Fête de la Musique - There is music in the air

The Fête de la Musique – the European and worldwide Music Day – is an annual festival held on 21 June, the start of summer. It transforms cities around the globe into theatres of enchantment and magical sounds.
It sounds simple. All the events are free and open to the public. All musicians waive their fee and all the concerts take place in unusual venues – mostly outdoors. Everyone is welcome at the Fête de la Musique or Festa della Musica how the Italians say.
That this formula would grow into a worldwide movement that reaches out to millions of people every year must have been beyond the wildest dreams of former French Culture Minister Jack Lang, who organised the first Fête de la Musique in Paris in 1982.
The seed was sown and now the event unites people in over 340 towns and cities worldwide, 60 of them in Europe.
There's nothing that can not be heard. Bands, orchestras, choirs, soloists and DJs perform music of every genre. One other thing remains the same - the Fête de la Musique is a non-profit, non-commercial event. Like everything at the Fête de la Musique, it is about friendship, joy, respect and in short, humanity in music.

One of our upcoming touring choirs to Italy this year, the Phoenix Girls Chorus Cantabile, is going to participate in this wonderful celebration in Rieti, Italy.
Festa della Musica in Rieti celebrates its 14th anniversary this year. Concerts will be held in following locations:
Auditorium dei Poveri, Auditorium Varrone, Piazza S. Rufo, LungoVelino, Piazza Cavour, Via Paolessi, Largo S. Giorgio, Via Terenzio Varrone and Piazza Beata Colomba.

Concerts on Friday, June 20, 2014 all free of admission:
  9:00 pm  - M* Eleonora Podaliri Vulpiani and students of the Conservatory concert at Auditorium Varro
10:00 pm - Joy Stick concert at Long Velino Café
10:30 pm - Duo Voce and piano Maria Rosaria De Rossi and Paolo Panicon concert at Be'er Sheva, via delle Stelle


Concerts on Saturday, June 21, 2014 all free of admission:
  7:00 pm - Phoenix Girls Chorus Cantabile concert at Largo San Giorgio Rigodon Café
  7:30 pm - Insidious Trap concert at Via Paolessi at Café Luwak
  9:00 pm - Mononoke concert at Auditorium dei Poveri
  9:15 pm - THE KEY 9 concert at S. Rufo Square
10:15 pm - RITMIX concert at S. Rufo Square (free admission)
10:15 pm - Alessio Guadagnoli concert at piazza Cavour at the Grand Café La Lira
10:45 pm - Casale 136-Negramaro Tributo concert at Club Café Bonobo
11:15 pm - Depero DJ Set at via Terenzio Varrone


Concerts on Sunday, Jun 22, 2014 all free of admission:
  9:00 pm - Parole e Musica with Musì Duo-Sandro Sacco (flute) & Paolo Paniconi (piano) concert at Auditorium Varrone
10:00 pm - Postal Docs concert at Cafe LungoVelino

SJC from Newfoundland kicks of performance tour to Ireland with a concert in Donaghadee

ISLAND TO ISLAND 
A musical celebration of friendship between Northern Ireland and Newfoundland
Concert Time: Saturday 7th July at 7.30 pm at the first Presbyterian Church of Donghadee

 “Island to Island” is the musical theme as well as the motto for the 2012 Performance Tour of the St. John’s Choir from St. John’s (SJC), Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. SJC is a true adult community choir whose members represent a broad section of St. John’s and its surrounding communities. Thesingers range in age from early twenties to seniors and are from all walks of life. Founded over 25 years ago, the St. John’s Choir is now being lead by Ms. Maria Conkey. SJC sings in four part harmony and has a large and varied repertoire of songs ranging from Broadway show tunes to Classical pieces, gospel to Newfoundland folk songs; spirituals to popular music.


The love of singing and a desire to bring music to the community at home and now to audiences across Ireland are the threads that hold the choir together.


Here is some more info on beautiful Donaghadee:

What better place for the 32 singers from St. John's Newfoundland under the direction of Ms. Maria Conkey than to present the first concert of their 2012 Performance Tour at a fellow coastal town. First Donaghadee Presbyterian Church, located in beautiful Donaghadee which is about 30 minutes outside of Belfast on Northern Ireland's stunning coast is the locality. Donaghadee is a growing town on the north coast of County Down, six miles from the historic town of Bangor and approximately 20 miles east of Belfast.

With a population of about 8,000 inhabitants, Donaghadee is the closest point to Scotland, so close in fact, that the Scottish coast is visible to the naked eye on clear days. The town offers a rich history, having been one of the main ports of entry to the island of Ireland until the 19^th Century. Aside from the historical buildings reflecting its rich heritage, the town has a picturesque seafront, a wide range of cafes and restaurants.

The St. John's Choir 2012 Emerald Isle Performance Tour Card

University of South Carolina Concert Choir in the news

Musica, al Flavio Vespasiano l'University of Southern Carolina
Il coro della University of Southern Carolina
	Previsto il gemellaggio tra la prestigiosa Università ed il Liceo Classico Marco Terenzio Varrone di Rieti
dalla Redazione lunedì 7 marzo 2011
Insieme alla Basilica di San Pietro ed alla Chiesa di San Lorenzo di Firenze, sarà Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano di Rieti una delle tappe del tour italiano del Concert Choir della University of Southern Carolina. Il concerto, previsto per le ore 21 di mercoledì 9 marzo (ingresso libero), si inserisce in una serie di iniziative che vedrà la collaborazione tra il Comune di Rieti Assessorato alla Cultura ed il Tour Operator americano Incantato Tours.  A fare da trait d’union è stata Wealbiz, l’agenzia di marketing turistico di Diego Di Paolo. Il Concert Choir è il complesso corale più selezionato della prestigiosa Università della Carolina del Sud, istituzione che vanta una delle più grandi e rispettate scuole di musica in tutti gli Stati Uniti. Il coro ha ricevuto altissimi riconoscimenti anche a livello internazionale sotto la direzione dello scomparso Arpad Darazs, ed ora continua, sotto la guida del Maestro Larry Wyatt la sua tradizione di qualità. Il coro verrà accompagnato dal Maestro William Bates.  Il programma della serata inizia con la cinquecentesca Ave Maria di Tomas De Victoria e termina con il gospel “My God is so high” in un arrangiamento contemporaneo di Moses Hogan. Nel 1987 su invito speciale, il Concert Choir si è esibito per Papa Giovanni Paolo II durante la visita statunitense del Santo Padre e nel 1988 è stato invitato ad effettuare concerti con l’Orchestra Sinfonica di Gerusalemme sotto la direzione di Lawrence Foster, Sergio Comissiona e Krystof Penderecki. Nel 1992 il Coro è stato scelto per partecipare al concerto celebrativo per il bicentenario di Mozart presso il Lincoln Center di New York. L’evento che tende a portare Rieti all’interno dell’importante circuito dei tour europei e delle principali università e licei americani, è di assoluta eccellenza Il concerto sarà solo uno dei momenti della giornata reatina dei giovani artisti statunitensi.  Nel quadro della stessa iniziativa è prevista infatti anche una sosta a Labro con visita e scambio culturale e di esperienze artistiche con il gruppo di artisti internazionali dell’ Art Monastery Project, ospitati all’interno dell’Hotel Colle di Costa con il patrocino del Comune di Labro. Il pomeriggio vedrà poi lo svolgimento di tre Master Class ( Sax, viola e corno francese) tenute dai professori Constance Gee, Clifford Leaman e Robert Pruzin, docenti di musica della prestigiosa Università americana. Le lezioni si terranno presso il Parco della Musica della Provincia di Rieti e saranno frequentate dagli studenti del Conservatorio reatino.  In Teatro, prima dell’inizio del Concerto, verrà formalizzato un gemellaggio tra la prestigiosa Università ed il Liceo Classico Marco Terenzio Varrone di Rieti con uno formalizzazione tra il Maestro Larry Wiatt ed il Preside del Liceo reatino il professor Umberto Eleuteri.

Bellarmine University Jazz Ensemble will perform at Sala Bianca, Hotel Cellai (Florence) on Wednesday, March 9 at 7:00 PM

On Wednesday, March 9 the Jazz Ensemble of Bellarmine University will perform at the Sala Bianca, Hotel Cellai in Florence at 7:00 PM. Hotel Cellai is located in the heart of the historic center of Florence in an characteristic and quiet area. Its style recalls the one of the ancient inns of past times where young, European aristocrats stayed while discovering the beauty and artistic mysteries offered in Italy. Flooring in stone or terracotta, stone arches, antique furniture and artistic furnishing accessories make the hotel an unique place. The public areas host monthly exhibitions of Contemporary Arts under the ArteInCasa Visual Arts program.

Bellarmine University's Schola Cantorum & Louisville Vocal Project to sing High Mass at Saint Francis Basilica, Assisi on Friday, March 11 at 11 AM

Schola Cantorum and the Louisville Vocal Project will participate in High Mass in the Chapel of Saint Catherine within Saint Francis Basilica on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11 AM. The Papal Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, better known as the St. Francis Basilica, is the mother church of the Roman Order of Friars Minor, or the Franciscan Order. Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, a Catholic deacon, preacher, and founder of the Franciscan Order. The Catholic Church also recognizes St. Francis as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and one of the two patron saints of Italy along with St. Catherine of Siena. Serving as the final resting place of St. Francis, the Basilica remains one of Italy’s most important destinations of Christian pilgrimage. Founded in 1228, St. Francis Basilica is built into a hillside and comprises two separate churches known as the upper and lower basilicas and the crypt of the interred saint. The interior of the upper church exemplifies early Gothic architecture, and both churches flaunt intricate frescoes by late medieval painters from the Roman and Tuscan schools. Along with the accompanying friary, the basilica is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and valuable landmark in the Assisi community.

Bellarmine University Jazz Ensemble in concert at Sala degli Affreschi, Comune di Maiori, on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30PM

Incantato Tours proudly presents the Bellarmine University Jazz Ensemble at the beautiful Sala degli Affreschi, Comune di Maiori, on Saturday, March 5 at 7:30PM. The Sala degli Affreschi is part of the Mezzacapo Building. As the visitor enters the massive carved wooden door, the magnificence of the ancient entrance to the home of the former Marquis of Mezzacapo is immediately apparent.

Two marble stairways lead to the upper floors of the building, which, today, is the seat of the City Hall. The sumptuous Reception Hall stands out among the various rooms of the building. The grand vaulted ceiling, frescoed with a depiction of "the triumph of the Olympians", and the walls adorned by mirrors and gilded figurines, give this hall a pompous ambiance, but also enchanting. In 1943, during the Allied landing, this building was the General Headquarters of the American troops stationed in the area.

Incantato proudly presents the St. Bonaventure's College Wind Ensemble & Chamber Choir at Montecassino Abbey on Saturday, April 16 at 11:00 AM

The St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir, of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, will present a recital at Montecassino Abbey at 11:00AM on Saturday, April 16, 2011.

Monte Cassino is a rocky mountain approximately 80 miles southeast of Rome. Saint Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery here, the source and foundation of the Benedictine Order, in 529. The monastery stands as one of the few territorial abbeys remaining within the Catholic Church. According the Gregory the Great’s biography of Saint Benedict, the monastery was constructed on an older pagan sight, a temple of Apollo that originally crowned the hill. The biography claims that Benedict’s first act was to smash the sculpture of Apollo and destroy the pagan altar. He then reused the temple, dedicating it to Saint Martin, and built a new chapel which he dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Once established at Monte Cassino, Benedict never left. There he penned the Benedictine Rule which ultimately became the founding principle of western monasticism. Monte Cassino became the model for future Benedictine developments throughout the world. Unfortunately the Abbey has fallen target to numerous military insurgencies throughout the years, including the infamous 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino. On February 15, 1944, the Abbey was almost completely destroyed by Allied air-raids after being mistakenly identified as a German stronghold. In fact, the Abbey was being used as a refuge for women and children attempting to shield themselves from the war. The Abbey was rebuilt after the war, financed by the Italian State, and was reconsecrated by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

Incantato Performance Venue: Church of Saint Michael, Budapest

The Church of St. Michael in Budapest was built in the 18th century on the spot of a medieval dominican church destroyed during Turkish wars. A temporary chapel stood here between 1700 and 1716, and the present church was completed in 1765. The figure of the Virgin Mary adorning its frontal facade is thought to have been created by Donner. Statues of Saint Dominic and Saint Thomas Aquinas carved by Joseph Hebenstreit also decorate this facade. The church had a vivid history in the XIXth century: although destroyed by fire and floods, it managed to survive and and has since been restored. The latest restoration started in 1999. The single-naved church was decorated with ceiling frescoes and side paintings in the middle of the 18th century. The main altar, inlaid benches, and furniture of the sacristy date back to 1760, all works of Dominican monks. The main altar shows St. Dominic with the Virgin Mary handing a rosary to him.
In addition to its stunning interior, St. Michael’s also provides excellent acoustics that enhance the rich sounds of a lone soloist or a full orchestra. The first organ of the church was built in 1801 by organ builder Joseph Herodek and was entirely rebuilt by the Rieger company in 1893. It was again renovated in 1951. The newest Phoenix organ has 44 register (see info below). For more information on the church and a virtual visit, click here.

Haydn Organ at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

On Wednesday, April 6, the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir of Louisville will have a highlight performance at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. For this performance the group will sing to the music played by the Haydn organ. For more information about the other organs of the cathedral, please see the blog post below.

The Haydn organ was installed back in 2009 and provides a special highlight for the Joseph Haydn Year 2009 at St. Stephen’s. Joseph Haydn and his brothers received a comprehensive education at the Cathedral and gathered almost 10 years’ musical experience while serving as members of the Cathedral Choir. The new instrument has been named the Haydn Organ in honour of their contribution. The instrument was blessed by Archbishop Cardinal Christoph Schönborn on Saturday, 24 October 2009. The inauguration ceremony marked the official opening of the 2009 St. Stephen’s Organ Festival, which was held under the patronage of Cardinal Schönborn and Vienna Mayor Michael Häupl.

The organs of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna

St. Stephen's Cathedral ("Stephansdom") is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. It has an old organ tradition.
The first mention of an organ at St. Stephen's dates back to 1334. In 1513 the organ was relocated with the addition of a magnificent organ case created by master craftsman Anton Pilgram.
In 1507 master craftsman Burchhard Tischlinger from Bolzano created the organ on the Füchsel baldachin next to the sacristy, the Cathedral's best-known organ.
As the influence of the Baroque took hold at the Cathedral, a ten-register choir organ by Imperial organ builder Ferdinand Römer was installed above the old choir stalls in 1701, followed by the large 32-register Römer organ in the western loft in 1720.
In 1797 the two oldest organs were removed to be replaced with a large, 41-register organ which was installed in the western loft.
In 1886 Friedrich Walcker created his famous 90-register Giant Organ (named after the Giants' Gate entrance below the western loft) behind the frontage of the Römer organ. The instrument was lost in the fire at the Cathedral in 1945. Its little sister, the valuable Walcker organ, can still be heard at Vienna's Votivkirche.
After the fire in 1945 Vienna organ builder Johann Michael Kauffmann created an electric choir organ from 1948-1952. He also created another organ on the western loft with funds raised from donations. This large organ comprised 4 manuals, 125 registers and around 10,000 pipes. At the time of construction the organ was one of the last to be built with electronic con-valve chests. The organ facade is one of the most remarkable examples of an exposed pipe façade in the world. The instrument was decommissioned once the new Cathedral organ was completed.
The liturgical constitution of the Second Vatican Council deemed sacred music a "necessary and integrated element" of mass, according it a new status. This also had implications for St. Stephen's Cathedral. In 1991 a new Cathedral organ was installed in the south (right-hand) aisle close to the crossing. The new instrument created by Vorarlberg organ builder Rieger has 55 registers and four manuals. This modern universal organ consists of a Baroque positive with swell function, and a romantic Schwellwerk and Hauptwerk. The mixture comprises the Solowerk with Trompete, Clairon and Cornett.

CSUSB & MMC are the featured guest choirs for High Mass at Iglesia Colegial Divino Salvador in Sevilla on June 27 at 8 pm

The Iglesia Colegial Divino Salvador in Sevilla is the concert venue for CSUSB San Bernardino Chamber Singers and Mountainside Master Chorale on Sunday, June 27, at 8 pm. The Roman Catholic church is known as the Church of the Savior and located at the Plaza del Salvador. It's the largest church in the city, not counting the cathedral. It is a 17th century church in Baroque style. It has a rectangular plan with 3 naves. Its vaults are of the barrel and cross types. Inside, the dome, the main reredos and the sacramental chapel are outstanding. It also has the carvings of 'Jesús de la Pasión', the work of Martínez Montañés, and 'El Cristo del Amor' by Juan de Mena. Prior to the church there was a Roman temple, a Palaeochristian, Visigothic and Mozarab basilica, and, in the 11th century, the great mosque of Seville on this site. You can still see the Courtyard of the Ablutions and the Minaret (now a bell tower) of the great mosque. Click here to get to the website (in Spanish).

Posted by Incantato Tours and Concerts at 7:53 AM 0 comments

The Washington Women's Chorus presents first formal concert at The Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey on June 22 at noon

On June 22nd, the Washington Women's Chorus, under the direction of Don Richardson, will kick off their 2010 Ireland Performance Tour with a lunch time concert presented at noon at the Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey, the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys.

Kylemore Abbey is a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. The abbey was founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. Originally called Kylemore Castle, it was built between 1863 and 1868 as a private home for the family of Mitchell Henry, a wealthy politician from Manchester, England who was also MP for Galway County from 1871 to 1885. Architects were James Franklin Fuller and Ussher Roberts. After the death of his wife Margaret in 1875, Mitchell did not spend much time there. He and his wife are both buried in the small mausoleum near the church in the grounds of the abbey.
A notable feature of the abbey is the neo-Gothic church, a miniature replica of Norwich Cathedral, made from local green Connemara marble. It was built between 1877 and 1881 and has a beautiful stained glass tracery window depicts the five graces; Fortitude, Faith, Charity, Hope and Chastity, and it is a center of reflection and prayer for many visitors.

Occidental College Glee Club Concert Announced on the Web

The Ireland Performance Tour of the Occidental College Glee Club is just around the corner. Their performance on May 25 at the beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral (1 pm) is now listed on the official Dublin Tourism website. Check out the concert announcement on the web!

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

The UGA Chamber Choir will be performing in both major cathedrals and off-the-beaten path gems. Here is an overview of the performance venues for the 2009 Incantato 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

The UGA Italy Tour Poster

"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.

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.