Ensemble Touring Blog

Tag: Rome

  • Favorite Art Encounters

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    stacia

    Here, below, are some personal reflections from Gustavus Choir members about the art they experienced in Italy during the two-week January 2011 tour, which was preceded by studying art, culture, and creativity in the classroom earlier in the month. “The Visitation” by Mariotto Albertinelli in Florence “I’m not quite sure what it was about the…

  • 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…

  • Singing at Santa Maria in Montesanto

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    stacia

    On Saturday evening the Gustavus Choir performed its first concert of the tour in the Basilica Di Santa Maria in Montesanto, Rome and received a standing ovation. The concert was in a historic church located in a large outdoor plaza, Piazza del Popolo, located in the northern part of the city. About 200 people attended…