Wednesday - June 27- Salzberg, Austria

Edelweiss

Every day we awaken wondering how we could top the previous day. This day started with a three hour tour of the sights made famous in the 1965 movie classic – Sound of Music. The highlights included Mirabel Gardens (where the children danced around the fountain singing “Do-Re-Mi”), Nonnburg Abbey (site of the performance for Maria and the Von Trapp’s great escape), Heilbrunn Palace (site of the Gazebo where  “I am Sixteen going on Seventeen” was sung), and the Cathedral at Mondsee (site of the wedding of Maria and The Captain). Our tour guides shared some of the inside scoop of the real life of the Von Trapp’s that can only be shared in person.

We concluded the tour in the city center where most of us replenished our energy with sausages, hot dogs, pretzels and chocolate. With our batteries recharged we boarded a funicular where we were transported up the side of a steep hill to the site of Hohensalzburg Fortress. From there we viewed the picturesque, panoramic view of the Salzsburg landscape.

Following an afternoon of much needed retail therapy we sat in one of the many sidewalk cafes and enjoyed a cold local wine or beer and watched the comings and goings of life on the city streets of Old Town, Salzburg.

The Real Maria Von Trapp

We were all like children as we anxiously awaited our most anticipated event in Austria, The Sound of Salzburg Dinner Show. This show included the best of the Sound of Music, Trapp folk songs, operettas and Mozart selections.  One of the highlights of the show included video clips of the real Maria and her youngest son sharing their memories from their early Von Trapp lives. This video also discussed the children’s role in the Captain’s and Maria’s engagement and subsequent marriage.

We were delighted when some of our choir members and companions were chosen to be part of the show. Guess who wowed the audience and the cast with their performances?

This whole evening exceeded all of our expectations and will be forever etched in our memories of this trip.

Back to the hotel to pack and get ready for our early morning departure for Vienna.

Tuesday, June 26, Salzburg, Austria

The morning sparkled as we browsed the crystal at the Swarvoski Crystal factory in Wattens. We walked through a hypnotic display of music, colour, light and fantasy of various shapes and sizes of crystals. We saw everything from a large crystal tree to giant jellyfish. The tour was followed by a shopping frenzy where the melody of VISA swiping was heard throughout the store. Crystals are now a girl’s best friend!

We boarded our coaches where Show and Tell was the entertainment for our two hour trip to Salzburg. On arrival in Salzburg we embarked on a two hour walking tour assisted by two local guides dressed in their dindl’s (the local period costume that is still worn today). We learned about the dindl and our dindl apron bow would be tied to the left. Aren’t curious about this? 

We followed our tour guides through the narrow streets of Old Town where we were we stood directly below the third floor window of Mozart’s birth place. This building is now a museum where Mozart’s piano still resides. Each year one child is chosen to play on this piano…. Can you imagine the honor bestowed on this child!

The tour included many other historical highlights too numerous to mention in this short blog.

The evening was concluded with our most elegant dining experience, Mozart’s concert at St. Peter’s Stiftskeller. We were dressed in our very best topped off with our sparkling purchases from the morning… Great timing!

After our 18^th century Austrian inspired dinner we walked back to our pumpkins (Ooops, we mean coaches) as we felt like princesses/princes walking in our finest in the spectacular scenic surroundings wondering when our coach would turn into a pumpkin. A fairy tale evening indeed!

June 25 – Monday - Innsbruck, Austria

We started of our day with a wonderful breakfast followed by meeting 2 of our English speaking guides. Of we were whisked to the Olympic Ski jump where we witnessed 3 retired ski jumpers who had retired at the age of 23 years old. They amazed us by soaring through the air and landing on artificial turf right before our eyes. We were then treated to a ride up to the very top of the ski jump and our eyes feasted on a spectacular view of the city and the backdrop of the Alps.

We boarded our coaches and then proceeded to the city centre where we took a guided tour of the Old Town where the streets were lined with attractive facades of numerous Baroque buildings including the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) which is the symbol of Innsbruk, with its oriel window added in 1500 and covered with 2657 gilded copper tiles. We were indeed fortunate in that we were present for the uncovering of the roof that had been covered for cleaning for 1 year. In the middle of a downpour in front of the Golden Roof we broke into Singing in the Rain accompanied by the dancing of our tour guide. Our second FLASH MOB! This was then followed by our second most favourite thing – Retail Therapy J Some of our group opted to go to a wine tasting event.

Our day was concluded with dinner and entertainment at a traditional Tyrolean show where we encountered our first yodeller and some dancing that was representative of this area. The singing and dancing was accompanied by instruments that were definitely not made in Canada. The show ended with a multi-national sing-along where the national or unofficial national songs of more than 20 countries were sung.  Canada was well represented with the most boisterous singing. France never had a chance J   We will always remember a very special MOOOOO!!!!!!! This moment would have to be explained in person when we see you.

Back to our hotel and to pack for our journey to Salzburg.

Sunday - June 24, 2012

Today was our time to bid farewell to the Val Pusteria area where we participated in the Festa dell'Arrivederci" (closing ceremonies) for the Val Pusteria International Choir Festival in Sesto or Sexton (depending on if you speak Italian or German).  Today the over 3200 participants watched proudly as our choir directors and leaders accepted our choir Certificates of Participation. Emotions and spirits were high!

Once again the atmosphere was filled with joy and celebration as the choirs said their good-byes to new found friends. Several choirs performed for the emotional choristers and the finale performance included all 3200 voices singing Signore della cime - a beloved Italian song. What an amazing song......what an amazing experience!

San Candido Good Luck Coin

During the closing celebration one of our choir members was approached by a Director of an Italian choir to share her thoughts of the festival throughout the week. With both of her arms held high, she drew a large circle in the air and said: "Here....only love ...only peace...." So very true! <3

Another highlight of the day was when Hannah, an organizer from San Candido approached a choir member, she held a bag filled with sparkling gold coins. Hannah explained that the Canadian choir had been so kind and generous throughout the week, that the village of San Candido would like every choir member to have a token from the village which represents a wish for good luck! It has a 4 leaf clover on one side and the village symbol on the other - we now each have one to cherish - another fond memory :)

Following the closing, we boarded our bus and we were off to Innsbruck, Austria.....nestled in the heart of the Alps to begin another chapter of the journey.

After arriving and getting settled in at another Fabulous hotel, we gathered for another wonderful meal and then about half of our choir members attended a German mass celebration in an amazing cathedral just across the street. The German priest was very welcoming and was delighted to allow the choir members to sing at the end of mass - the song chosen was May the Good Lord Bless and Keep you........beautiful!

Saturday - June 23 - Val Pusteria

Today has been an overwhelming experience!
For this blog we want to share with you all of the joyous feelings we are experiencing and the incredible feedback we have been receiving from countries from all over the world......this has been been for us an experience likened only to an event like the olympics!!!

At 1:30 today we sang at an open air concert in San Candido with choirs from South Africa, Italy , USA, Brazil and Czech Republic. The highlight of today was the Choirs parade through the streets of San Candido - 92 Choirs in total participated......there were colors and flags and singing and many international friendships were forged.

Now we'll share some of the comments that we've received:

• Your music has kissed my ears!
• You are bella bella bella!!
• We love Canada!
• Where can we hear you perform again?
• Your sound is very sweet.....
• Language is no barrier....
• Bellissima!!!!
• You are so very generous!

We were truly ambassadors for our country Canada and our province NL; we distributed Canadian flags, pins, tattoos, bookmarks, lanyards and even an occasional umbrella to persistent admirers!!! Everywhere we looked we could see a sea of Canadian flags, pins and umbrellas - how much pride this day has given......

As Valerie so eloquently described as she was preparing us for our day, we are amabassadors of peace through our gift of music to all! To quote from one of our songs with the greatest audience impact - "Music builds a bridge, it can tear down a wall....Music is a languiage that can speak to one and all..........THIS IS WHY WE SING........."
Finishing our day at the Piazza del Magistrato with 3200 other singers in a spirit of unity, was a life altering experience; to share the space, the songs and the love that flowed freely was a gift for each of us!!! We are truly blessed.

Upon return to our beautiful villa and another wonderful five course meal - this time a traditional Tyrolese Feast - the celebration continues.......the touching experiences of this day and of the Alta Pusteria International Choir Festival will remain in our hearts forever....

Friday, June 22 - Val Pusteria

Today was our busiest day since arrival - we had three singing gigs! The last one was at Midnight....phewwwwww! What a day!

We considered stopping our blogging here as we're are soooooooo exhausted however.....we know you are eagerly awaiting our tales - so here we go........

Today we participated in three performances; we sang with 11 choirs in the morning, including Russia, Italy, South Africa, as well as 5 Italian and 3 choirs from Israel. The evening concert included HHM Alumnae choir plus 3 others, including  2 Italian and one choir from Israel. We rushed by bus from our evening concert to our midnight gig at the choir festival at Piazza Von Kurz in Villabassa where choirs performed one piece each throughout the entire evening. At the midnight gig we sang an exuberant rendition of Singing in the Rain.....using our Canada umbrellas......once again the crowd was WOWed and even called for an encore (which we weren't allowed to deliver due to time restraint :)

That's it for the singing aspect of today - now - back at the hotel for the afternoon we finally had some relaxation time. Many tracks were made to the local (small) supermarket where they sell food, wine, beer...........did I mention wine?........And did I mention that Pinot Grigio is the local specialty???? Well........we have depleted their supply of Pinot Grigio!

Really......the afternoon was fabulous - the weather is spectacular, the location is exquisite and the villa has charm galore.....what more could we ask for.......FABULOUS time!


We'll be back to tell you about tomorrow.......soon......bye for now!

Thursday - June 21st - Val Pusteria

Today was our first performance day!
After another delicious breakfast we boarded our buses for transfer to Plan de Corones mountain where we travelled by gondola to the summit at 2275 meters! While many enjoyed the breathtaking view of the ride..........others.......NOT SO MUCH!

At the summit the Festa de Benvenuto (welcome party) took place, where we performed Jack Was Every Inch a Sailor! Everyone understood every word (do you believe that???) and the applause was thunderous! This took place on a stage beneath the second largest Bell in Italy - the bell is named Campana Della Concordia. The view was spectacular - we can only imagine what skiing here would be like!

Following the welcome party we descended and drove to the medieval town of Brunico, where we saw the influence of both the Austrian and Italian cultures. Unfortunately, shops here close for a siesta from noon to 3:00, so we couldn't spend our precious Euros.......try as we may.

Again back to our beautiful villa for a couple of hours of downtime - a chance to rest , swim, hike, sip wine (Pinot Grigio is the speciality of this region) or get to know one another......

Another 5 course meal - and back to the performing where we were one of 4 choirs - the others included two Italian choirs and one from Israel. We sang 6 pieces from our repertoire and were received enthusiastically; people were energized by our performance!

Back to the hotel at midnight where some sipped wine on the patio and we were all treated by a natural water and light show.......thunder and lightening with rain like we have never before seen - wow!


Sleep is welcomed.......tomorrow we start early again with another performance day. We'll chat/blog again soon.......