UGA Performance Tour Itinerary - Updated

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!

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?

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

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

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!

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...

... 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

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

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

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

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

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