Italy Tour Travelogue One
Dear Friends,
Every year for the last 10 years, the Georgia Boy Choir has presented dozens of performances in their home state; and every year at the culmination of the season, the Concert Choir and Young Men’s Ensemble embark on a major international tour. Destinations over our first decade have included China, England, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Belgium. This past Friday, after weeks and months of preparation, 35 very excited boys and young men from the Georgia Boy Choir boarded a flight destined for the beautiful country of Italy for an 18-day concert tour.
First stop: the magnificent city of Venice. There are those who would contend that Venice is perhaps the most beautiful city in the world. It is certainly one of the most fascinating. The crown jewel of the city is the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Built in a Byzantine style reminiscent of Constantinople, this remarkable edifice stands proudly adjacent to the Doge Palace at the entrance to the city. For centuries it has welcomed travelers from all around the world to come and revel in its beauty. Some of history’s greatest musicians have served here – Gabrieli, Monteverdi, and Perosi among them. This past Sunday, the Basilica welcomed the Georgia Boy Choir to its hallowed space to sing for the midday Mass. The walls of the cathedral are lined with more than 90,000 glass tiles inlaid with 24 kt. gold and when the light is reflected off of them, it is as though the Shekinah glory itself is radiating throughout the sanctuary. As the room filled with light and worshippers, the young Americans, positioned in one of the balconies above the altar, began the service with Palestrina’s exquisite motet, Sicut Cervus. This is music created to be sung in such a space, and the combination of sight and sound was glorious. For the Ordinary of the Mass, the Choir presented a new work by Howard Shore, his A Capella Mass. The Georgia Boy Choir recently presented the US Premier of this stunning work and was please to sing it now in the Basilica. The service concluded with the Choir’s singing a hauntingly beautiful choral rendition of the Beatitudes set to the music of Tomaso Albinoni’s famous Adagio for Organ and Strings. It was thrilling to hear the boys’ voices echo throughout the church. Those in attendance were clearly pleased to have been fortunate enough to be present for such a thrilling and beautiful service.
Following the Mass, the boys eagerly explored the bustling city of islands, searching for just the right souvenir to take home. The highlight of the day for many was the gondola ride through the canals. When they finally returned to their hotels, refreshing sleep came quickly.
Monday morning found them back in the immense St. Mark’s Square. The light rain did not dampen the spirits of the intrepid young travelers. One of the things that Venice is most famous for is the manufacturing of glass by the Murano glass company. The boys were privileged to attend a glass-blowing demonstration by one of Murano’s Master Craftsmen. They were astonished to see a gorgeous vase and an elegant prancing pony appear before their eyes as the artist performed his magic. (Spoiler alert: several family members may or may not be receiving glass souvenirs as gifts from their choristers.) Following this, they toured the elegant Doge Palace, which had at one time housed the leader of the Venetian Republic and where all official State business was conducted. It is filled with rich history and priceless works of art. They walked across the famous Bridge of Sighs where prisoners used to be escorted from the courts to the prisons.
In the evening they made their way to the enormous Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, known more commonly just as the Frari Church. This imposing edifice is the largest church in Venice and one of the most interesting. It houses several significant works of art by the great Renaissance painter, Titian, as well as his imposing tomb. The acoustics in the cavernous nave are nearly perfect for choral singing and it was here that the Georgia Boy Choir was to present their first full concert of the Tour. As has become their custom, they opened the concert singing George Talbot’s setting of Psalm 150 in procession. It was remarkable how the sound seemed to come from everywhere as the singers, in their beautiful blue cassocks with green cinctures, made their way, two by two to the front of the church. Their timing was perfect, arriving in their places just in time to conclude the final verse. The Choir kept the audience spellbound as they progressed through their program of music primarily by Italian composers, at least for the first half.
Midway through the concert, the singers left the “stage” and organist Scott Atchison improvised a fantasy on “The Star-Spangled Banner” to commemorate Memorial Day. When the boys returned, they continued with an American theme, singing songs from their native land, starting with Aaron Copland’s “Zion’s Walls.” The audience, comprised of people from many different countries, was clearly receptive to this rousing tribute. Particularly moving was the Choir’s singing of “Let Beauty Be Our Memorial” by American composer, J.A.C. Redford. Several attendees were seen wiping their eyes.
Click here to view a video of The Georgia Boy Choir singing “Let Beauty Be Our Memorial” by J.A.C. Redford.
The concert concluded with the Folk Hymn, “Saints Bound for Heaven” and the audience immediately jumped to their feet to express their appreciation.
The energy level remained high as the boys and young men made their way back to their hotel, clearly satisfied with a job well done, and with their heads full of memories of their brief, but wonderful time in Venice.
Until next time,
The Georgia Boy Choir 2019 Italy Tour Team