Incantato presents the University of Miami Frost Chorale at Santa Maria del Mar (Barcelona) on Tuesday, May 17

The University of Miami Frost Chorale will perform at Barcelona's Santa Maria del Mar on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 under the direction of Dr. Josh Habermann.
The first communities in what is now Barcelona were founded within the confines of the seaport, overlooking the "Mare Nostrom" and its old church in which Barcelona’s co-patron Saint Eulalia’s relics were buried in A.D. 303 following her martyrdom. This church, combined with a succession of churches on site, was referred to as "Santa Maria de las Arenas". During the Middle Ages, the first homes outside the walls emerged as the sailing quarter and ultimately led to the creation of the “La Ribera” district, of which Santa Maria de las Arenas became the community’s parish. The devout members of the parish pledged to construct a beautiful church on the existing site. On March 25, 1329, the first stone was laid on the site of the present Santa Maria del Mar, also known as the “Cathedral of the Sea,” located on Santa Maria Street in Barcelona. The temple was consecrated by the Bishop of Barcelona, Pere de Planella, on August 15, 1384. It took fifty-four years of continuous construction to complete the structure. The basilica’s Catalan Gothic style, a style characteristic of purity and unity, is very unique for a medieval building of its massive size. The construction of Santa Maria del Mar even served as the background inspiration for the best-selling novel La cathedral del mar, published by Spanish author Ildefonso Falcones in 2006. Tourist reviews of the site not only compliment the beauty of the structure itself, but also rave about the acoustics of the interior. Many visit the church merely to attend musical performances.

Mater Dei High School Chorus will perform at Il Teatro Comunale in Todi at 8 PM on Thursday, March 31

The Mater Dei High School Chorus will perform at Il Teatro Comunale in Todi at 8:00PM on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Todi’s Il Teatro Comunale, or Community Theater, is considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the entire Umbrian region. Designed by architect Carlo Gatteschi and completed in 1872, the theater opened in 1876 with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera". The auditorium boasts the traditional Italian horse-shoe design. The interior details were designed by Annibale Brugnoli, decorator of the Rome Opera House. Brugnoli adorned the stage with a vast curtain fresco depicting Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto’s 1531 visit to Todi. The theater, located near the center of town just off the Piazza del Popolo, accommodates up to 500 spectators.

Incantato performance venue for the Mater Dei High School Chorus on Tuesday, March 29: Montecassino Abbey

The Mater Dei High School Chorus, in addition to touring the site, will present a recital at the Montecassino Abbey on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 11:00AM.

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 Tours is proud to present the Mater Dei High School Chorus in concert at the Amalfi Duomo on March 27

The Mater Dei High School Chorus will perform Haydn's Paukenmesse with organ accompaniment on the evening of Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 7:30PM in the Duomo di Amalfi.

The Amalfi Duomo, located on the Amalfi Coast on the Gulf of Salerno, is recognized for its significant art and architecture and played an important role in the decision to designate the Amalfi Coast as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The town and its cathedral rest approximately twenty miles south of Naples. The Duomo, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, was originally constructed in the twelfth century, dramatically situated at the top of a steep flight of stairs overlooking the sea.

The first structure initially built on this site in AD 596 was replaced by a new church in the ninth century which now serves as a museum. The present Duomo di Amalfi was built in the early thirteenth century directly next door to the previously existing building for the purpose of providing an appropriately grand final resting place for the relics of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi, Russia, and Scotland.

Saint Andrew served as one of the first apostles, spreading the Christian gospel throughout Greece prior to his ultimate execution. His remains were transferred from Greece to Constantinople (present day Istanbul) in 357 during the Byzantine Empire. During the Fourth Crusade the relics were moved again to the Amalfi Cathedral where they can still be viewed in the Chapel of the Relics.

Although minor remodeling has occurred on the Duomo throughout the years, primarily during the Baroque period, the majority of the structure has been restored to its original form, revealing intricate medieval frescoes.

Photos courtesy of sacred-destinations.com

Incantato proudly presents the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir at Schweiklberg Abbey on Saturday, April 9, at 7 pm

Beautiful Schweiklberg Abbey in Vilshofen, Germany, will be the finale concert venue of the 2011 Incantato Performance Tour Cruise for the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Timothy Glasscock on Saturday, April 9, at 7 pm. The abbey was founded in 1905 by Cölestin Meier and five other monks. The church - where the performance will take place - has two significant onion domes which are around 167 feet high. There are eight dials, six of them show the current time, the other ones show the altitude of the sun and the moon. The church was dedicated to the holy trinity in 1925.

Incantato Tours proudly presents (y)our 2011 Performance Tour Series:

“Love Songs Human and Divine: Songs for the Spirit”

Presented by the University of South Carolina Concert Choir, of Columbia, South Carolina, USA. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Larry Wyatt and accompanied by Dr. Williams Bates.

The University of South Carolina Concert Choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 3 through March 14, 2011.

The tour will be in Tuscany from March 4 through 7, Labro on March 8 and 9, and Rome from March 10 through 14.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Sunday, March 6, 2011

• Mass at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
• Concert at Santa Maria Maggiore, Florence, 8:15PM

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 9:00PM

Thursday, March 10, 2011

• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:00PM

Sunday, March 13, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM

“Viva la Musica: Sacred choral music and jazz celebrating life, love, faith, and music”

Presented by the Bellarmine University Music Department, of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The Schola Cantorum, in collaboration with the Louisville Vocal Project, will present a concert of sacred and secular masterpieces from the past and present, featuring music by Parsons, Byrd, Stanford, and Burchard. The Jazz Ensemble will present a concert of well-known American jazz standards featuring the music of Ellington, Mancini, Rodgers & Hart, Young, and Garner. The choirs are directed by Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock, and the Jazz ensemble is led by Mr. David Clark. Mr. Richard Burchard serves as the head of the Bellarmine University Music Department.

The ensembles will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 3 through 14, 2011. The tour will be in the Amalfi Coast region March 5 through 7, at the Montecassino Abbey on March 8, Tuscany from March 8 through 10, Assisi on March 11, and Rome on March 12 and 13.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Saturday, March 5, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Sala degli Affreschi, Commune di Maiori, 7:30PM

Sunday, March 6, 2011

• Choirs Mass and Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 6:00 PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Torre Normanna, Maiori

Monday, March 7, 2011

• Choirs Concert at la Chiesa di Santa Teresa degli Scalzi, Naples, 4:45PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Oratorio Thouret, 7:00 PM
  

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

• Choirs Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Sala Bianca, Hotel Cellai, Florence, 7:00PM

Thursday, March 10, 2011

• Jazz Ensemble Concert at the Tea Room, Siena, 9:00 PM
  

Friday, March 11, 2011

• Choirs sing Mass at Saint Francis Basilica, Assisi, 11:00AM
• Likely Jazz Ensemble Jam & Recording Session, Calvi dell'Umbria

Saturday, March 12, 2011

• Choirs sing Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM

Sunday, March 13, 2011

• Choir sings Mass at the Church of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Rome, 12:00PM
• Choirs Concert at Il Duomo di San Gregorio Magno, Monte Porzio Catone, 7:00PM
• Jazz Ensemble Concert at Casal Pilozzo, Rome
  

“Songs of Hope, Peace, and Praise: from the master of the Italian motet to the master of the American spiritual”

Presented by the Mater Dei High School Chorus, of Santa Ana, California, USA. The 150-voice choir is under the direction of Mr. Scott Melvin and accompanied by Mr. Kent Helwig.

The Chorus will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 25 through April 3, 2011. The tour will be in the Amalfi Coast region from March 25 through 28, at the Montecassino Abbey on March 29, Rome for the Papal Audience on March 30, Umbria on March 31, and back to Rome from April 1 through 3.

The Chorus will present the following overseas performances:

Saturday, March 26, 2011

• Concert at Santa Maria a Mare, Maiori, 7:00PM

Sunday, March 27, 2011

• Mass at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 7:00PM
• Concert performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse at Il Duomo di Amalfi, 7:30PM

Monday, March 28, 2011

• School Exchange and Informal Concert at Maiori High School, 9:00AM

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Thursday, March 31, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Communale, Todi, 8:00PM

Friday, April 1, 2011

• Concert performance of Haydn's Paukenmesse with Orchestra Sinfonica Romarte at Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio, Rome, 8:30PM

Saturday, April 2, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM
• Recital in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, 8:15PM - Exclusive event, not open to the public

“A Journey of Light: A concert of choral music that will awaken the sense, inspire the soul, and warm the heart”

Presented by the La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, of La

Canada, California, USA. The La Canada High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are under the direction of Mr. Jeff Brookey. The program will feature works by American and European composers spanning five centuries, including Claudio Monteverdi, Franz Schubert, Maurice Durufle, Eric Whitacre, and Moses Hogan.

The ensembles will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from March 30 through April 7, 2011. The tour will be in Mestre on March 31, Venice on April 1, Verona & Pisa on April 2, Florence on April 3, Labro and Rieti on April 4, and Rome from April 5 through 7.

The choirs will present the following overseas performances:

Friday, April 1, 2011

• Mass at Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice, 6:45PM

Sunday, April 3, 2011

• Mass with JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
  
• Concert with JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 7:00PM
  

Monday, April 4, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 6:30PM

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM
• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:00PM

“I Saw Eternity: A spiritual pilgrimage through music of past and present”

Performed by the JSerra Catholic High School Chamber Choir, of San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. The JSerra Chamber Choir, featuring works by Bieble, Byrd, and Poulanc, is under the direction of Mr. Andrew M. Alvarez, and accompanied by Ms. Catherine Forbush.

The Chamber Choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State, April 1 through 11, 2011. The tour will be in Florence on April 2 and 3, Tuscany on April 4, Assisi and Labro on April 5, and Rome from April 6 through 10.

The singers will present the following overseas performances:

Sunday, April 3, 2011

• Mass with La Canada High School Concert Choir & Chamber Singers at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 6:00PM
• Concert with La Canada High School Concert Choir & Chamber Singers at la Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Florence, 7:00PM

Monday, April 4, 2011

• Mass at Il Duomo di Siena, 10:00AM
• Mass at San Francesco Basilica, Assisi, 4:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, 6:00PM

“Holy: Sacred music along the Danube”

Presented by the Youth Performing Arts School Touring Concert Choir, of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The program features traditional and contemporary choral literature by an eclectic mix of composers, including Palestrina, Byrd, Marenzio, Burchard, and Mozart. The choir is directed by Dr. S. Timothy Glasscock, Director of Vocal Studies, and accompanied by Mr. Timothy Lee Baker, Organist.

The Choir will travel on a performance cruise on the Danube River through Central Europe from April 2 through April 11, 2011. The cruise will dock in Budapest on April 4, Bratislava on April 5, Vienna on April 6, Dürnstein and Melk on April 7, Linz and Cesky Krumlov on April 8, Passau and Vilshofen on April 9, and Prague on April 10.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Exchange & Recital at the Evangelical Bilingual Lyceum, Bratislava, 10:00AM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Concert at Stephansdom, Vienna, 8:30PM

Thursday, April 7, 2011

• Concert at Duernstein Stiftskirche, 11:00AM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Concert with the Cesky Krumlov Pipers at the Church of the Holy Corpse, Cesky Krumlov, 6:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Concert & Youth Exchange at Schweiklberg Abbey, Vilshofen, 7:00PM

“A Collision of the Ancient and New World: a collection of Romantic and Contemporary choral gems of 19^th and 20^th centuries”

Presented by the San Marino Chamber Choir, from San Marino High School in Los Angeles, California, USA. The program features selected works by Claudio Monteverdi, J.S. Bach, Henry Purcell, Hugo Wolf, Morten Lauridsen, Moses Hogan, and many others. The Chamber Choir is under the direction of Mr. Howard Cheung and accompanied by Ms. Rachel Yang.

The choir will perform throughout Italy and the Vatican State from April 2 through April 12, 2011. The tour will be in the Castelli Romani region on April 3, the Amalfi Coast region from April 4 through 6, at Montecassino Abbey on April 7, Umbria on April 8, and Rome from April 9 through 12.

The Choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

• Concert at Castel Nuovo Sala dei Baroni, Naples, 8:00PM

Thursday, April 7, 2011

• Recital at the Naples Conservatory, 10:00AM
• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 3:00PM

Friday, April 8, 2011

• Concert at Il Teatro Flavio Vespasiano, Rieti, 9:00PM

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM

“La Storia: Sharing stories through song, from one land to another – a concert of choral and instrumental music”

Presented by the St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir, of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. The ensembles are conducted by Ms. Vincenza Etchegary, Instrumental Director, and Ms. Maria Conkey, Choral Director.

The St. Bonaventure’s College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir will tour Italy and the Vatican State from April 9 through April 17, 2011. The tour will be in Rome April 10 through April 12, the Amalfi Coast from April 13 through 15, and will conclude in the Castelli Romani region on April 16.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Monday, April 11, 2011

• Concert & Exchange at the Church of the Instituto Massimo, Rome, 10:15AM

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:00PM
• Concert at the Church of Gesu, Rome, 9:00PM

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM

Thursday, April 14, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Saturday, April 16, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 11:00AM

“¡Cantemos!”

Presented by the University of Miami Frost Chorale, of Miami, Florida, USA, features choral masterworks paired with Spanish and American folk music. The Frost Chorale is under the direction of Dr. Josh Habermann.

The Frost Chorale will travel to Spain, May 15 through 23, 2011. The tour will be in Barcelona on May 16 and 17, Valencia on May 18 and 19, Cuenca on May 20, Toledo on May 21, and Madrid on May 22.

The choir will present the following overseas performances:

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona, 8:00PM

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

• Concert at Palacio del Marques de Dos Aguas, Valencia

Thursday, May 19, 2011

• Concert with the Chamber Choir of the Professional Conservatory of Music at la Iglesia de San Esteban, Valencia

Friday, May 20, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de San Pedro, Cuenca, 8:00PM

Saturday, May 21, 2011

• Concert at la Iglesia de Santo Tome, Toledo, 8:00PM

“Passion and Faith: Sacred and secular music to touch the heart and feed the soul”

Presented by the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds, of Providence, Rhode Island, USA. The Choir is under the direction of Dr. T.J. Harper and Accompanied by Ms. Sherry Humes Dane. The Symphonic Winds are led by Dr. Jennifer Bill.

The ensembles will be touring Italy and the Vatican State, May 16 through 26, 2011. The tour will be at the Montecassino Abbey May 17 and 18, Naples on May 19, Amalfi and Maiori on May 20, Rome May 21, 22, and 25, and Tuscany May 23 and 24.

The ensembles will present the following overseas performances:

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

• Recital at Montecassino Abbey, 10:00AM

Friday, May 20, 2011

• Concert at San Francesco Basilica, Maiori, 8:00PM

Sunday, May 22, 2011

• Mass at Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, 5:30PM
• Recital at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City - Exclusive event, not open to the public

Monday, May 23, 2011

• Mass at Saint Francis Basilica, Assisi, 11:00AM

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

• Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, 6:00PM

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

• Papal Audience, Vatican City, 10:30AM
• Concert at Sant'Agnese in Agone, Rome, 6:30PM

“Songs from the heart to the heavens: Sacred and secular choral gems from the continental Europe, Great Britain, Africa, Australia, and the Americas”

Presented by the University of Georgia Chamber Choir, of Athens, Georgia, USA. The program ranges from works by Victoria and Brahms to jazz and spirituals. The choir is directed by Dr. Mitos Andaya and accompanied by Dr. Martha Thomas.

The choir travel on a performance tour of Portugal and Spain from May 19 through 29, 2011. The tour will be in Lisbon on May 20 and 21, Azambuja on May 22, Evora and Alentejo on May 23, Sevilla on May 24 and 25, Toledo on May 26 and 27.

“Gloria: A concert of sacred and secular choral music from the past and present”

Presented by the Fullerton College Concert Choir, of Fullerton, California, USA. The Choir is under the direction of Mr. John Tebay. The Fullerton College Concert Choir will perform throughout Germany and Austria from July 2 through 14, 2011. The tour will be in Weimar on July 3 and 4, Munch on July 5, Neuschwanstein on July 6, Salzburg on July 6 and 7, Spittal from July 7 through 10, and Vienna from July 11 through 14.

Incantato performance venue: Mater Dei High School Chorus sings at San Francesco Church (Maiori) on March 27

Incantato Tours proudly presents the Mater Dei High School Chorus under the direction of Mr. Scott Melvin at San Francesco Church (Chiesa di San Francesco) in Maiori. Save the date for the mass participation on Sunday, March 27, 11:00 AM.

The beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco was constructed in 1405. It is located between the convent and the Cove of the Announced one (Grotta dell'Annunziata) in Maiori. The church has a rough history: In 1435 it was destroyed by the army of Muhammad II (Turkey) and rebuilt one year later by Saint Bernardino from Siena. A sea storm hit the Chiesa di San Francesco hard in 1440. It was destroyed and in 1517 reconstructed on the oriental side of the convent. But the work was interrupted again by a Turkish invasion. In 1590 the construction was finally completed. Last but not least there were several constructive modifications after two seas storm in 1631 and 1674. The church is famed world-wide for the miracle of the springing water in the convent. Please click here to go the picture's origin.

Posted by Incantato Tou

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.

Incantato Tours presents the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds at Montecassino Abbey on Wednesday, May 18 at 10:00 AM

The Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds, of Providence, Rhode Island will tour the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, where they will also perform a brief recital for the Abbey community at 10:00AM.

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: Mass at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, Rome - Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 6:00 PM

The Providence travelers will perform mass at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. The Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, or Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, is an ancient Catholic Marian Basilica of Rome. The church is believed to have been constructed under the reign of Pope Sixtus III between the years of 432 and 440. It is considered one of the four major papal basilicas, and together with Saint Lawrence outside the Walls, was formerly referred to as part of the five “patriarchal basilicas” of Rome associated with the five ancient sees of Christendom. Also known as the Liberian Basilica, the church was formerly presided over by Pope Liberius who housed many congregations of early Christians in Rome. Santa Maria Maggiore stands as the only Roman basilica that retained the core of its original structure, left intact since its original construction even following the earthquake of 1348. The name Santa Maria Maggiore reflects two very important ideas of greatness, that of a major papal basilica and that of the largest Roman church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Following the formal ending of the Avignon papacy when the papacy officially returned to Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore served as the temporary Palace of the Popes due to the deteriorated state of the Lateran Palace. The papal residence was later moved to the Palace of the Vatican, now Vatican City.

Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds perform at Basilica Sant'Agnese in Agone (Rome) on May 25, 6:30 PM

The singers and musicians of Providence College will present a concert at Rome's Basilica Sant'Agnese in Agone at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
The Basilica Sant’Agnese in Agone in Rome was constructed in 1652 on the site of Saint Agnes’ martyrdom, now the location of the Piazza Navona. The designs for the Baroque church were commissioned by Pope Innocent X, whose funerary monument now lies within the church. The Pope’s family even had a large palace adjacent to the church. Baroque architect Francesco Borromini ultimately introduced a concave volume in the center of the sanctuary, creating prime acoustics for vocal music. Visitors enjoy the interior’s premier sculptural artwork, accented by the marble relief found in the main altar, as well as Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers that lies in front of the church.

Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds perform at Chiesa di San Francesco, Maiori - Friday, May 20, at 8:00 PM

Incantato Tours proudly presents the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds in concert at Chiesa di San Francesco in Maiori at 8:00 PM on Friday, May 20, 2011.

The beautiful Chiesa di San Francesco was constructed in 1405. It is located between the convent and the Cove of the Announced one (Grotta dell'Annunziata) in Maiori. The church has a rough history: In 1435 it was destroyed by the army of Muhammad II (Turkey) and rebuilt one year later by Saint Bernardino from Siena. A sea storm hit the Chiesa di San Francesco hard in 1440. It was destroyed and in 1517 reconstructed on the oriental side of the convent. But the work was interrupted again by a Turkish invasion. In 1590 the construction was finally completed. Last but not least there were several constructive modifications after two seas storm in 1631 and 1674. The church is famed world-wide for the miracle of the springing water in the convent. Please click here to go the picture's origin.

Incantato Tours presents the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City on Sunday, May 22

On Sunday, May 22 the Providence College Choir and Symphonic Winds, of Providence, Rhode Island, will sing at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. The Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace; the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli. Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted 12,000 square feet of the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512. He resented the commission, and believed his work only served the Pope's need for grandeur. However, today the ceiling, and especially The Last Judgement, is widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievement in painting.

Incantato concert venue: YPAS performs at Dürnstein Monastery on Thursday, April 7, at 11 am

Right on the Danube river - with a breathtaking view - stands the YPAS concert venue for Thursday, April 7, at 11 am: the Dürnstein Monastery ("Stift Dürnstein"). In 1372, at the place of today's monastery, a chapel was founded. Dürnstein Monastery was established in 1410 by Canons Regular from Třeboň and from 1710 rebuilt in a Baroque style according to plans by architects Joseph Munggenast, Jakob Prandtauer and Matthias Steinl. The monastery was dissolved by order of Emperor Joseph II in 1788 and fell to the Herzogenburg Priory. During the War of the Third Coalition the Battle of Dürenstein was fought nearby on November 11, 1805.
The town of Dürnstein is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the Wachau region and also a well-known wine growing area. The municipality consists of the Katastralgemeinden Dürnstein, Oberloiben and Unterloiben. The town gained its name from the medieval castle which overlooked it. The castle was called "Duerrstein" or "Dürrstein", from the German duerr/dürr meaning "dry" and Stein, "stone". The castle was dry because it was situated on a rocky hill, high above the damp conditions of the Danube at the base of the hill, and it was built of stone. Dürnstein was first mentioned in 1192, when, in the castle above the town, King Richard I Lionheart of England was held captive by Duke Leopold V of Austria after their dispute during the Third Crusade. Richard had personally offended Leopold by casting down his standard from the walls at the Battle of Acre, and the duke suspected that King Richard ordered the murder of his cousin Conrad of Montferrat in Jerusalem. In consequence Pope Celestine III excommunicated Leopold for capturing a fellow crusader. The duke finally gave the custody of Richard to Emperor Henry VI, who imprisoned Richard at Trifels Castle. Dürnstein Castle was almost completely destroyed by the troops of the Swedish Empire under Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson in 1645.

Special Guest: Bellarmine University singers will perform during Mass at Chiesa Santa Roberto Bellarmino on Sunday, March 13, at noon

On Sunday, March 13 at noon, the Bellarmine travelers will be the featured guest performers during mass at Chiesa di San Roberto Bellarmino. The church is located in the Parioli district, one of Rome’s most exclusive areas. It was built and designed by Clement Busiri Vici between 1931 and 1933. The church is named after a Jesuit saint of the seventeenth century, Robert Bellarmine. The interior has a single nave and transept, and an octagonal cupola. The mosaics of the transept, dome and apse are designed by Renato Tomassi. In 1980 the church was visited by Pope John Paul II.

Incantato concert venue: Il Teatro Comunale Todi

Incantato Tours is excited to introduce a new performance venue for the 2011 concert season!

The Mater Dei High School Chorus will perform at Il Teatro Comunale in Todi, Italy, at 7:00PM on Thursday, March 31, 2011.

Todi’s Il Teatro Comunale, or Community Theater, is considered one of the most beautiful theaters in the entire Umbrian region. Designed by architect Carlo Gatteschi and completed in 1872, the theater opened in 1876 with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Un ballo in maschera.”

The auditorium boasts the traditional Italian horse-shoe design. The interior details were designed by Annibale Brugnoli, decorator of the Rome Opera House. Brugnoli adorned the stage with a vast curtain fresco depicting Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto’s 1531 visit to Todi. The theater, located near the center of town just off the Piazza del Popolo, accommodates up to 500 spectators.

Incantato Dolce Vita- Danube River Cruise overview

Budapest (Hungary)

Bratislava (Slovak Republic)
Wien (Austria)
Dürnstein (Austria)

Melk (Austria)
Linz (Austria)

Passau (Germany)

Vilshofen (Germany)

Incantato Dolce Vita- Danube River Cruise Itinerary

 

DAY 1 Saturday, April 2, 2011
Overnight Flight to Budapest


DAY 2 Sunday, April 3
Welcome to Central Europe
Your Incantato Tour Manager welcomes you at Budapest airport and brings you to the cruise ship for a champagne reception and check-in at the MS Amalyra river cruise ship. The afternoon is at leisure to rest and explore the Hungarian capital city before you gather for a welcome dinner aboard with traditional Hungarian fare and Gypsy music. Don’t forget that typical local wines are served complimentary aboard during dinner every night.

DAY 3 Monday, April 4
Budapest Sightseeing – Sunset Sail
Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour with a local guide ending in the Castle District. Lunch will be served on the ship and the afternoon is at leisure for additional sightseeing and shopping. After another gourmet dinner, and once the sun sets over the Danube, your floating hotel will start the journey to Slovakia, and seeing Budapest by night from the water is a very special treat. Some of you may even want to experience the sunset sail-away from the rooftop hot-tub where a local brandy will be served as you bid farewell to Hungary.

DAY 4 Tuesday, April 5
Bratislava - City Tour & Beer Tasting, Vienna by Night
Good morning in Slovakia and welcome to Bratislava. After an orientation tour of the
historical city center, a special Slovakian beer tasting awaits the Incantato Dolce Vita group. Learn
about and taste the two traditional styles from various local breweries. After some free time, the ship continues on to Vienna and docks in the Austrian capital for two nights.

DAY 5 Wednesday, April 6
Vienna Sightseeing & Heurigen Evening
“Willkommen in Wien˝: Your guided tour includes the city‘s highlights followed by a Vienna brew pub visit and talk with an Austrian brew master. The afternoon is at leisure to visit museums, shop or just people watch. Upon return to the ship, a traditional Heurigen evening with Austrian specialties and live music awaits you.

DAY 6 Thursday, April 7
Beautiful Danube Valley: Dürnstein & Melk -Abbeys and Apricot Delicacies
Visit the picturesque town of Dürnstein and taste some of the local products like Marmalade or Schnapps made from the indigenous Marille, an Austrian apricot, then take a guided bicycle tour or visit the stunning Benedictine Abbey of Melk. Today will feature not only one, but two wine-tastings, first off the ship at Weinresidenz Sonnleitner, then aboard your floating hotel as the journey continues towards Linz.

DAY 7 Friday, April 8
Visit Linz and Optional Excursion to Salzburg or Cesky Krumlov
Prior to saying “Auf Wiedersehen Austria”, visit Linz- home to Bruckner, Mozart, and some really good beers. Those of you who don’t mind a few hours bus ride can choose between an optional excursion to Salzburg or crossing the border to the Czech Republic and South Bohemia to experience Cesky Krumlov‘s historic city centre and a medieval-style luncheon in a cellar restaurant that was a former prison. Tonight, continue on to Germany.

DAY 8 Saturday, April 9
Hallo Deutschland: Ancient Passau & Vilshofen “Oktoberfest”
Upon arrival in Germany and Bavaria, visit the historical fairy-tale town of Passau, founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago. See how the locals eat, drink and dress. If there is still space in your suitcase, you may want to add some Lederhosen or a Dirndl for special occasions like tonight’s “Oktoberfest” in charming Vilshofen. Eat, drink and be merry in the rustic atmosphere of a local beergarden, accompanied by folk music, song and dance. Upon return to the ship, the party continues as this is your last night on the cruise.

DAY 9 Sunday, April 10
Scenic Drive to Prague
Embark from the ship after breakfast and head to the heart of the Czech Republic by bus to visit its capital city Prague with a local guide. Your tour includes the Royal Castle District, Charles’ Bridge and historical city center. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure for some last minute shopping, a final beer tasting and is followed by a fun farewell dinner.

DAY 10 Monday, April 11
Departure home to Charlotte or Prague Extension.
As the official Incantato Dolce Vita Tour comes to an end, the flight group returns home today via Munich airport which features its own brewery. However those of you making your own travel arrangements may well decide to stay a few days longer in or around Prague.

Floating Hotel on the Danube: MS Amalyra, a four-star boutique vessel

Built in 2009, 360 feet long and 38 feet wide - that could be your home on the Danube river during your performance tour 2011 from Budapest to Vilshofen. The MS Amalyra was designed and built in Holland by Europe's best ship builders and under the watchful eyes of Europe's top Caterers. There are 2 lounges located on the Upper Deck from which you can enjoy panoramic river views, the Panorama Lounge which accommodates up to 150 passengers, and the smaller Adagio Lounge in the Aft of the ship, which can also be reserved for group meetings. A wellness area is located in the aft area of the Violin Deck. This generously designed space includes a glassed-in fitness room, massage and beauty salon. Each ship has an elevator, which very few river cruise ships feature. The onboard culinary staff offers menus comprised of soups, fresh produce, high quality choice cut meats, and fresh fish and seafood. Start your day with a breakfast buffet and choose from a rich assortment of breads, croissants and pastries, a variety of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereals, and smoked salmon. In the evening, be the guest for an elegant dinner or a traditional theme night with a feast of regional specialties.

Incantato Impressions: Danube River Cruise

Bratislava's vast wine history

The capital of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, is located amidst the Small Carpathian Wine Region, one of the six registered wine areas in the Slovak territory. The Small Carpathian Wine Region is the oldest wine-producing region in the nation.

The first references to wine production in Bratislava dates back 2,600 years, prior to the arrival of the Celts to the land. Later, the Celts and then especially the Romans diligently pursued the tradition of viticulture, when the legionnaires, in times of peace, planted and cultivated vineyards under the orders of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus. The viticulture survived and developed even after the fall of the Roman Empire, especially during the period of Great Moravia.

The growth and development of Bratislava’s viticulture has perpetually flourished since the 13^th century when commercialized distribution of wine took hold to satisfy the demands of the locals. Second only to the castle region, Bratislava townspeople are among the largest population of vineyard owners in the Small Carpathians. The high quality of the wine has secured a permanent market throughout the centuries. Through both local and foreign trade, the town has continued to thrive. Throughout history, regular buyers of Bratislavan wines have included such great rulers as Louis I the Great, Sigmund, and Ladislav V. Queen Maria Theresa loved the local wines, her favorite being the Fränkisch from Rača.

The most widespread grape varieties in the past were Veltlínske zelené (Green Veltliner), Silvánske zelené (Green Silvaner and Red Silvaner), Fränkisch and Portugal for the red varieties.

As early as the 13^th century, some Bratislava wine growers had the right to serve wine freely on tab in inns. Tradesmen, tapsters, and publicans also professionally served wine house-to-house, from their own homes, and public wine inns. Drunkenness at these public inns rarely resulted in the loss of face and good reputation, as the main reason for drinking was to relieve oneself of “devouring” worries.

Presently, Bratislava and its surrounding communities are part of the most important Slovak wine producers and represent the highest quality local wine production. Today the whole region actively “lives” with wine. Each year, the Small Carpathian Wine Region attracts a vast international crowd by hosting grape-picking festivities, open cellar days, the blessing of young wine, celebrations for Saint Urban—the patron saint of wine growers and producers, wine tastings, and a wine trail, in addition to a plentiful variety of wine bars, cellars, and shops.

Along with their top quality wines, the Slavs also flaunt their good hosting skills with their traditional cuisine. Local wine bars and restaurants also serve such regional specialties as knofle (dumplings), osuchy (dry-baked dough), dolky (baked pancakes), sciskance (potato pancakes), sulance (gnocchi), and a variety of hearty soups. Dessert consists of decadent pastries, doughnuts, cookies, and scones. The region’s most famous dish, however, remains traditional goose or duck served with potato pancakes. Regardless of one’s desired meal, Bratislava wine restaurants will always offer a perfectly paired glass of high quality wine to compliment the dish.

Vienna Sightseeing Tip: The Mumok

The Mumok (Museum Moderner Kunst/Museum of Modern Art) is the biggest museum of contemporary art in Central Europe, and Vienna’s greatest. The Mumok is always worth a visit, if only for its architecture. And inside it’s just as impressive, since the curators can draw from an extensive collection and present interesting focal points. There are five levels with works by Pablo Picasso, Nam June Paik, Andy Warhol and Günter Brus, ranging from Pop Art to Photorealism and from Fluxus to New Realism. 230 pieces were given to the museum by the German industrialist and art lover Peter Ludwig and his wife Irene in 1981. The Mumok regularly organizes special exhibitions and is known for its large collection of art related to Viennese Actionism. The Mumok is located in the Museumsquartier in Vienna, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Wien. It is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursdays till 9 pm. This sightseeing tip originates from the website www.redguide.at.