University of Maine Singers Tour Europe 2012

The Singers go on tour every year in the spring, and last year Red Hook had the privilege of hosting them. They arrived in horrible wet weather but that in no way dampened their spirits! As soon as they started rehearsing in the chapel where they were to perform, those of us preparing for the concert were stopped dead in our tracks and just had to listen to the glorious sound!

The Singers fly into Zurich, Switzerland, and go by coach to Lucerne arriving in time for dinner. They give a concert the following evening in the Hofkirche.

Lucerne is a city in the German-speaking portion of Switzerland. It is on the shore of Lake Lucerne within sight of the Swiss Alps. No wonder tourists love it!

This Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a wooden bridge first erected in the 14th century, is one of the city's famous landmarks and is on the list of the sightseeing tour for the Singers. I like the swan too!

Kapellbrucke (Covered Wooden Bridge) Over the River Reuss, Lucerne
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Have to admit, I'd not heard of Lecco in Italy. But this photo makes it look rather stunning - gorgeous Lake Como and mountains of the Italian Alps - and no doubt there are gorgeous Italian people there too!

On the itinerary for the Singers there is Mass participation on Sunday morning at the Jesuitenkirche in Lucerne followed by the coach trip to Lecco. The next day has free time in the morning and then rehearsal and the concert in the evening at the Duomo.

Lecco, Lombardy Region, Italy
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Vicenza is approximately 60 km west of Venice, which is the next stop on the tour. This is where master architect Andrea Palladio was born. Together with the Palladian Villas of the Veneto in the surrounding area, and his renowned Teatro Olimpico, the "city of Palladio" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Palladio's most influential designs is the Villa Rotonda.

Cross-Section of the Villa Rotonda Near Vicenza, Designed by Andrea Palladio
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Who doesn't dream of visiting Venice? It's definitely a must-see for anyone going anywhere in Italy. The canals, gondolas, Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, to name just a few of the famous sights. And of course you can walk through the little streets without any cars!

Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, Venice
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The Singers spend the day in Venice, sightseeing, rehearsing, and performing in the evening in the Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli.

Is this trip exciting or what!

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol in western Austria. It is located in a valley between some really high mountains, and was twice the site of the Winter Olympics. The itinerary for the Singers includes a trip on the Hungerburg funicular up the Nordkette mountain. Now if she could just ski back down the mountain this would be a dream come true for my daughter!

Church with Mountain Backdrop, Innsbruck
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Of course, Innsbruck isn't just mountains and winter sports - there are lots of historic buildings too. It has some beautiful churches and other structures, including the famous "Golden Roof" constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in state and enjoy tournaments in he central plaza at the heart of the Old Town. After a good time sightseeing, the Singers will give a concert in the Wiltener Basilika.

What a great place to end the tour - the city of Mozart and the setting for much of the movie "The Sound of Music"!

As well as being a city of music, Salzburg has many beautiful historical buildings, including the Hohensalzburg Castle, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, that sits on a hill dominating the Old Town.

Mirabell Gardens and Schloss Hohensalzburg, Salzburg
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After the concert at the Pfarrkirche, there's a farewell dinner and the next day it's time to say goodbye to Europe!

Copyright © Jennifer P. Tanabe, 2012.
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