's Ave Maria; the choir has been invited to return anytime, as their voices "showcased a piece of heaven."

Lunch & gelato in Cascais; wine tasting in Sintra

Following the Mass participation, the choir was treated to a wonderful Incantato lunch at a beach-front spot on the way to Cascais. Local specialties included cod, grilled pulpo (octopus), steak and mushrooms, and sweet and savory mango-chocolate-vanilla desserts!

Next we stopped briefly in the beach resort of Cascais (pronounced "cash-kaysh") to sample the local gelato at gelateria Santini. Afterwards we continued to nearby Sintra, passing a national

In Sintra we enjoyed a porto wine tasting, surrounded by bottles upon bottles of dark, light, dry, and sweet varieties of the Portuguese beverage.park on one side and crashing waves and hang gliders on the other!

Sintra was the summer resort town of the Portuguese royal family, and is set on a hilltop overlooking a lush valley and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Our backdrop included picturesqu

e European castles and palaces and the opportunity to purchase souvenirs of the local gastronomy (that's code for bottles of porto wine, rolls of cheese, and cuts of chorizo sausage!).

Returning to Hotel Roma in Lisbon tonight, choir and friends are preparing for the next leg--tomorrow we're off to do a choral exchange with the University of Évora and spend the night in Serpa.

Keep following for updates and pictures on when the University of Georgia meets the University of Évora!! Boa noite de Lisboa!

Inaugural Concert & Welcome Dinner

2011-05-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

First concert!

Last night, Saturday, May 21, the UGA Chamber Choir was joined by family, friends, and an audience of over 50 attentive Lisbon concertgoers as they performed a program entitled "Songs from the Heart to the Heavens."

Featuring repertoire from the early Renaissance through modern day Jazz and beyond, the choir demonstrated a broad range of musical styles from American, Portuguese, Australian, and Spanish composers. The audience responded to many of these, especially Sarah Hopkins' piece, Past Life Melodies, which features chanting and harmonic overtone singing. Filling the Palacio Foz Hall of Mirrors with eerie overtones elicited several "Bravos!" from our appreciative listeners.

Soloists included James Sewell on When I Fall in Love and Ben Wills on That Lonesome Road. Dr. Martha Thomas accompanied on piano for several songs. Dr. Jean Kidula played conga on Keep Your Lamps. The choir was rewarded with a standing ovation at the end of the performance. An overall memorable first night!

A quintet sang Chili con carne, a jazzy and demanding yet fun a cappella piece which details the recipe for the popular beef chili dish. We also noticed one audience member getting really into the groove with eyes closed and head bobbing.

Welcome dinner and Fado Show at O Forcado!

After the concert, the choir quickly changed and drove over to Bairro Alto, the home district of Fado, a Portuguese folkloric, musical tradition. There the choir had a nice dinner of Bacalao

(cod) and wine, while enjoying several singers and dancers.

After finishing dessert and coffee, most choir members returned, weary eyed, to the hotel to get some rest.

Photos by David Okun and Lauren Hook

Lisbon sightseeing & free time - concert tonight!

2011-05-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Although it's still late morning for our friends back in the US, here in Lisbon we've already had a full day of sightseeing and an opportunity to sample local cuisine.

At 9:00 AM, Tour Manager Stefania introduced us to Diana, who would be our Lisbon guide for the next 4 hours. Diana led us on a very informative and interesting panoramic tour of the city, and there were multiple opportunities to hop on/hop off the bus for pictures. See below.

We saw the Edward VII park, named in honor of Portugal's strategic alliance with England, as well as rode to the suburb of Belém, about 6 km from the city center. Belém is a beautiful area home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Monastery of St. Jerome and the Tower of Belém -- the latter being the port from which Portuguese sailor Vasco da Gama set sail to discover the new route to India!

While in Belém, Diana took us to the Pasteis de Belém, a pastry shop serving up the delicious Portuguese specialty pasteis de nata, since 1837! Pasteis de nata is a small custard-filled tart cake, sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon on top--a perfect way to cool down and stock up before visiting the Monastery. (The high today is 81º F!)

Afterwards we ventured back to the center of town and cruised through the Alfama district, got out and toured the "Sé" or Cathedral, and then Diana led us on a walking tour of Alfama, which included the old Jewish Quarter and a pass by the River Tagus.

At 1:00 PM the tour ended in Rossio Square (also known as Praça Dom Pedro IV), where we had free time to find lunch and walk around on our own.

It's just after 4:00 PM local time, and the choir is back at Hotel Roma freshening up for our concert. We leave at 4:30 for dress rehearsal, with the concert to follow at 6:30 PM.

Obrigado!

-David

UGA Chamber Choir presents first tour concert at the Mirror Hall of Foz Palace in Lisbon on May 21 at 6:30 P.M.

2011-05-21T00:55:00.000-07:00

What a magical venue for the first formal concert of the 2011 UGA Chamber Choir Tour to Portugal and Spain: The singers under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya will be performing at the beautiful Mirror Hall of Palacio Foz in Lisbon on Saturday, May 21, at 6:30 pm. The neo-classical Palácio Foz was designed by the Italian architect Francisco Xavier Fabri and built shortly after the great earthquake in 1755, for the Marquês de Castelo Melhor. It was purchased by the Marquês de Foz in 1886 when it received the first of many facelifts. It now houses, amongst other things, one of Lisbon’s Tourist Information centres and an art gallery. It is magnificently decorated internally and the ballroom features outstanding paintings by Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro (1857-1929), one of the leading painters of his generation and a master of realism in Portugal.

Awaiting the choir's arrival!

2011-05-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

For all of our friends and family back home, Oi do Lisboa! My name is David Okun and along with Lauren and others, I'll be updating the Tour blog throughout our adventures in Portugal and Spain.

It's 4:00 PM local time, and the rest of the choir is due to arrive at 5:35 PM from their layover in London. Stefania and I are checked into the hotel and will be departing shortly to meet them.

Above is the sign I made to welcome them! And below are some of my first impressions from Portugal.

Tonight, Dr. Andaya has arranged for a brief rehearsal to get everyone up to speed, then it's off to dinner and exploring downtown Lisbon on our own.

We're staying at the Hotel Roma, which is right beside the "Roma" metro stop -- easy access to Baixa-Chiado, the veritable center of town. Our first concert is tomorrow at the Palacio Foz (Mirror Hall) at 6:30 PM, after which we head to our welcome dinner and Fado show!

Check out the concert details on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130094380401577

Concert posters and flyers are up around town already. Many thanks to Incantato for the publicity. We hope for a packed house tomorrow for our inaugural concert. Pictures to follow!

For now, all you folks back home, take a look at some of what Lisbon has to offer.

Adeus!

Rosé and White porto wine:

The Bairro Alto district

The beautiful port area of nearby Belém, with the Tower of Belém (from where Vasco da Gama set sail for India) in the distance

Welcom to Lisbon, Portugal dear Members of the UGA Chamber Choir

2011-05-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal, is the twelfth most populated urban area in the European Union. Lisbon is the westernmost capital city in Europe, lying on the western Iberian Peninsula along the Atlantic Ocean and Tagus River, less than 200 miles northwest of Cape Spartel, Africa.

Lisbon is recognized as an alpha city due to its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education, and tourism. It is the world’s 25^th most livable city, according to the lifestyle magazine Monocle, and the sixth most visited city in Southern Europe with more than two million tourists annually.

Lisbon reigns as one of the world’s oldest cities. Unlike most capital cities, Lisbon’s status as the capital of Portugal has never been confirmed or granted officially—neither by statute nor written form. Its position as the capital has formed through constitutional convention, making its position as de facto capital a part of the Constitution of Portugal. The city boasts two registered UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Belem Tower constructed during the maritime exploration, and the Manueline-style Jeronimos Monastery. Lisbon was honored in 1994 as the European Capital of Culture.

Lisbon enjoys subtropical-Mediterranean climate. Among all of Europe’s metropolises, Lisbon experiences the warmest winters with average temperatures of 59 degrees Fahrenheit from December through February. The typical summer season lasts approximately six months, from May through October, however November, March and April often also experience temperatures upwards of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. While in Lisbon, why not explore the city by riding the famous street cars or enjoy watching people strolling by at one of the beautiful plazas.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

Home away from home: Hotel Roma, Lisbon, May 20, 21 and 22

2011-05-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

The first home away from home for the UGA Chamber Choir during their 2011 Incantato Tour to Portugal and Spain will be the Hotel Roma in Lisbon, Portugal. Centrally located in Lisbon's exclusive Alvalade district near many theaters and restaurants, Hotel Roma offers spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi.
All of Hotel Roma's rooms feature satellite TV, work desk, air conditioning, telephone, safe and a private bathroom with tub and hairdryer.

Spanish Nightlife

2011-05-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Can you believe we're leaving later this week? I'm so excited! I wanted to share really quick with you guys my experiences in Spain por la noche. The nightlife in Spain is of course incredible, but like I wrote about meal times, their schedule is a bit different. Photos are all mine.

Since dinner or la cena is typically around 9pm or later, the entire schedule is shifted forward a few hours. Here in Athens people are downtown by 11 or midnight, but in Spain that's not always the case. Sure it makes sense to be out partying around midnight if you know all the local bars are going to close at 2am. However, what if your favorite places didn't even open until 3am?

3 in the morning?

Shouldn't we be going home about then?

Think again. 3am is the magic hour in Spain. The hour when all the discotecas (clubs) open. I know it sounds crazy, maybe beyond your functioning capacity, but stay with me. Let me provide some context.

Ok, so we'll back up to dinner time. We just had a wonderful, light meal of tapas, and we're finishing our glasses of wine as we sit in an open aired plaza. Sure, it's past 10, but what catches our eye is how lively the city is! No one is on their way home, if anything there are couples and groups of friends just taking a seat.

At this hour, people are still hopping from bar to bar, tasting and sampling small dishes as well as the house wines. This process honestly continues well into the night and early morning until magic hour comes around and we can finally go dance.

Sure, that sounds lovely and magical. Straight out of a movie. But isn't that expensive? What do the students do?

Glad you asked. Students in Spain are broke, and I'm sure most of our readers can relate. Thankfully, a general lack of funds hardly serves to damper the mood. If anything it just forces the Spanish youth to be more creative.

Their solution to passing the hours of the night before magic hour? A botellón. Picture a picnic. We're in a park, right? Or some public, scenic space. But, it's nighttime, and we're all dressed in club attire. Also, there's no food, just booze. Preferably in makeshift containers that fit discretely into a handbag. That's a botellón.

(10 points if you can spot me in this photo. My hair was a lot different last year. Hint: I'm wearing black :P)

Once magic hour arrives, everyone migrates to a favored club and doesn't stop dancing until the music stops. As you leave and make your way to the metro, make sure to take a moment to breathe in the fresh morning air and watch the sun rise! Kudos if you go get breakfast on your way home.

See you all in rehearsal!

-Lauren

As always, if you want to see more photos of my travels in Spain, check out my Flickr.

Little things to know about Spain before packing

2011-05-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

In Incantato we would love you to enjoy every single step of your way. Here you have some info on little things you might want to know about Spain before getting on the plane. Maybe they help you to enjoy better!

We have this saying:

“1 just-in-case worths more than 100 if-I-had-knew”

- It is customary to have always some kind of identification with a picture. You can use your passport or your driving license. It is good to have a photocopy of your passport done and kept elsewhere.

- In order to use a credit card, you will need to activate it and to get a pin number before coming: Let your bank know.

- American Express credit card is not accepted in many places.

- Any kind of Traveler Checks is not accepted, and if it is, it becomes very expensive

- Please click here for more info on money matters

- Generally food and clothes are more expensive in Spain than in USA.

- It is forbidden to smoke in public places from January 2011. Many smokers are quitting these months!

- Please bring a photocopy of your prescriptions in case you need medication. This is a just-in-case! The active ingredient is good to know too, as we do not always have the same medicines (though mostly)

- Old town means cobblestoned hilly streets, pedestrian areas, steps... Happy feet help to have a happy tour. Please do bring comfy shoes.

- Flip-flops are for sure not comfortable in our old towns, but they might be in the hotels. We do not go barefoot around!

- Showing your knees / shoulders is forbidden in the churches. We will be entering churches almost daily – concerts, art, history... Please bring appropriate clothing. Knee long pants/skirts. Girls can use a scarf to cover their shoulders. Men are not supposed to use it.

- Laundry service in hotels is very expensive. Still we do not have Laundromats around (few at the students area in Madrid and Barcelona)

- We are having local elections (for Municipality Mayors and Region Presidents) on May 22nd!

Please if you have any specific question do not hesitate to contact us. There is so many little things that we could tell you! The best is that you will come to see them!

Hasta la vista!

The UGA Camber Choir in concert at Conservatory Cloister in Sevilla, Wednesday, May 25th 2011, 8:30 P.M.

2011-05-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

The UGA Camber Choir will be performing under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya at the Conservatorio Superior "Manuel Castillo", in the city of Sevilla. on Wednesday, May 25th 2011, at 8:30 P.M.
The UGA Chamber Choir will be accompanied on the piano by Dr. Martha Thomas.

The concert will take place at the cloister of this XVI century building, constructed to host the Great House of the Carmelite Monks, which has been based here since the XIV century.
The Monastery was among the most important monastic orders centers, hosting art masterpieces from barroque masters as Velazquez, Murillo, Oviedo and others.

In the Independence War of the XIX, it was used as militar headquarters by Napoleonic troops, and after it became part of the Militar Headquarters in south Spain until 1978.
After huge renovation works, the Conservatory has open its activity here on the year 2002.

The Conservatory takes it name from the important Sevillian composer Manuel Castillo. It has been named National Official Center for Music Education as early ass 1933.

Incantato presents The University of Georgia Chamber Choir at Sinagoga del Tránsito, (Toledo), Saturday, May 21st, 8:00 P.M.

2011-05-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

The University of Georgia Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya, will perform at the very famous Sinagogue del Transito in Toledo on Saturday, May 21st 2011, at 8:00 P.M.

The Sinagoga del Tránsito, is the popular name given to the Synagogue of Samuel ha-Leví, and is one of the most important examples of Hispano-Jewish art. It was built in the 14th century and is decorated with Mudejar elements and beautiful geometric motifs, flowers and inscriptions in Arabic and Hebrew.

The building was part of a sumptuous palace built in the 15th century and it was erected in the days when the Jewish community had an enviable position in the society of the era, with privileged posts in the Administration and Tax Collection Authorities.

King Don Pedro even openly protected the Jews, and synagogues saw their heyday under his reign (1350-1369), as they were protected even when a Papal Bulla had banned the erection of new Hebrew temples, and only allowed the refurbishment of those already constructed. When King Don Pedro built it, he defied all the laws about synagogues being smaller and lower than churches.

It features Nasris-style polychrome stucco-work, Hebrew inscriptions of the names of God, multifoil arches and Mudéjar panelled ceiling.

In the 16th century it became a church of Saint Benito. Later at the 17th century the name changed into Church of the Nuestra Senora del Transito. The name derives from the painting: Transit of Virgin. The synagogue was also used as military headquarters during the Napoleonic Wars. In 1877 the building became a national monument. The transformation of the building into the Sephardi Museum, as it is now officially called, started around 1910.

Measures conversion

2011-05-06T01:34:00.000-07:00

Measures comversion chart

Please notice Money conversion changes everyday. Also Time conversion may vary.

Europe	USA - Georgia		USA - Georgia	Spain
1 euros	1,43 dollars	x 1,43	1 USD	0,7 EUR	x 0,7
1 sq meter	10,76 sq yard	x 1,19	1 yr2	0,83 m2	x 0,83
1 Meter (m)	3,28 feet	x 3	1 feet	0,3 metros	x 0,3
1 Kilometer	0,62 miles	x 0,62	1 miles	1,61 Km	x 1,61
1 kilograms	2,20 pounds	x 2,2	1 pound(lb)	0,45 Kg	x 0,45
1 liter	0,26 gallons	x 0,26	1 gal	3,79 l	x 3,79
10º Celsius	50º fahrenheit		60º F	15,5º C
20 ºC	68º F		70º F	21,1º C
30º C	86º F		80º F	26,6º C
12:00 noon	6 am (behind)	- 6 hrs	12:00 noon	6 am (ahead)	+ 6 hrs

Spanish meals and most typical dishes

2011-05-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

Dear travellers, here you have some suggestions on Spanish food issues: Meals and dishes.

Notice you will find local specialties by city as well, in other posts. Cuisine is a part of the culture, so be adventorous and enjoy it!

MEALS:

Breakfast: is small in Spain. Better said, just coffe - sometimes with a roll - is quite an usual breakfast. Then we have “el pincho” or “el café” – like an early lunch. This is when we have something to eat. It usually takes people out of their offices from 11 to 12… so this it the time when you have the longest lines in the banks, etc...!

Tapas: We call so to different appetizers we use to combine and share in a meal. It helps you to try different foods. Tapa means literally “lid”, coming from the Medieval Times, when they used to serve slices of ham/cheese/bread etc on top of the wine carafe.Tapas are great as they are cheap and small. So is a good way to try different food.

Comida: late big lunch: we usually have a great meal around 2 – 3 pm. We have 2 courses and dessert.

MENU: is what we call “Plate of the day”, it is usually a great option: freshest food, 2 courses and dessert/coffee and sometimes also the drink for 10-15 Euros.

Cena: our dinner time: at home, it is usually small: one dish often with salad/dairy. But when eating outside it is as big as Comida (lunch). It is usually a bit more expensive than Comida too.

LA CUENTA: Please ask for the bill as soon as you get served the last thing you ordered. It takes forever to get bills!! This system will allow you to leave as soon as you finish. If not, you will be waiting a long time!

FOOD YOU SHOULD TRY, FROM ALL OVER SPAIN:

Jamón Serrano: One of the most famous Spanish specialties. It is pork cured ham. It has to be from Iberian Black Pork – not from the pink pig. Then of course you have different qualities:

Blanco: Not the real one. This is done from pink pig fed with bad fodder.

Ibérico: it means it is from the Iberian Black Pork: less fat, healthier.

Bellota: The best: It is Ibérico but the pork is fed naturally only with acorn.

Olive oil: You will find it best in Mediterranean Coast and South Spain. The pure juice press in cold is called: Extra Virgen.

Other qualities are lower, not really so good - and Orujo is really bad.

Olive oil varies from transparent gold to cloudy green. It is naturally bitter and the acidity decreases with transparency and yellow. We love thick cloudy green one – really thick, and really bitter.

Gazpacho: This cold tomato and garlic soup is only to be found in Mediterranean

and South Spain area, and only in summer. Much of the gazpacho you will find will be done with the “tomato concentrated” can, so ask if they have the "real" one…

and of course, we have to present one of our most favourite sweet proposals:

Chocolate con churros: This is hot chocolate to dip churros inside. Churro is a fritter: a long dough fried and covered with sugar. Do not worry, you will loose the calories with the walking!

UGA Chamber Choir 2011 Performance Tour - flight schedule

2011-05-05T10:15:00.000-07:00

Those of you choosing the air/land package will be flying the friendly skies on one of the world's premier airlines, British Airways. For more information on your on-board experience, please visit the British Airways website. The Incantato Tours team wishes you a safe and relaxing flight.

Departure to Europe:

Thursday, May 19, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA226, leave ATLANTA (ATL) at 9:15PM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 10:15AM on Friday, May 20, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA502, leave LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 2:55PM

Arrive in LISBON (LIS) at 5:35PM

Return to USA:

Sunday, May 29, 2011

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA455, leave MADRID (MAD) at 7:05AM

Arrive at LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 8:20AM

BRITISH AIRWAYS flight BA227, leave LONDON-HEATHROW (LHR) at 3:00PM

Arrive in ATLANTA (ATL) at 7:05PM

When and what to eat in Spain

2011-04-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

My name is Lauren Hook, and I’ll be singing Soprano for UGA’s Chamber Choir Tour. I’ve spent a lot of time in Spain, and I wanted to post a few blog entries about my experiences before we head out. I’d like to start things off with a special on Spanish food, as I consider myself an adamant foodie. All photos are my own.

One big difference you’ll notice when we get to Spain is how many meals they have each day. So, instead of having three meals as we typically do in the US, Spain has five. There are even specific verbs to use in reference to you eating at a specific time. Think of it this way, instead of going to lunch, the verb is simply to lunch. And you don’t eat dinner, you simply dinner.

1. Desayunar

To start the day off, we have desayuno (noun) or desayunar (verb) to refer to breakfast. Breakfast in Spain is lighter than what we have in the US. No IHOPs or anything of the sort. You’ll have desayuno specials that include several items for one price, typically 2-6 euro depending on where you are and what’s included.

Some examples could be: zumo de naranja (OJ, freshly squeezed), café con leche (espresso and milk), bollería (some type of pastry, maybe a croissant), or tostadas (toasted baguette with your choice of olive oil, tomato spread, ham, and cheese). Desayuno is in general a great deal. Consequently you’ll see the tables at the local cafes packed with customers in the morning.

2. Almorzar

The second meal is almuerzo and its respective noun is almorzar. In American Spanish classes, the literal translation is lunch, but in Spain at least, I found that misleading. Almuerzo is a mid morning snack between 11 and 12 before lunch. You’ll have a café con leche and some type of bolleria.

3. Comer

The most important meal of the day is lunch – it takes the longest and you eat the most. The main verb for “to eat” is the verb used for this meal – comer. Lunch is normally held during siesta hour between 2 and 4. If you show up any later, chances are you’ll be turned away for lack of space or time. It’s not common for Spanish restaurants to have a wait-to-be seated list, so if there are no tables open, best to come back another day.

During lunch hour, you’ll see restaurants with signs outside their doors detailing their respective menú del día, or menu of the day. This is a fixed menu. One price, normally around 10 euro, includes a drink (wine is a highly recommended option), two meal courses, and a choice of coffee or dessert.

But hey, if you’re on your feet all day sightseeing like crazy, try making a bocadillo, a sandwich on a baguette, with jamón serrano, chorizo, queso, or tortilla de patata, which is a Spanish omelette with potatoes and sometimes onion. Yum.

4. Merendar

Merienda is the next meal of the day (respective verb being merendar), and it’s similar to almuerzo because it’s a pre-meal snack. But in merienda’s case, we’re snacking between 5 and 7 before dinner. Have another coffee and pastry, or try one of my favorite foods in Spain: churros con chocolate.

When you think of churros you might imagine ridged, stiff, fried, cinnamon-sugar covered dough. Sure, these are great, but I’m talking about something else. Churros in Spain come in a thicker, larger varieties, sometimes referred to as porras. What you won’t see is the cinnamon. Instead, you ask for a steaming taza (cup) of hot chocolate. If you’ve never had it, Spanish hot chocolate will redefine hot chocolate for you. The Spanish version is closer in consistency to melted chocolate or pudding chocolate. It’s nothing like our watery Swiss Miss (sad if you ask me) attempts.

Just put a bit of sugar on your plate, dip a churro in the sugar, and then proceed to dip again in the chocolate. Enjoy. What’s even better is that these are normally available for breakfast too!

5. Cenar

Finally we’ve arrived to dinner. By now it’s most likely 9pm or later, and before proceeding to dance the night away (I’m not even kidding; see my next post), we should have a lighter meal, our cena (verb cenar). This is where tapas, or pinchos in the north, come in.

These dishes are small affairs – servings for individuals or a few people. Some bars insist you help yourself from what is already displayed on the bar; sometimes you can have tapas at a sit-down restaurant.

Pay 3 euro for a glass of vino tinto or vino blanco and order a few tapas to share with your friends. What’s fun about dinner is that it’s not uncommon to barhop. Get a drink and a few snacks at one place, talk for awhile, then find another lively place down the street. Continue as you see fit.

¡Qué aproveche! (Enjoy your meal)

I honestly can’t wait to taste Portugal’s culinary offerings. See you all in rehearsal!

-Lauren

If you want to see more photos from my travels in Spain, check out my Flickr.

Welcome to Spain!

2011-04-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco.
With an area of 504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences, often simultaneously, since prehistoric times and through the dawn of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today - making it the world's second most spoken language by native speakers. Spain is a democracy organised in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy. It is a developed country with the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards.

Your performance tour travel route through Portugal and Spain

2011-04-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Home away from home: Hotel Mayoral, Toledo, May 26, 27 and 28

2011-04-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

The last three nights in Spain from May 26 until May 29, the UGA Chamber Choir will stay in the Hotel Mayoral in Toledo. In 2003, the hotel was fully renovated hotel and it is centrally located just outside of the historical city center. The 110 rooms feature air conditioning, cable TV, mini bar, a private bathroom, hairdryer and wifi internet.

Home away from home: Hotel La Motilla, Sevilla, May 24 and May 25

2011-04-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir's first home in Spain is just outside of the town of Sevilla. Hotel La Motilla is located in the 'La Motilla' area, about 15 minutes drive from downtown. With a coffee shop, bar, pizzeria and a swimming pool the hotel also offers 24/7 front desk staff. The hotel has 101 large rooms, all decorated in different colour schemes and comfortably furnished with large beds, tables, air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, private bathroom with hairdryer, minibar and a safe deposit box.
Here is a little info on the town of Sevilla (known as Seville in English) from the website of the Spanish tourism office: Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville has a rich Moorish heritage, and used to be a prosperous port that carried out trade with the Americas. The streets and squares in the historic quarter of the capital of Andalusia are lively and busy. They treasure many constructions that have the World Heritage designation, and many districts are full of traditional culture, like Triana and La Macarena. Seville is a prominent business and service centre in the south of Spain and has many hotels distributed all over the city which enable visitors to discover endless attractions. Museums and art centres, theme parks, cinemas, theatres and clubs are some of the many leisure options that a great city like Seville holds. Without forgetting, of course, the numerous terraces, inns and bars where visitors can practise one of the most deeply-rooted and tasty traditions in the city: "Going out for tapas"

Home away from home: Hotel Estalagem de San Gens, Serpa, May 23

2011-04-27T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Hotel Estalagem de San Gens is situated in the elevated zone of Sao Gens, next to the Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe’s Chapel and the Spanish border. It has an excellent strategic location, a dazzling view over the village of Serpa and a natural landscape as far as the eye can see. In the bar and restaurant you can sample local cuisine, such as the famous Serpa cheese, sausages and wine. The hotel has 18 rooms that are uniquely furnished and it is said that the accommodations offer a beautiful view.
Now let's explore the cuisine of Alentejo a bit more - with this excerpt taken from visitportugal.com: The Alentejo was formerly a major grain producer. Whereas out among the Hispanic oaks and olive trees, large herds of pigs pastured on the open plain. Thus, bread, pork and olive oil form the bases of one of the best-developed regional cuisines of Portugal. Of particular note is the way herbs and spices are deployed to infuse countryside aromas.
Soup represents a main dish and may be served cold, as in Alentejo gaspacho, or hot with bread an essential feature in game, cod or tomato and sausage soups. The wheat influence continues with the ‘migas’ breadcrumbs that are served with pork, or the stewed lamb bread dish ‘ensopado de borrego’ or in the stewed bread embodying the ‘açorda Alentejana’. Any of these specialities can be found in any self-respecting restaurant in Estremoz, Évora or Beja. Alternatively, opt for a plate of game, highly typical of the Alentejo’s gastronomy, and gain a great insight into quality rural cooking! Over by the coastline, the fish and shellfish come back into play to make their own particular culinary contribution. And the quality of the fish in south-west Alentejo is another high point to this region’s culinary heritage.

New additions to your Incantato Tour Blog!

2011-02-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Dear UGA Chamber Choir travelers,
We have added some new, important, and exciting information to your Incantato Performance Tour Blog. Please click the links below to learn more about your upcoming journey. Be sure to check back regularly for further updates and browse the rest of the blog for fun destination information.

Travel information:

Enjoy the University of Georgia Chamber Choir tour blog? Then become a follower and never miss an update

2011-02-17T10:29:00.001-08:00

Dear Members, Family and Friends of the University of Georgia Chamber Choir, we sure hope you enjoy the blog and recommend that you become a follower by clicking on the respective option in the right side bar of this webpage. As a follower, you will never miss an update and once the group heads over to Europe there should be lots of news coming your way. You can also leave comments which are like virtual greetings. Our tour team will pass those messages to the travelers on tour whenever possible. Everyone at Incantato Tours wishes you well as you prepare for this exciting journey under the leadership of Dr. Mitos Andaya.

Updated Itinerary for UGA Chamber Choir 2011 Performance Tour to Spain and Portugal

2010-10-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Incantato blog for the 2011 UGA Performance Tour to Spain and Portugal. This itinerary is still a work in progress. Details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!

DAY 1 Thursday, May 19, 2011
Overnight flight to Lisbon
Those of you choosing the air-land package will be traveling with British Airways via London to Lisbon.

DAY 2 Friday, May 20
Welcome to Portugal
Upon arrival in Lisbon, you will meet your Incantato Tour Manager and driver at the airport. Enjoy an orientation tour of Lisbon’s highlights followed by free time, a traditional welcome dinner with local specialties, and first overnight on Portuguese soil.

DAY 3 Saturday, May 21
Lisbon in-depth
Explore the capital city’s many highlights with a local guide, then enjoy the afternoon at leisure to visit museums and ride the famous street cars. First performance opportunity in the evening.

DAY 4 Sunday, May 22
Azambuja Reception & Concert

Let the wonderful people of small town Azambuja be your hosts as they show you their town and let you taste their artisan products. Then fill the ancient monastery church for a highlight concert followed by a special reception.

DAY 5 Monday, May 23
Evora & Musical Alentejo
You‘ll experience a rapid change in scenery as you travel through Alentejo. First stop is the UNESCO World Heritage town of Evora for a guided tour, then continue to Serpa for a choral exchange.

DAY 6 Tuesday, May 24
To Spain & Sevilla
You are in for a treat today after crossing into Spain as your next stop is beautiful Sevilla.

DAY 7 Wednesday, May 25
More time & Concert in Sevilla
Enjoy time at leisure in beautiful Sevilla, then prepare for a performance followed by a traditional dinner.

DAY 8 Thursday, May 26
To Toledo - City Tour
Toledo was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures.

DAY 9 Friday, May 27
Toledo Mass & Concert
There is lots more to see and do as you explore Toledo with a guide and on your own. Then prepare for High Mass at the Cathedral followed by a formal concert.

DAY 10 Saturday, May 28
Leisure Day - Farewell Dinner
Today features a relaxed day in either Toledo or Madrid. A tapas farewell dinner party concludes the tour.

DAY 11 Sunday, May 29
Return Flight to Atlanta
Return home with memories to last a lifetime.

Highlights
• See and experience both major cities and
off-the-beaten path gems of Portugal & Spain
• Up to four professionally organized and promoted formal concerts, plus mass participation and recitals in magnificent venues for the UGA Chamber Choir
• Plenty of opportunities for immersion into
the local culture, exchanges with local singers
• Educational and entertaining sightseeing
• Quality hotels in convenient locations, great food,
free time for individual explorations ...

Performance Venues
• University, Palace Foz, Basilica da Estrela—LISBON
• various venues TBD —AZAMBUJA/SERPA
• Conservatory —SEVILLA
• Catedral, Santo Tomé —TOLEDO

The above listed venues have been carefully selected by Incantato‘s Concert Managers and will be requested for your choir and travel dates. Final confirmation is based on submission of repertoire and recording as well as final approval by the local music director.

Accommodation, Tour Meals & Transportation
Incantato‘s Hospitality Managers take pride in working only with pre-inspected hotels that fit your budget and selected restaurants frequented by locals. To keep overall cost low, we selected quality 3 & 4 star hotels in the vicinity of the cities, but are also qualified to propose upgraded or centrally located hotels. We included daily buffet breakfasts at the hotel plus one lunch and four dinners featuring typical dishes served in charming places. Your Incantato Tour Manager is with the group 24/7 to coordinate scheduled activities and offer advice during free-time. Transportation is via modern, air-conditioned motor coach from start to finish.

About Travel Insurance - Make sure are protected

2010-09-09T23:24:00.001-07:00

Incantato Tours strongly recommends getting travel insurance for your upcoming journey. Not only are you covered medically should anything happen when traveling, but with TravelGuard's policies, you also protect your investment should you have to cancel or interrupt the trip. Last but not least, there is also coverage for delayed and lost luggage, etc.
Here is a direct line to purchase travel insurance online, and you can do so with your credit cards and also select the option that is best for you.

In the meantime, have a look at the most comprehensive coverage option The Protect Assist Gold below.

Protect Assist (Gold) -

Comprehensive Travel Protection for the World Traveler

Trip Cancellation
JUST ADDED! - Trip Cancellation due to employment loss or layoff
if employed with the same employer 1 year or longer
Trip Interruption and Travel Delay
Emergency Medical and Emergency Medical Transportation
Baggage and Travel Document Protection
Baggage Delay and Lost Baggage Tracking
NEW - Cancel For Any Reason option now available
NEW - Cancel For Work Reasons option now available
NEW - Children age 17 and under covered at no additional cost
IMPROVED -Trip Cancellation limit increased to $100,000 (from $15,000),
IMPROVED - Trip Interruption coverage increased to 150% of Trip Cost
IMPROVED - Travel Delay required hours reduced to 5 hours (from 12)

ProtectAssist special features:

Best coverage for Weather Related Cancellations
Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver*
Default/Bankruptcy Protection*
$50,000 Flight Accident Insurance*
24-Hour "LiveTravel" Travel Agency
Emergency Cash Transfers
Identity Theft Restoration

Comprehensive non-insurance travel services* automatically included with plan!With the ProtectAssist plan, every customer also has access to these valuable travel services when they travel:· Arrangements for last-minute flight changes· Hotel finder and reservations· Rental car reservations· Emergency medical assistance· BagTrak® -- lost baggage tracking· Pre-trip health and safety advisories· Live e-mail and phone messaging to family and friends· Cash transfers· Airport transportation· Golf course reservations· Event ticketing· Floral services· Identity Theft restoration
Business Assistant* (available when Optional Cancel for Work Reasons coverage is purchased)

*Non-Insurance services are provided by AIG Travel Assist.

Eligibility
Citizenship: All Nationalities
Residency: United States
New York, Oregon, and Washington residence please call to purchase
Some rider options are not available and other restrictions may apply
Destination: Worldwide
Ages: All Ages
Max Trip Length: 365 Days

Travel Tip: What to pack?

2010-08-25T09:49:00.001-07:00

Dear members of the UGA Chamber Choir,
As your departure for your 2011 performance tour comes closer and closer, Incantato Tours provides you with different travel tips to make it easier for you to get ready for your trip.

For most people, packing for a trip is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it: "You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advice: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."

Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf is a good solution to this code. And shorts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents).
Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person and a small carry-on such as a bag pack or small duffel.

A sample packing list (just a suggestion!)
* Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert
* Umbrella
* An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
* Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
* At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
* a sweater or two
* Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
* Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
* A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables)
* Choir music and attire
* Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
* Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules.http://www.tsa.gov/311/
* All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounces. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.

If you forget anything there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Travel Tip: Money matters

2010-08-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Dear travelers, Money is a delicate subject. The best way to use your money during your upcoming trip is to have a debit card; this allows you to withdraw money from any ATM machine with only being charged a small withdrawal fee. The fee differs between banks. Be sure to call your bank before your departure to tell them where you are going and for how long so they won't freeze your account. The debit cards given by the bank has the compatibility of Visa, MasterCard, however, Visa is the most widely accepted worldwide. If you bring cash, you can exchange it but you will lose more money as they charge for their services. Most places in Europe won't accept traveler's checks anymore. Also, be prepared to pay for water and a little fee for restroom use. Last not least, there are no free refills on soft drinks in Europe which is why most Europeans ask for little to no ice in their drinks.
We suggest you have some spending money available and our recommendation is around 20 Dollar per day for the meals not included, snacks, drinks, postcards, some souvenirs. It is not imperative that you have this amount of money. There are many ways to lower your expenses such as:
· Most restaurants have menus outside so you can check their price range.
· Venture off the main roads to find a restaurant. These usually have more character, better food, and better prices.
· Bring your own water bottle. Most places have safe tap water to fill up with.
· Buy food from the "convenient" stores. You don't have to sit down in the restaurant for every meal.
· Shop around for souvenirs; many stores have the same things on sale for very different prices.

Last not least, remember that your Incantato Tour Manager is with you pretty much 24/7. The guide is there to help you make the right choices.

Travel Tip: High voltage

2010-08-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Dear travelers,
To charge your digital cameras, laptops, etc. in Europe during your Incantato performance tour, you will need an adapter. The U.S. plug (2 or 3 prong here in the U.S.) will not fit in a European socket. In most cases the European socket takes a plug with 2 round prongs.
The adapters allow an U.S. plug to plug in to the back of the adapter and the front of the adapter plugs into the European socket. You'll find adapters at stores like Radio Shack, Walmart or online at amazon.com.

Welcome to Portugal!

2010-08-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, lies in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The westernmost country in Europe, Portugal is bordered to the west and south by the Atlantic Ocean and Spain to the north and east. Although originally settled in prehistoric times, Portugal did not become an established nation-state until 1143 during the Christian Reconquista. The country is the self-proclaimed oldest European nation-state.

In the 15^th and 16^th centuries, as a result of the maritime exploration, Portugal established a global empire that included property possessions in Africa, Asia, and South America, thus becoming the world’s prime economic, political and military power of the time.

Portugal is a developed country with the world’s 19^th highest quality of life, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. It is the 13^th most peaceful and 8^th most globalized country in the world.

Portuguese music encompasses a wide variety of genres. The most renowned is fado, a melancholy urban music normally associated with Portuguese guitar and themes of longing. Fandango is one of the most popular regional dances, a lively Andalusian folk dance performed in triple-meter.

Flag photo courtesy of Wikipedia. Video courtesy of YouTube.

Watch a traditional Fandango dancer perform to the live accompaniment of authentic Portuguese guitarists:

Visit the historical city of Evora, Portugal

2010-08-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Evora, a Portuguese city in the municipality of Evora, is home to approximately 42,000 inhabitants. Evora is ranked second in the annual survey of most liveable Portuguese cities and first in a study concerning the competitiveness of the 18 Portuguese district capitals.

Due to its well-preserved old town center, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, and numerous monuments dating from various historical periods, including a Roman Temple, Evora is recognized as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This museum-city, whose roots go back to Roman times, reached its golden age in the 15th century, when it became the residence of the Portuguese kings. Its unique quality stems from the whitewashed houses decorated with azulejos and wrought-iron balconies dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Its monuments had a profound influence on Portuguese architecture in Brazil.

Photo courtesy of UNESCO

Visit beautiful Seville

2010-08-20T13:07:00.000-07:00

Situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, Seville has a rich Moorish heritage, and used to be a prosperous port that carried out trade with the Americas.
The streets and squares in the historic quarter of the capital of Andalusia are lively and busy. They treasure many constructions that have the World Heritage designation, and many districts, such as Triana and La Macarena, are full of traditional culture.
Seville is a prominent business and service centre in the south of Spain and has many hotels distributed all over the city which enable visitors to discover endless attractions. Museums and art centers, theme parks, cinemas, theatres and clubs are some of the many leisure options that a great city like Seville holds. Without forgetting, of course, the numerous terraces, inns and bars where visitors can practice one of the most deeply rooted and tasty traditions in the city: "Going out for tapas".

Another good excuse to come to the Sevillian capital is the festivals. The celebrations of Easter Week and Feria de Abril (the April Fair), which have been declared of National Tourist Interest, reflect the devotion and folklore of the people of Seville, always open and friendly to visitors. But Seville's appeal does not end there, as the city is also the starting point for the many cultural routes the province offers, such as the Roman Bética Route or the Washington Irving route.
The visitor will also discover the immense natural wealth of this region, which sits halfway between two continents, in natural treasures such as the Doñana Nature Reserve, declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and the Sierra Norte Nature Reserve. They will be the ideal setting for practicing outdoor sports, including hiking, horse riding, and cycling routes. If, on the other hand, golf is your sport of choice, then you will be glad to know that Seville has four excellent golf courses in its vicinity.

Explore Toledo

2010-08-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Toledo is a municipality located in central Spain, 70 km south of Madrid. It is the capital of the province of Toledo. It is also the capital of autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage as one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire and place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures. Many famous people and artists were born or lived in Toledo, including Al-Zarqali, Garcilaso de la Vega, Eleanor of Toledo, Alfonso X and El Greco. It was also the place of important historic events such as the Visigothic Councils of Toledo. The city has a population of 78,618 and an area of 89.59 square miles.
Having been populated since the Bronze Age, Toledo (Toletum in Latin) gained relevance during Roman times, being a main commercial and administrative center in the roman province of Tarraconensis. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Toledo served as the capital city of Visigothic Spain, beginning with Liuvigild (Leovigild), and was the capital of Spain until the Moors conquered Iberia in the 8th century. Under the Caliphate of Cordoba, Toledo enjoyed a golden age. This extensive period is known as La Convivencia, i.e. the co-existence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Under Arab rule, Toledo was called Tulaytulah. After the fall of the Caliphate, Toledo was the capital city of one of the richest Taifa Muslim kingdoms of Al-Andalus, and, because of its central location in the Iberian Peninsula, Toledo took a central position in the struggles between the Muslim and Christian rulers of northern Spain. Remains of Roman circus at Toledo. On May 25, 1085 Alfonso VI of Castile took Toledo and established direct personal control over the Moorish city from which he had been exacting tribute, and ending the mediaeval Taifa's Kingdom of Toledo. This was the first concrete step taken by the combined kingdom of Leon-Castile in the Reconquista by Christian forces. After castilian conquest Toledo remained as a main cultural centre; its Arab libraries weren't savaged, and a tag-team translation centre was established, in which books in Arabic would be translated from Arabic or Hebrew to Spanish by Arab and Jewish scholars, and from Spanish to Latin by castilian scholars, thus letting the old-lost knowledge spread through Christian Europe again. For some time during the 16th century, Toledo served as the capital city of Castile, and the city flourished. However, soon enough the Spanish court was moved first to Valladolid and then to Madrid, thus letting the city's relevance dwindle until the late 20th century, when it was established as the capital city of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. Nevertheless, the economic decline of the city helped to preserve its cultural and architectural patrimony. Today, because of its rich heritage, Toledo is one of Spain's foremost cities, receiving thousands of visitors yearly. Toledo's Alcázar (Arabicized Latin word for palace-castle) became renowned in the 19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.
Toledo's cuisine is the cuisine Castilla-rooted in its traditions and is closely linked to hunting and grazing. A good number of recipes is the result of the combination of Moorish and Christian influences. Among his specialties include the lamb roast or stew, as cuchifrito, and beans with partridge or stewed partridge, the carcamusas, the crumbs, the porridge Mancha and the tortilla to the lean. Two of the foods that have brought fame to the city of Toledo are the Manchego cheese and marzipan, which has a denomination of origin itself, the marzipan of Toledo.

Toledo Sightseeing: Santo Tomé & "The Burial of Count Orgaz"

2010-08-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

Dating from the 14^th century, Toledo’s Santo Tomé is best known for housing El Greco’s most famous painting, The Burial of Count Orgaz.

Santo Tomé was founded in the 12^th century, but completely restructured in the 14^th century as commissioned by the Lord of Orgaz, the subject of El Greco’s painting. Count Orgaz, born Gonzalo Ruiz, was a Toledo native and Señor of the town of Orgaz. He died in 1312, leaving substantial donations for the enlargement and detailed adornment of the Church of Santo Tomé. A pious man, Orgaz was known to donate to multiple local charities in his lifetime. It is believed according to local Toledo legend that Saint Stephen and Saint Augustine even presided over his burial. A painting depicting this legend was commissioned for the church on March 18, 1586.

The chosen painter was El Greco, who served as a member of the church. The painting was unveiled by Christmas of that year and immediately attracted attention. Spectators were especially impressed by the inclusions of realistic portraits of the Toledo’s most notable figures of the time posing as onlookers. The painting portrays the burial of Count Orgaz with the posthumous assistance of Saint Augustine and Saint Stephen miraculously appearing to thank the Count for his donations to all the religious institutions named after them.

Even more interesting about the painting is the lack of ground, horizon, sky, and perspective. There appears no conflict, and El Greco successfully achieves a convincing expression of supernatural space.

The Burial of Count Orgaz was El Greco’s first major work. Many of his later pieces are displayed in the Toledo Cathedral.

Incantato Impressions: Toledo

2010-08-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Facts about Madrid

2010-08-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third-most populous in the European Union after Paris and London.
Its sister city in the USA is New York City.
Madrid is home to Real Madrid, who plays in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid is one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in the world, having won a record 9 European Soccer Cups.
The city bid to host the 1972 Summer Olympics, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, which were lost to Munich, London, and Rio de Janeiro respectively.
Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000.
The Auditorio Nacional de Música is the main venue for classical music concerts in Madrid, is home to the Spanish National Orchestra, the Chamartín Symphony Orchestra and the venue for the symphonic concerts of the Community of Madrid Orchestra and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
The Royal Botanic Garden or Real Jardin Botanico was an 18th century creation. It was used as a base for the plant species being collected across the globe.

Enjoy a traditional tapas dinner!

2010-08-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

The word tapas, from the Latin word “tapar” meaning “to cover,” refers to a variety of appetizers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They may be served cold, such as olives and cheese, or hot, such as potatoes or fried squid. In select Spanish bars as well as some regions of North America and the United Kingdom, tapas has evolved into a well-rounded and often sophisticated cuisine. Many tapas patrons choose order a variety of tapas in order to create an entire meal.

The serving of tapas is designed with the intention of encouraging conversation, since people are less focused on intricately eating a full course meal set before them at a table. In some countries, it is even customary for diners to stand and mingle while enjoying tapas.

According to Spanish legend, the tapas tradition began when King Alfonso X of Castile treated an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. Following the successful restoration of his health, the king ordered the local taverns to cease serving wine to customers unless accompanied by a small snack or “tapa.”

According to Irma S. Rombauer’s The Joy of Cooking, tapas were originally slices of bread or meat served to sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns used to cover the drinkers’ glassed betwixt sips. At the time, this was a practical measure to deter fruit flies from landing in or hovering over the sweet beverage. The meat of choice was usually ham or chorizo, salty products chosen by crafty bartenders to induce thirst and therefore increase alcohol sales. In this sense, the tapas eventually became just as important as the sherry.

Modern tapas have evolved throughout Spanish history to incorporate ingredients and influences of many different cultures. Popular tapas today include, but are definitely not limited to, olives, meatballs, chorizo, calamares (rings of battered squid), empanadas (turnovers filled with meat and vegetables), prawns, stuffed mussels, a variety of potato presentations, peppers, scallops, and a multitude of meats including spicy beef and slow-cooked pork.

Photo courtesy of "The Culture of Tapas."

Impressions from the UGA Chamber Choir Tour to Italy 2009

2009-08-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

The Incantato Tour Team with Stefania, Sandra, Ted and Marti want to salute and thank the members of the 2009 UGA Touring Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya. Thank for the opportunity to work with and for you on this special journey to Italy and we sure hope our paths cross again soon.

Yummy Italian Food

2009-07-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir at St. Peter's Basilica

2009-06-05T09:08:00.000-07:00

Rome by night

2009-06-05T00:31:00.000-07:00

St. Peter's Square at sunset

2009-06-05T00:29:00.000-07:00

Amazing Artwork in the Vatican Museums

2009-06-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

Vatican Impressions

2009-06-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

UGA the featured guest choir for High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on June 4

2009-06-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir concludes its 2009 Incantato Italy Tour with two performances at the Vatican. The singers directed by Dr. Mitos Andaya will be the featured guest choir for High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 5 pm and then present a special recital in the Sistine Chapel.
Constituting the core of Vatican City, Saint Peter’s Basilica is the principal and one of the largest churches of the Christian world.
The present structure was built mainly between 1506 and 1626 on the original site of the Vatican cemetery and an early shrine to St. Peter. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine built the first church of St. Peter, a wood-roofed basilica, with transepts, five aisles, and an atrium. It was said to be built over the grave of St. Peter. Here, Charlemagne and many other emperors and popes were crowned. In 1452, Pope Nicholas V. undertook the rebuilding of the choir and transepts after a design by Bernardo Rossellino. Pope Julius II appointed architect Bramante to rebuild the church in 1506. He appears to have originally planned a symmetrical Greek cross with a great dome over the center. Bramante was succeeded by Raphael (1514), Antonio da San Gallo (1520), and Michelangelo (1547), who completed the building up to the drum of the great dome. Giacomo della Porta modified the design and completed the dome.
Throughout the 16th century, there was controversy over the final form in which the church would be built - the centralized Greek cruciform plan or the shape of a Latin cross. The problem was resolved in favor of the Latin cross plan, when Carlo Maderno added the nave and facade (1607-14). Unfortunately his additions obscured the dome. The church was dedicated by Urban VIII in 1626. Between 1629 and 1662, Bernini completed the great composition of St. Peter's, creating a forecourt preceded by a majestic elliptical piazza bounded by quadruple colonnades. The great obelisk of Heliopolis, brought to Rome by Caligula, was moved by Domenico Fontana, and now adorns the center of the piazza. A monumental avenue leading to the piazza was added by Mussolini. From 1996 to 1999, the facade of the church was cleaned, and a dull straw color restored to lower portions of it.
The huge scale of all the elements of the interior prevents any accurate notion of its magnitude, and its effectiveness is chiefly due to the dome, which is 404 ft (123 m) high from the pavement. The interior diameter of the dome, 137 ft (42 m) is one of the largest in the world.
Beneath, it is the high altar covered by Bernini's superb bronze baldachino. At this altar only the pope may read Mass. The interior with its colored marbles, its sculptures, and its gilt and fresco decorations gives an effect of multicolored space.
Opening hours: Oct-Mar 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Apr-Sep 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Roma -- Phone: (+39) ... -- Website: www.vatican.va

UGA Chamber sings High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica

2009-06-02T08:34:00.001-07:00

And here is a first unedited recording on Youtube.com

UGA Chamber Choir sings at Florence Duomo today

2009-06-02T05:11:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya will be performing in both major cathedrals and off-the-beaten path gems during their 2009 Italy Performance Tour. Here is an overview of the remaining performances:

June 2nd at 6:00PM High Mass and Recital at Florence Duomo
Here is the official website of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

June 4th at 5:00PM High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica followed by a private visit of the Vatican Museums and highlight recital in the Sistine Chapel

Impressions from Venice Italy - Day 6 of the 2009 UGA Italy Tour

2009-05-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

Venice Impressions - 2

2009-05-31T23:12:00.000-07:00

UGA Chamber sings High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica

2009-05-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

First UGA Italy video on Youtube

2009-05-31T00:47:00.000-07:00

Enjoy:

Highlight concert at Montù Beccaria

2009-05-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

First concert at Oratorio San Francesco

2009-05-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

UGA visits Certosa di Pavia

2009-05-30T16:23:00.000-07:00

UGA at the Certosa di Pavia

2009-05-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

UGA in Cremona

2009-05-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the slideshow showcasing the Duomo di Cremona, local specialties, the choir on tour and singing at the Monteverdi Theatre, the Stradivarius Museum etc.

Milan sightseeing and a rustic welcome dinner Italian-style

2009-05-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir singers, friends and family explored Italy's fashion and design capital Milan both on their own and with local guide Esther today. Highlights included an inside visit of the Duomo, the Scala Museum and short recital in the lobby. After leaving the city, the group headed to the picturesque town of Nazzano where a welcome dinner awaited them at the Agriturismo Belvedere. Home-made quiche, pizza and a lemon risotto were served on the outside terrace and the choir thanked the cooks with an impromptu performance Monteverdi's "Cantate domino". Daniel E. commented on dinner: "Everything I had tonight was my favorite."

Milan sightseeing and a rustic welcome dinner Italian-style - PICTURES

2009-05-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

UGA Chamber Choir arrived safe and sound in Italy

2009-05-27T07:48:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note from the Incantato Italy Team: The 21 UGA Chamber Choir singers, friends and family who traveled as a group from Atlanta via Frankfurt to Milan on Lufthansa have arrived safely in Milan. Tour manager Stefania de la Rosa welcomed the group at the airport waving a Bulldogs' flag. They are now re-united with Dr. Andaya and the other tour participants that arrived independently. Together with Prof. Masciadri and some of his students, the travelers from Athens, GA are exploring Milan and Da Vinci's Last Supper in particular prior to continuing to their base for the next few days, the town of Salice Terme where a dinner is awaiting them at the hotel.
More updates, especially about the performances will follow in the days to come.

In Italy, change is always for the better, especially when it comes to the concerts

2009-05-26T08:36:00.001-07:00

We just received news that there has been a change in venue during the UGA Chamber Choir's special appearance for the Ultrapadum Festival because of an Italian political meeting. The Sale Comunale Polivalente is now needed for a political meeting and this results in a special upgrade to a prime concert venue.

The recital that was to be held in the Sala Comunale in Vigguzolo is now relocated to the Oratorio Di San Francesco in the charming town of Pontecurone at 6 pm on Saturday, May 30. The Festival Director confirmed advised us of the venue change on Tuesday and also mentioned how happy your local contact, Prof. Masciadri is with this change as he is familiar with this venue already. And we are sure you will like singing in this beautiful church too!

The Oratorio Di San Francesco was built in the early 17th century and contains the original choir stalls still. It holds up to 100 people and with over 300 invitations being sent out - and now in a revised version - the UGA Chamber Choir may well be performing to a full house in the opening concert for this unique international choral festival in the Pavia region of Italy.

Safe travels - and remember to stay hydrated

2009-05-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

We wish all the members of the 2009 UGA Performance Tour to Italy a very safe journey as you travel to Italy on Lufthansa. A busy day in Milan awaits you upon arrival, and it is very summery in the city with temperatures between 80-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to drink plenty of water, both on and off the plane as staying hydrated is not only good for your voice, but also your overall well-being. Arriverderci in bella Italia.

The UGA Italy Tour Poster & Concert Postcard

2009-05-22T05:03:00.000-07:00

"Musica oltre i confini" is the theme for the 2009 UGA Chamber Choir Italy Performance Tour. Incantato Tour proudly presents the custom-designed poster for the highlight concert as part of the Ultrapadum Festival.
Our graphic designer, Mrs. Marti Naughton drew her inspiration from the University of Georgia school colors red and black as well as the musical theme chosen by Dr. Mitos Andaya, the director of the UGA Chamber Choir.

On the right are the front and back of the UGA Concert Postcard which highlights all performances arranged by Incantato and serves both as a marketing tool while on tour, but also as a memory keepsakes for the singers, the organization they represent and the members in the audiences.

UGA Chamber Choir sings in beautiful cathedrals and churches during the 2009 Italy Performance Tour

2009-05-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Mitos Andaya will be performing in both major cathedrals and off-the-beaten path gems. Here is an overview of the performance venues for the 2009 Italy Tour.

May 30th at 6:00PM Reception and Recital as part of the opening ceremony for the Ultrapadum Festival at Oratorio di San Francesco in the charming town of Pontecurone

May 30th at 9:15PM Ultrapadum Festival First international concert at San Michele Arcangelo Church in Montú Beccaria

May 31st at 6:45PM High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica

June 2nd at 6:00PM High Mass and Recital at Florence Duomo

June 4th at 5:00PM High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica followed by a private visit of the Vatican Museums and highlight recital in the Sistine Chapel

UGA Concert Venue on Saturday, May 30: San Michele Arcangelo

2009-05-19T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Church of Montacuto, today called Montù Beccaria, was erected in honor of St. Michael the Archangel (San Michele Arcangelo) in August 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, as declared in the will of Count Manfredi Beccaria. The building features numerous architectural styles ranging from Medieval to Baroque. The church seats about 300 people and is known as a prime concert venue in the Pavia region of Lombardia. San Michele Arcangelo is located in a beautiful yet rather unknown area of Italy. At Incantato, we encourage the fine choirs traveling with us to step off the beaten path for a full immersion into the local culture.

UGA Performance Tour Itinerary - Updated

2009-05-19T04:10:00.000-07:00

DAY 1 Tuesday, May 26 2009
Overnight group flight to Italy with Lufthansa - or on your own

DAY 2 Wednesday, May 27
Benvenuti a Milano - Group arrives MXP at 1:35 pm
Your tour manager welcomes you in Italy. Prof. Masciadri and his students arranged to meet you and organized a special visit to see the Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Then continue to Salice Terme to check in your hotel and for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Clementi.

DAY 3 Thursday, May 28
Bellissimo Milano
Morning rehearsal at the hotel, the head to Milan. Learn about this beautiful city during your guided tour to La Scala, Milano Duomo, and Castello Sforzesco. After some free time, head back towards the hotel and enjoy a wonderful buffet at a charming local restaurant called "Belvedere" - beautiful vista/view. Overnight at Hotel Clementi.

DAY 4 Friday, May 29
Cremona & Exchange Concert with Alessandria Students
Enjoy a guided tour through Cremona and then it's off to Alessandria for your exchange concert! Overnight stay at Hotel Clementi.

DAY 5 Saturday, May 30
Certosa di Pavia Visit - Festival Concert
Experience the beautiful Certosa di Pavia prior to two performances in the Ultrapadum Festival, a special reception, tasting of local foods in two unique ways and surely very appreciative audiences.

DAY 6 Sunday, May 31
Viva Venezia
After saying "arrivederci" to the Pavia area, head East to the magnificent island of Venice. Explore the island with a local guide and then enjoy the afternoon and early evening at leisure prior to singing High Mass at St. Mark's Basilica at 6:45 pm. You'll have some extra time to experience Venice island by night. Overnight in nearby Mestre at Hotel Albatros.

DAY 7 Monday, June 1
Under the Tuscan Sun
Enjoy a full-day in beautiful Tuscany with stops in Siena and San Gimignano and a rustic farm dinner in the countryside near Lucca. Late evening at leisure in Montecatini Terme - a spa town very much beloved by Verdi. Overnight stay at Hotel Francia & Quirinale.

DAY 8 Tuesday, June 2
Florence in-depth - Performance
Guided city tour of Florence’s many highlights, including entrance to the Accademia. Free time. 6:00 PM High Mass at the Duomo today followed by free time to enjoy Florence in the evening.

DAY 9 Wednesday, June 3
Off to Rome
Your journey continues south as you travel to Rome. After an orientation tour of the Eternal city, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Portamaggiore.

DAY 10 Thursday, June 4
Rome Sightseeing - High Mass
Guided sightseeing tour of „Ancient Rome“ featuring the Colosseo and Foro Romano. Free time for lunch, individual sightseeing etc. The choir sings High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at 5 pm followed by a very special private visit to the Vatican Museum and a highlight recital in the Sistine Chapel. Thereafter, enjoy a fun farewell dinner with local specialties, wine and music.

DAY 11 Friday, June 5
Return Flight to USA

Rehearsal Schedule!

2009-05-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

Hi all -- this is information from Dr. Andaya's email:

Short Rehearsals:

May 10, Sunday, 2-5pm -- read straight through music. Please come prepared!

May 11, Monday, 10am-12pm -- Sectionals with Claudio

All-Day & Night Rehearsals (MANDATORY):

May 22, Friday, 10am-9pm -- with breaks for lunch and dinner

May 23, Saturday, 10am-9pm -- with breaks for lunch and dinner. Pre-Tour Concert!

**Please invite your friends and family to our pre-tour concert Saturday night. It would be lovely to share this music with them before we go!**

**We will meet in the Choral Suite unless otherwise directed by Dr. Andaya or Claudio.**

Who needs a place to crash after rehearsals?

2009-05-03T09:47:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! With our 2 back-to-back rehearsals fast approaching, now is the time to let me know 1) if you need overnight accommodations, and 2) if you live in Athens and can host a fellow Tour member.

The dates are as follows:

The night of Sunday, May 10 -- We have rehearsal 2:00-5:00 pm
The night of Friday, May 22 -- We have 2 All-Day rehearsals the 22n and 23rd --Check your emails!!

Right now I've only heard from Katie that she can host!

Thanks everyone!

Last Supper/Santa Maria delle Grazie

2009-04-28T20:54:00.001-07:00

Our first stop on Tour will be visiting the Last Supper fresco with Professor Masciadri and company at the beautiful Santa Maria della Grazie church

UGA 2009 Performance Tour Repertoire

2009-04-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

It is an impressive list of repertoire that the UGA Chamber Choir will be presenting on its 2009 Performance Tour to Italy. Ember: As cliche' as this may sound, just looking at this list gives me goosebumps! Each piece has a back story that isn't necessarily known by all, but just imagine how incredible it will be for UGA to sing "Nuper Rosarum Flores" in the Florence Duomo, as this piece was composed for the consecration of the duomo!

Incantato Tours & Concerts presenta

Musica Oltre i Confini Songs Beyond Borders
Choral concert with selected works from around the world (Italy, Europe, North and South America, Australia & Africa) and from different eras that still speak to us today.

Program to be selected from:

Nuper rosarum flores - Guillaume Dufay (c. 1397-1474)

Missa Virgo Parens Christi - Jacobus Barbireau

Kyrie (d. 1492)

Gloria

Agnus Dei

Tu es Petrus - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525-1594)

Cantate Domino - Monteverdi

Miserere mei, Deus - Gregorio Allegri (c.1582-1652)

Madrigali: Six “Fire Songs” on Italian Renaissance Poems - Morten Lauridsen

Ov’é lass’il bel viso (b. 1943)

Quando son più lontan

Amor io sento l’alma

Io piango che’l dolore

Luci serene e chiare

Se per havervi, oimé

The Gallant Weaver - James MacMillan (b. 1959)

Jing-a-lye-a - Bruce Sled (b. 1975)

‘In remembrance’ from Requiem - Eleanor Daley (b. 1955)

Past Life Melodies - Sarah Hopkins (b. 1958)

No Musalaba Godenda - Maragoli Spiritual/arr. Arthur Kemoli

La Muerte del Angel - Astor Piazzolla/arr. Néstor Zadoff

Icarus - Ralph Towner/arr. Gary Rosen

When I Fall in Love - Victor Young/arr. Phil Azelton

Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord - Traditional Spiritual/arr. Undine Moore

Ain’a that good news! - William Dawson

Publicity Photo Shoot!

2009-04-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

The UGA Chamber Choir met Tuesday for a quick photo shoot with Dr. Andaya!

What a great looking group :)

When in Tuscany, do like the Tuscans...

2009-04-21T05:36:00.000-07:00

... and eat at a traditional agriturismo like the Fattoria Il Poggio - the UGA Chamber Choir and their friends will dine here on Monday, June 1 after a fun-filled day themed "Under the Tuscan Sun" featuring stops in Siena and San Gimignano.

Saying Arrivederci Italy in style

2009-04-21T05:26:00.001-07:00

Have a look of the Casanova Ristorante, the place of the UGA Chamber Choir tours farewell dinner.
Let us know what you think.

About the UGA Chamber Choir

2009-04-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

The University of Georgia Chamber Choir is a select touring ensemble of members from all UGA choirs including the Concert Choir, University Chorus,Women's Glee Club, Men's Glee Club, the African-American Choral Ensemble,Classic City Jazz, and Collegium Musicum. The ensemble performs literature of all style periods – from early, classical, and contemporary music to spirituals and jazz.

The Chamber Choir is formed biennially and has toured internationally since 2005, when the group went to England and Scotland. There, they were featured at the Dornoch Choral Festival and worked with distinguished conductor Simon Carrington. The choir also performed in Christ Church and Keble Colleges in Oxford, in York Minster, at Paisley Abbey in Glasgow, and in Stirling.

In 2007, the Chamber Choir toured Germany and Austria. Performances included the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin, the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, the Salzburger Dom in Salzburg, Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, as well as churches in Mödling and Munich.

The current Chamber Choir consists of 24 voices including music and non-music majors from various courses of study at the University. The singers look forward to touring Italy in 2009, where they will be featured at the Festival Ultrapadum in Pavia and perform in Alessandria, the Basilica of St. Mark in Venice, the Duomo in Florence, as well as the Basilica of St. Peter and the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Excitement stirring in the hearts of the UGA Choir members

2009-04-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

It's completely understandable to be excited about singing overseas, especially if it's for the first time. I, Ember at Incantato Tours, a former student in the University of Arkansas, Schola Cantorum was overwhelmed the first time I sang with my choir in Italy. The venue, the acoustics, the music, and the local audience overwhelmed me. I think I cried the entire first concert! Here are a few things that your fellow mates had to say about getting ready to go to Italy:

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to sing in some of Italy's beautiful churches, and I'm sure this will make my first trip to Europe even more memorable.” –Christina Esposito

"This will be my first time in Europe and I feel honored to be singing in some of the most beautiful places in the world.” –Morgan Roberts

"I'm so grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" –Stephanie Post

"This trip truly is a chance of a lifetime! I cannot wait to not only get to visit, but get to sing in some of the most magnificent venues in the world! I know this trip will be life-changing and I cannot wait to experience Italy's amazing culture to the fullest!" –Katie Sorrels

"This summer will be my first time to Europe, and I can't wait to sing in some of the beautiful, timeless churches.” –David Okun

About the Private Vatican Visit & Recital in the Sistine Chapel

2009-04-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Vatican Museums are indisputably one of the finest collections of art in the world. Over the centuries, Papal patrons have commissioned renowned works such as the magnificent frescoes of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, and those by Raphael in his stanze. The museums also host some of the most important sculptures from the ancient world, such as the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere. Incantato Tours is thrilled to offer the UGA Chamber Choir and friends the opportunity to see these works as they were originally viewed and contemplated by the Popes who created the Museums. A private after-hours visit during your 2009 Incantato Performance Tour to Italy is truly a once in a lifetime experience, a chance to have this astounding collection to yourself and fellow tour members for two hours.

Incantato's private visit to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel will be led by a specialized docent/expert guide and is just open to members of your tour. We also provide headsets to everyone for a truly individual experience. This is an exceptional opportunity for an intimate visit and lecture on the Vatican and its impressive art collection without the press and chaos of the crowds. Last but not least, the choir has been granted permission to give a recital in the Sistine Chapel which is a an unforgettable experience - both for the singers and the audience.

Please note that not all galleries will be accessible to us during this after hours visit. The Pinacoteca and Egyptian collections are not available for viewing after closing hours. The opportunity to view the Belvedere Courtyard is also dependent on the route the Vatican guards allow us to take. We normally spend a significant amount of time (35-40 minutes) inside the Sistine Chapel and divide the rest of our time between the Gallery of Maps, Tapestry Gallery, and Raphael Rooms, including other collections as time and security permits.

UGA Chamber Choir Tour Hotel Updates

2009-04-14T05:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Travelers,
please find below an updated hotel listing for the UGA Chamber Choir Tour to Bella Italia. Dr. Andaya confirmed that you prefer staying in Rome rather than in the Castelli Region and we are glad we could make that work for you.
As the group is now over 30 guests, we also managed to negotiate a better deal at an even nicer hotel that I had the pleasure of inspecting myself on the last trip to Pavia and hope you agree.
We will be posting an updated itinerary next week to reflect the changes we were asked to make on your group's behalf and to accommodate the concert in Alessandria on May 29 now.

SALICE TERME
Hotel Clementi

VENICE
Hotel Albatros

MONTECATINI TERME
Hotel Francia & Quirinale

ROME
Hotel Portamaggiore

Beautiful Cathedrals and Places in Bella Italia!

2009-03-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Buon giorno a tutti!! Hi, I'm Ember a new member of the Incantato Team and I have traveled extensively throughout Italy and am very excited to share some interesting facts and places to see with you.

I found a link on youtube so you can see some footage of the Abbey of Pavia. There is some lovely music in the background as well. The church of the Abbey of Pavia was begun in Italian Gothic style in 1396 under the Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The rest of the Abbey is dominated by the Rennaissance style. A large portion of it was destroyed in WWII but was restored shortly thereafter.

As part of your city tour, you will be visiting La Scala and the museum, click here for information.

Italy has so many wonderful places to see. Each town has a lot of history and culture to offer. It's best when you have an idea of what you want to visit. Here is the official link for San Gimignano, so you can have idea of where you want to go during your free time.

I've never been to Montecatini Terme which is known as a spa town. Here is a link to check that out. It looks REALLY cool!

There is so much information out there about all the places you will be visiting. There is more to come on this blog soon! A presto!!

It was great meeting you all

2009-02-12T10:50:00.001-08:00

Dear Singers of the UGA Chamber Choir, dear friends and family of the traveling group.
It was a great pleasure meeting you all and having a chance to present the tour as well as answer any immediate questions you had.
Please continue to stay in touch and make good use of this blog as a tool to exchange ideas and information.
We look forward to hearing from you and will add more information soon.
Arriverderci Sandra from Incantato Tours

Your flight itinerary

2009-02-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hello All! Below is your confirmed flight itinerary!

UGA to Europe:

Lufthansa (LH 445) is departing Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00pm from Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) and arriving in Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) 8:55am. Change planes: 12:25pm (LH 3886) departs from Frankfurt and arrives in Milan (MXP)on Wednesday, May 27 at 1:35pm.

UGA to USA:

Lufthansa (LH 3853) is departing Friday, June 5 at 6:45 am from Rome, Italy (FCO) and arriving in Frankfurt (FRA) at 8:45am. Change planes: 12:10pm (LH444) departs from Frankfurt and arrives in Atlanta (ATL) on Friday, June 5 at 4:10pm.

Incantato Tours recommends that travelers arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to departure.

St. Mark's Basilica

2009-02-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

Basilica di San Marco - St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica majestically symbolizes the lagoon and enshrines the history of Venice. It was originally built in 828 to house the Evangelist Mark, whose body Venetian merchants stole from his tomb in Alexandria, Egypt, because Muslims were going to desecrate the church where it was laid to rest. The basilica had to be reconstructed after a fire in 976. Doge Domenico Contarini decided to rebuild the church on the same Greek cross plan as the previous one. In 1096, it was consecrated, but the decorative work continued until the beginning of the 19th century.
The present church is modeled on the 6th century Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople with an equal-sided cross, surmounted by five symmetrically placed monumental domes. The light is thus directed towards the centre of the basilica, leaving the side aisles in comparative shadow. The west wing was later enlarged by adding a surrounding narthex. The marble columns and slabs, the mosaics and carvings, the paintings and statuary, the gold and jeweled icons and the countless other treasures in the building reflect many centuries of Venetian dominance over the eastern Mediterranean. The basilica is situated front and center of the magnificent Piazza San Marco, the highlight for every tourist visiting Venice.

Opening Hours: Daily 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Address: Piazza San Marco, Venice -- Phone: (+39) 0415224064

The UGA Italy Tour Performance Venues

2009-02-10T03:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday, May 30
Ultrapadum Festival Concert - we recommend the Teatro di Stradella, but you may prefer signing in one of the many fabulous churches

Sunday, May 31
St. Mark's Basilica, Venice - featured guest choir for High Mass at 6:45 pm.

Monday, June 1
Duomo, Florence - - featured guest choir for High Mass (pending final confirmation) at 6 pm.
Santa Maria dei Ricci, Florence - Concert (possibly as exchange performance with local choir) at 8:30 pm.

Thursday, June 4
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome - featured guest choir for High Mass at 5 pm

Your hotels

2009-02-10T03:02:00.000-08:00

Below is a listing with links to your confirmed tour hotels. They are a mix of 3 and 4 star properties in mostly central locations.
Please note that the accommodations for Rome are yet to be selected based on your choice of city or countryside location.
Alessandria: Home-stays - for guests/family we can offer rooms at: Hotel Europa
Salice Terme: Hotel Saulus
Venice-Mestre: Hotel Albatros
Montecatini Terme: Hotel Francia & Quirinale
Rome or Rome region: TBD

Under the Tuscan Sun

2009-01-06T08:02:00.000-08:00

The 33 members of the 2009 UGA Chamber Choir Italy Performance Tour are heading to Tuscany today. First stop after leaving La Serenissima will be the spa town of Montecatini Terme (very much beloved by composer Verdi), followed by an in-depth visit of nearby Lucca. A special Tuscan dinner awaits the group in nearby Montecarlo.

Passport Procedure

2008-10-29T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's easy to get a passport and you need it for traveling with UGA choir to Europe in the spring of 2009. Here are a couple websites you can visit to get information to apply for your passport such as the US State Department . You may also go to your local post office and fill out an application there. Remember to send Incantato a copy of you passport.

Good Luck!!! This is the beginning of a wonderful journey you will experience this year!

About Incantato Tours

2008-10-10T04:35:00.000-07:00

Incantato is a boutique performance tour operator. Every tour is custom designed to match the choir’s expectations – especially when it comes to the performances and musical experiences. We know that for many singers this tour to Europe may be a once in a life time opportunity and we do everything we can to make sure it is unforgettable. Essential artistic experiences are our trademark and we are known for our in-depth knowledge of Europe, professional concert management and marketing, highly skilled team members, attention to detail and flexibility. We take the time to get to know our clients so that our dedicated team members in the US as well as in Europe can make sure that every participant gets the most out of the journey. In addition, we create a tour blog that allows those remaining in the US to follow the choir virtually.

Please find below a few endorsements we are proud to share with you today. I encourage you to speak with your colleagues and their students who have experienced what sets Incantato apart.

"As a director I loved the personal touch Incantato was able to provide and the attention they gave to even the smallest details. Incantato worked with us to suit our tour of Central Europe to our ensemble’s needs and objectives. The result was a brilliant tour that featured amazing performance venues, excellent guides, and unique cultural experiences that the students and I will remember for a lifetime."

Dr. Graeme Langager - Director of Choral Activities, University of Arkansas

"Canticum Novum, The tour choir of Central Church in Phoenix just completed its most successful tour in 35 years of contertizing abroad, solely due to the excellent management of Incantato. Their attention to every detail, response to every request, superb International Staff, and excellence in concert management are singularly distinctive. Theirs is a professional concert management group who are also excellent providers of travel services. That is a distinctive difference. Travel agents are for travel; Incantato provides concert management in stunning venues, and the organizational minutia supporting these artistic events in addition to fine tuned travel experiences filled with special amenities. If music making in superb acoustical spaces to wonderfully receptive audiences is your priority, Incantato is the professional tour group for your ensemble."
Donald E. Morse, Music Director

“Having recently returned from a successful tour of Ireland, I can say without a doubt that this was my finest tour experience. I have used several different tours companies in my years of performance tours, and none have matched the attention to detail, the thoughtful planning, excellent venues & marketing, meal & hotels, and overall management by Incantato. Their pricing was excellent, and when the US currency dropped, they did not raise any of our cost. I would recommend this company to anyone planning a tour, whether they are a large professional ensemble, or a small church choir.”
Nathan J. Kreitzer, Director of Choral Activities, Santa Barbara City College

"Our tour was so much more than a music festival. It was a complete cultural enrichment including great performance venues, hotels, restaurants, local tour guides, as well as connections with other choirs and instrumentalists. An added bonus for us was an introduction to an Italian composer who presently will be joining us in NC for 3 concerts featuring some of his choral music. So the cultural exchange continues. Bravo, Incantato!"
Dr. Sue Klausmeyer, Chapel Hill Community Chorus, Chapel Hill, SC

“When we travel to Europe again, it will be with Incantato. I have been more than impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. We sang in great and unforgettable venues, had excellent marketing and audiences. I highly recommend Incantato.“
Howard Cheung, San Marino Chamber Choir, CA

Please note that Incantato is a women-owned and operated business. We are a registered seller of travel and comply with state regulation. In accordance, all client funds are placed in secured trust accounts and your group earns the interest on the deposits. We only work with fully licensed, insured and bonded partners. In addition, Incantato covers your tour with a $3 million dollar tour operator insurance policy.

We encourage every participant to obtain travel insurance and have negotiated special low rates for coverage starting at $20 for a comprehensive post-departure policy.

Your tour price includes a convenient confirmed schedule and ticket cost of $1035 quoted to us by Lufthansa. This is the actual group ticket price as Incantato has a 100% transparency policy when it comes to airfare. Lufthansa estimates Taxes/Fuel/Fees at $400, but is hoping for a lower final surcharge.

For a detailed itinerary and pricing, please see your tour brochure.

Final remarks about pricing

As you know, some cost elements of a tour remain the same (coach fee, tour manager & driver salaries, fuel, permits etc) , but when shared among a certain number of participants, a lower overall pricing per person can be achieved. It is our experience that especially with college groups, the original interest is usually smaller than the ideal size for the better or best rates. Yet, and we see it every year, once the singers start talking about their upcoming trip, family and friends start to join and sometimes even members of the community. This is especially true when the tour is as unique as the journey we propose for your group.

Please write down other questions you may have when reviewing your tour itinerary as we are glad to answer them. We are also open to adjust the tour further to meet your expectations and work within your budget.

We thank you for the opportunity to propose a performance tour to Italy for the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

With warm regards,
Sandra Weinacht – CEO Incantato Tours