Haydn's Theresienmesse at Stephansdom, Vienna

We proudly present a special 2009 festival event: Haydn's Theresienmesse at Stephansdom in Vienna under the director of Gerald Wirth - conductor of the Wiener Sängerknaben (Vienna Boy's Choir). Preceeded by clinics, workshops and special receptions, the festival choir will perform the masterwork with the renowned Domorchester on July 10, 2009. The venue seats over 2000 people and since ticket sales benefit the restoration of this amazing cathedral a full house is expected.
Excellent college, high school, community and church choirs may still apply, but space is limited. Interested conductors are invited to contact Incantato Tours & Concert Management via email. You may also call 718-404-9235 for additional information.

In 2009, Austria celebrates and commemorates composer Joseph Haydn who passed 200 years ago. A true highlight of the celebrations will be the choir festival and concert event at Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral). The magnificent cathedral has influenced Haydn and his work in many ways. In 1739, then 8-year-old Joseph joined the boy choir which he had to leave when his voice broke at age 17. The composer’s relationship with Austria’s most important cathedral intensified in the years to come. In 1760, Haydn even got married in Stephansdom.

The two-day festival includes various workshops with the festival conductor and a dress rehearsal in the cathedral with the Domorchester and well-known soloists prior to the performance benefitting the restoration of Stephansdom. There will be plenty of opportunity for cultural immersion through in-depth visits of Vienna and cultural exchanges with local musicians. Another highlight will be the welcome reception when all festival participants meet under the rooftop of St. Stephen’s Cathedral – a very special place usually closed to the public. The festival concludes with yet another musicians get together after the concert.

Individual performances for participating choirs can be arranged as part of your organization's individual performance tour. Pre- and post-festival European concert tour itineraries will be custom designed for your ensemble. You may choose from a myriad of destinations and performance opportunities in Italy, Austria, Germany, Croatia, Malta, Spain…

Impressions from an amazing Concert Season

"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, Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix, AZ


"Of the eight international tours I've taken as both singer and conductor, last summer's CSULB tour to Naples, Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast with Incantato was the best organized and the most fun. Our tour manger and guides were professional, wonderful teachers, and our venues were beautiful. We saw stunning posters for our events everywhere we walked. The marketing for our concerts was incredible! Our audiences were huge and exuberant, and Incantato made all the pieces fell into place beautifully. Thank you Incantato Tours for the personal attention, for the flexibility that allowed us to chose exactly where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. We're already planning for 2010."
Dr. Jonathan Talberg - Director of Choral, Vocal, and Opera Studies, Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, California State University, Long Beach

"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 Tours. 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."
Sincerely, Nathan J. Kreitzer - Director of Choral Activities Santa Barbara City College

"My mom and I loved the entire trip. Our favorite place was Killarney and the Ring of Kerry tour, but we enjoyed every place we visited. The whole itinerary was awesome! Mom has been telling everyone she knows that it was a perfect trip! You get an A+ from us! Thanks for everything! We would definitely go on an Incantato tour again! Thanks Sandra and Ted!"

Best regards, Gail and Gloria Reynolds

"At the Carmina Burana performance in Maiori, there was a ton of energy in the air from the chorus and the audience-- it was one of the most exciting performances of my life. To have all the beautiful sound from the chorus behind me, and to get to sing as I looked out over the ocean-- it was just breathtaking.For me, singing in the Sistine Chapel was very surreal. It almost seemed like it wasn't actually happening when we first started singing--and then I looked up and suddenly couldn't help from crying. I felt so unbelievably lucky to have music in my life so that I could be a part of that magic. It was as if the music just belonged there. Thanks, Incantato!"
Ashley Seaton, Soprano Soloist and Student at California State University Long Beach, CA

Carolina International Chorale concludes 2008 Italy Performance Tour with highlight concert in Frascati

The Carolina International Chorale directed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer concludes its 2008 Italy Performance Tour with Incantato on July 2 with a highlight concert in Frascati.
The choir from Chapel Hill, North Carolina will present Ray Roger's "Gospel Mass" with piano, bass and drums along with other gospels and spirituals. The performance starts at 8 pm at the Scuderie Aldobrandini.

CSULB Chamber Choir presents highlight concert at San Gaetano in Florence

The California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir directed by Dr. Jonathan Talberg concertizes on July 2, 2008 at 9 pm at the baroque jewel of San Gaetano in Florence. "Musica Celeste & Spirituale" is the title of the 2008 Italy Tour Program featuring works from European and American composers alike.

The formal concert in one of Florence prime venues and nearby the Duomo concludes the series of performances for this outstanding university choir from California.

Two successfull performances for CIC in Rome

The Carolina International Chorale directed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer sang twice on July 1 in Rome and both performances were a success for the singers and audiences alike. Especially the reception and turn-out for the ensembles formal concert at Sant' Agnese in Agone was outstanding - over one hundred people were waiting anxiously in front of the magnificent church at Piazza Navona for the gate to open. CIC presented its 2008 Italy Tour program titled "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual and Gospel Music" to several hundred people and received lots of applause.
Pictures will be added asap.

CIC presents "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual & Gospel Music" in Sant' Agnese in Agone

The Carolina International Chorale presents its first individual formal concert aspart of the group's 2008 Performance Tour to Italy on July 1, 2008 at 9 pm at the beautiful church of Sant' Agnese in Agone on Piazza Navona in Rome. The concert is titled "The Soulful Sounds of Spiritual & Gospel Music".
At 6 pm, the ensemble from Chapel Hill, North Carolina under the direction of Dr. Sue Klausmeyer is the featured guest choir for High Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

"I can't believe we just sang in the Sistine Chapel"

The singers from both the California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir and the Carolina International Chorale were amazed when they sang in the Sistine Chapel on June 30, 2008 as part of their Incantato Performance Tours to Italy. Both choirs had the opportunity to perform several works in this amazing venue right in front of Michelangelo's Last Judgement as part of their private visit to the Vatican Museums. While no recordings were allowed, the memories of this essential artistic experience in one of the world's most beautiful and exclusive venues will last a lifetime.

Carmina Burana concert at the beautiful Chiostro di San Pietro in Vincoli a true success

“The sexiest Carmina Burana Rome has ever heard”, that was conductor Jonathan Talberg’s promise for the concert event on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 9.00 pm at the Chiostro di San Pietro in Vincoli (Monumental cloister of Saint Peter in Chains) - and he didn't promise too much. The audience of several hundred paying spectators - mainly Italians - were very moved by the performance and rewarded the musicians with minute-long applause. The setting in the historical courtyard which is now part of the Roman University La Sapienza contributed to the success of the concert that concluded the 2008 Incantato Festival.
Under the direction of Dr. Talberg, a highly-skilled US-American director and renowned university professor, almost 100 singers from three choirs performed Carl Orff’s masterwork in the reduced version for soloists, mixed choir, two pianos and percussion: The California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir supported by singers from the University Choir and the Carolina International Chorale from Chapel Hill, North Carolina (under the direction of Sue Klausmeyer).
Carmina Burana is an exciting and moving cantata based on 24 poems from the 13th century that were discovered in a Bavarian monastery. The poems cover a wide selection of secular topics as familiar to us today as they undoubtedly were in the 13th century: the transient nature of wealth, the fickleness of fortune, the joy of the return of Spring, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and sex. The music has a here-and-now quality that captures the attention of modern audiences, it is surging, powerful and sometimes very erotic.
When asked to sum up the work in two phrases, Dr. Talberg said: "Carmina was written by monks who wish they weren't monks or in the words of the 60s, it is all about sex, drugs and rock'n roll".
The concert opened the Roman Summer Musical Festival “E Lucevan le stelle – Musica nel Chiostro” and followed the Incantato Carmina Burana Festival 2008 on the Amalfi Coast where 120 singers performed Carmina Burana with full symphony orchestra on June 27 in the Anfiteatro di Maiori. The event was organized by the New York based Performance Tour Specialists Incantato Tours & Concert Management in cooperation with the Roman Associazione Nova Amadeus and under patronage of the Italian Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali – Dipartimento dello Spettacolo. Artistic Director is Stefano Sovrani who founded the Nova Amadeus Orchestra in 1982 and has since worked with many major artists.
While the percussionists were professional Italian musicians and members of the Nova Amadeus Orchestra, the soloists and pianists come from the United States - like the choristers. The singers executed Carmina beautifully. The three soloists, Tenor Andrew Crane, Baritone Tyler Alessio and Soprano Ashley Seaton excelled. Alessio and Seaton are outstanding voice majors at California State University Long Beach and the two Italian concerts were their international premieres as soloists in a major production. Christopher Luthi and Frank Zachary were the pianists for the Rome concert.

Impressions from the Carmina Burana Festival on the Amalfi Coast

Bravissimo, siete bravissimi!! The Carmina Burana Festival Concert on June 27 at the Anfiteatro del Porto in Maiori attracted wellover 1000 guests and they were amazed by the powerful performance of Carl Orff's masterwork by the choirs from California and North Carolina under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Talberg. 120 singers and the State Symphony Orchestra from the Russian Republic of Udmurtia enchanted the international audience. The Incantato Festival Choir received minute-long applause and standing ovations. The soloists were: Tyler Alessi (Baritone), Ashley Seaton (Tenor) and Dr. Andrew Crane (Tenor). The pianists: Christopher Luthi and Joshua Tuburan. The singers came from the following choirs: The California State University Chamber Choir & University Choir, The Carolina International Chorale and The California State University Chamber Singers.
For impressions from the Festival Concert, please view the slide show below.

This is a video recording of the concert opening:

The 2008 Incantato Festival on the Amalfi Coast was organized by New York based Incantato Tours & Concert Management in cooperation with the Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo di Maiori (Grazie mille, to Dr. Giacobbe Ruocco and his team). The event was under the patronage of the American Consulate in Naples and supported by the Regione di Campania and various local organizations.

New Incantato Concert videos online

Check out www.youtube.com/incantatotours for recordings from the Incantato 2008 Choral Festival in Italy.

Musical Appetizer from the Incantato Festival Choir: O Fortuna

"The sexiest Carmina Burana ever heard" - Enchanting Incantato Festival Concert on the Amalfi Coast in Maiori on Friday, June 27 at 9 pm

Event:
Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in concert
Date:
June 27, Anfiteatro (Marina di Maiori) at 9 pm

"We are singing the sexiest Carmina Burana the Amalfi Coast has ever heard", that's conductor Jonathan Talberg's promise for the upcoming concert event on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 9.00 pm at the Anfiteatro in Maiori (Marina). The entrance is free for the 2008 Incantato Festival opening.
Under the direction of Dr. Talberg, a masterly US-American choir director and renowned university professor, 120 singers from four choirs are performing Carl Orff's masterpiece in full length with soloists, mixed choir, two pianos and symphomic orchestra: The California State University Chamber Choir supported by singers from the CSULB University Choir from Long Beach, The California State University San Bernadino Chamber Singers and The Carolina International Chorale from Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Carmina Burana is an extraordinary and moving cantata based on 24 poems from the 13th century that were discovered in a Bavarian monastery. The poems cover a wide range of secular topics as familiar to us today as they undoubtedly were in the 13th century: the transient nature of wealth, the fickleness of fortune, the joy over the return of Spring, and the pleasures and perils of drinking, gluttony, gambling and sex. The music has a here-and-now quality that captures the attention of modern audiences, it is surging, powerful and sometimes very erotic. "Perfect for a hot summer night on the amazing Amalfi Coast", exclaims Talberg. Performing Carmina in Italy is a dream come true for the conductor and singers alike. The Maiori Anfiteatro is an ideal setting for this essential artistic experience. When visiting the Amalfi Coast for the very first time last summer, the maestro was particularly moved by the hospitality of the locals and great appreciation for fine arts. "When asked if we would consider performing Carmina in Maiori, there could only be one answer: YES", Talberg recalls. The local commitment and support, both morally and financially, substantiallly helped to realize the project titled "Incantato Festival 2008". The highlight performance of Carmina Burana in Maiori is presented by the New York based Performance Tour Specialists Incantato Tours & Concert Management in cooperation with the Azienda di Soggiorno e Turismo di Maiori and under the patronage of the Regione di Campania. The singers' journey will also be documented by a videographer that was especially appointed to come along.
While the symphonic orchestra is comprised of professional musicians from the Republic of Udmurtia which makes Carmina in Maiori a truly international event, the soloists and pianists come from the United States - like the choristers. Tenor Andrew Crane has already made himself a name for his inspired interpretation of the role. Baritone Tyler Alessio and Soprano Ashley Seaton are outstanding voice majors at California State University Long Beach and the concerts will be their international premiere as soloists in a major production. Christopher Luthi and Joshua Tuburan are the pianists.

Impressions from the Festival Prelude Concert

The Carmina Burana Festival Choir directed by Maestro Dr. Jonathan Talberg

The CSUSB Chamber Singers directed by Dr. Andrew Crane

The Carolina International Chorale directed by Dr. Sue Klausmeyer

The California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir directed by Dr. Jonathan Talberg

Magnificent start for Carmina Burana Incantato Festival on the Amalfi Coast

Enchanting Welcome Dinner for the Incantato Festival 2008

The Incantato 2008 Festival Welcome Dinner and Reception took place at the beautiful Torre Normanna Restaurant in Maiori. A stunning view over the Amalfi Coast, plenty of local specialties plus wine and music awaited the 150 participants from the United States.L

Cal State Long Beach Chamber Singers performed twice in Rome - "Siete Bravissimi"

The CSUSB Chamber Singers left Rome with memories of two performances in one day. First, they were the featured guest choir for High Mass at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and then presented their second formal concert at the Chiesa di Sant'Alessio on the Aventine Hill. The singers performed to very appreciative audiences and received lots of applause. "Siete bravissimi", "Molto bravo", "Bellissimi voci", were just a few of the very positive comments CSUSB got.

The ensemble under the direction of Dr. Andrew Crane arrived in Rome on June 22 after spending a couple of days in Tuscany, the first stop of their 2008 Performance Tour to Italy. Next and final destination is the magnificent Amalfi Coast where the choir will be presenting first a joined concert and then Carmina Burana together with the CSULB Chamber Choir and the Caroline International Chorale as part of the 2008 Incantato Festival.

CSULB Chamber Choir made it to Italy

The California State University Long Beach Chamber Choir made it safely to Italy on June 22. The 35+ singers under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Talberg are touring Italy this summer where they will be perfoming Carmina Burana on the Amalfi Coast and in Rome. Updates on the CSULB Italy Performance Tour 2008 will be posted here frequently.

CSUSB Chamber Singers Italy Tour - First concert in Florence already a success

The California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) Chamber Singers arrived safely in Italy on June 19. The ensemble under the direction of Dr. Andrew Crane presented their first indivual concert in San Gaetano in Florence on June 20 to a full house and received standing ovations. The picture on the left was taken by Midean Toth, the proud mom of singer. We'll add more pictures soon and will also feature short videoclips of the other performances.

Their next concert prior to joining the 2008 Incantato "Carmina Burana" Festival on the Amalfi Coast in on Monday, June 23 at Sant' Alessio on the Aventine Hill in Rome at 9 pm. The CSUSB Chamber Singers will also be the featured guest choir for High Mass at the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore at 6 pm.

Below is the group's concert schedule.

Dolci Melodie

THE CSUSB CHAMBER SINGERS

Sabato, 21 Giugno alle ore 21

June 21, 9 pm

San Gaetano – Firenze

Lunedi, 23 Giugno alle ore 6

June 23, 6 pm (Messa Cantata/Sung Mass)

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore – Roma

Lunedi, 23 Giugno alle ore 21

June 23, 9 pm

Sant’ Alessio – Roma

Mercoledì 25 Giugno alle ore 21

June 25, 9 pm

Collegiata di Santa Maria a. Mare – Maiori

con il coro della California State University Long Beach

& il Carolina International Chorale (USA)

Carmina Burana on the Amalfi Coast

Impressions from the SBCC Farewell Dinner

The Santa Barbara City College Concert Choir ended it's 2008 Performance Tour to Ireland on a high note: The 52 travelers from California were singing and dancing the night away at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin as part of their "Shindig" Farewell Dinner organized by Incantato Tours. The Three-Man-Band and Claddagh Irish Dancers were a true hit with the crowd and SBCC was invited to perform as well - not an easy task after a tour of the distillery and a yummy three course meal including some strong Irish coffee which was - for most - accompanied by a few pints for most and also a tasting of the Jameson whiskey.
The truly outstanding band dedicted "Danny Boy" (video also featured below) to director Nathan Kreitzer who was presented with a special gift from Incantato Concert Management as a small token of our appreciation for the opportunity to work with and for SBCC on this exciting tour: a traditional Bodhran. In addition, Nathan received the XXL tour poster (pictured in front of St. Patrick' s Cathedral) which was signed by all participants at the bottom.
Last not least, the dancers invited guests from the audience to show their skills to traditional Irish tunes: SBCC singers Matt, Kenny, Angela and Christina were brave enough to try and had a blast. Email us to info@incantatotours.com to see for yourself.

SBCC Concert Choir concludes Ireland Tour with a true highlight concert at Kylemore Abbey

The Santa Barbara City College Concert Choir presented their forth and finale concert on their 2008 Performance Tour to Ireland organized by Incantato on Thursday, June 12 at the magnificent Gothic Church at Kylemore Abbey. The singers under the direction of Nathan Kreitzer enchanted the audience with their full program titled "Songs of the Old and the New World".
One of many highlights was the world premiere of Michael Eglin's newest composition "Barter" - soon to be available by the Santa Barbara Publishing Company. The 40+ singers received lots of applause from the international audience - Germans, French, Irish, Scots and visitors from various other European countries, even some Australians enjoyed the noon concert at the newly renovated church which offered standing room only - the about 80 seats were taken even before the concert started.
More videos and pictures from the performance will be featured on our blog asap.
This group picture was taken after the concert.
Please visit Incantato Tours & Concert Management on youtube.com/incantatotours for recordings from this and other performances.

SBCC College Concert Choir takes Irish pub in Killarney by storm

The picturesque town of Killarney in Ireland is home to many musical pubs with Danny Mann on New Street being one of the most popular ones. Thus it was an ideal place for the Santa Barbara City College Concert Choir to present a "fun concert" on June 10. Finally, the singers from California directed by Nathan Kreitzer had a chance to perform their secular Irish repertoire they had prepared for their 2008 Performance Tour to the Green Isle. After selections from Irish composers David Mooney and Michael McGlynn featuring Treasa McGettigan as the soloist, and "MLK" from U2 with Travis Morse as the soloist, the concert concluded with two very well received American spirituals and "Irish Blessing". Both the performers and the audience really enjoyed the Irish Pub gig as you can tell by the smiles on the singers' faces and the applause they received.
Our video clips from this performance come with typical pub background noises, but we hope you enjoy them nevertheless.
Below fetaured is "Dúlamán", for more videos of this and other fine choirs traveling to Europe with Incantato Tours & Concert Management, please visit youtube.com/incantatotours.

More Incantato Concert videos online

We just added new videos to our Incantato Tours & Concert Managament youtube account. Especially fans and friends of SBCC should check them out. The quality is not the greatest since there was a lot of background noise in the church, but we hope you enjoy them nevertheless. Click here