Ensemble Touring Blog

Author: stacia

  • Amazing Architecture

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    stacia

    Written by Ben Batz ’12 (tenor) “Add one more thing to the list of romantic aspects of Italy! Beyond the language, the people, and the food, the architecture that surrounds us on a daily basis is enough to stop you in your tracks and force you to adopt a slow pace while you’re out and…

  • Assisi Pilgrimage

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    stacia

    Being in Assisi feels like being in another time. The entire city is constructed of stone and most of it is a “fleshy pink” colored brick from the area (reminiscent of the Minnesota River Valley Kasota stone present in some Gustavus Adolphus College buildings). The architecture of Assisi ranges from Medieval (Rocca Maggiore) and Romnesque…

  • Moving on to Assisi via Orvieto

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    stacia

    After riding a Sorrento concert high, the Gustavus group (unfortunately) had a very early morning wake up call and departure from the beautiful, music-loving seaside community. On the buses heading north on the first rainy day of the tour, the initial experience was waiting in a long traffic jam (which gave most passengers extra sleeping…

  • Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Concert

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    stacia

    “Buona sera! Mi chiamo Rebecca Hohag. As a junior at Gustavus, this Gustavus Choir trip is my first time abroad. Needless to say, I am soaking up every possible opportunity in Italia! This “soaking up” includes sharing the music we love, sharing good food together, and challenging myself to step outside (or rather, speak outside)…

  • From Rome to Sorrento via Pompeii

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    stacia

    Today, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, was a busy day of travel from Rome to Naples where the Gustavus contingent had a delicious Italian lunch of gnocchi, pork, and dessert followed by a guided tour of Pompeii. For those of you who don’t know, Pompeii is arguably one of the most important archeological sites in the…

  • Italian Song a Hit

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    stacia

    The Italian’s hearts are warmed by the Gustavus Choir’s performance of “Illumina le tenebre.” This Italian song, translated as “Prayer before the Crucifix” in English and composed by Joan Szymko with text from Italy’s patron St. Francis of Assisi, is an audience pleaser. The following video captures the choir singing the piece at the Monday,…

  • Mass and Concert in Santa Maria in Trastevere

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    stacia

    Just when you think you’ve seen all the beauty possible in one day, something else of beauty is around the corner. After a day of seeing beautiful art in the Vatican — from the museum collection of paintings and sculptures to the smartly engineered and beautifully architectured spaces — another Italian gem is shared with…

  • Vatican Museum, St. Peter’s, and Sistine Chapel

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    stacia

    The best way to approach the Vatican Museum is to not let it exhaust you, by not trying to exhaust it. The knowledgeable local museum guides Ilaria and Carmela (the same ones who led Saturday’s excursions to the Colosseum and the Forum) deserve appreciation for sharing that philosophy and making it happen. Ilaria and Carmelo …

  • Two Sunday Masses in Rome

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    stacia

    The Gustavus Choir participated in two Sunday masses while in Rome. One at noon at Santa Maria in Montesanto and one later at none-other-than St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The first mass was in the same space as the previous night’s concert. The all-Italian, Catholic mass was attended by a few hundred people, primarily…

  • Gustavus Choir Tradition Continues in Italy

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    stacia

    The Gustavus Choir has a unique tradition. Following each performance, the choir swiftly exits the venue, forms a large circle (typically outside because that’s the most suitable space for nearly 60 people to form a circle), and performs a finale for themselves called the “Circle Song.” Well, this tradition continues abroad. See for yourself by…