Italy Tour Travelogue Four
Dear Friends,
A 90-minute bus ride south of Florence sits the small, walled, medieval hill-town of San Gimignano. Renowned for its medieval architecture and unforgettable skyline, it is high on the list of must-sees for anyone visiting Tuscany. As the Georgia Boy Choir made their way through the massive gates that give entrance to the town, they imagined life in the 13th and 14th centuries when the city was at its zenith. They enjoyed a guided tour through the town and were particularly enamored by the beautiful frescoes on the walls of the cathedral. After a delicious lunch with gorgeous views, they continued their journey southward toward Siena.
Years from now when the boys have become men, and they reminisce about their concert tour to Italy, they may remember many of the magnificent cathedrals and great works of art they saw, but for most of them, their fondest memory will be of the wonderful Villa of Nerbona where they were to spend the next two nights. This lovely bed and breakfast boasts two separate campuses, separated by a picturesque dirt road, each with its own swimming pool, fields for playing, soccer goals, sheep grazing in the pastures, and bicycles for getting back and forth. As one singer described it: “A little bit of heaven, right here on earth.”
On Tuesday morning, they drove the short distance into Siena to see the sights. Famous for its very large Piazza del Campo, which twice each year is turned into a horse track where bareback riders from each district of the city compete to win the Palio and bragging rights as the best district. After lunch and, of course, gelato, the singers returned to the villa for an afternoon of recreation, leisure, and rest before the evening’s concert.
The Siena Duomo is one of the most stunning cathedrals in Europe. The enormous columns throughout its interior are constructed of alternating layers of white and greenish-black marble giving it a striped appearance. The floor is comprised of remarkable marble mosaics and seems almost too beautiful to walk upon. The Georgia Boy Choir had been invited to present a concert in the Duomo as part of the city’s “Festival Laudetur.” As the Choir sang, it was evident that the beauty they were providing was the perfect match for the splendor of the church. The audience that had assembled to hear them were effusive in their praise.
Click below to see a video of the Georgia Boy Choir singing “O Salutaris Hostia” by Gioachino Rossini in the Siena Duomo.
On Wednesday morning, the boys bid farewell to their beautiful villa and headed down the cedar-lined drive, destined for the city of Assisi. Assisi is known primarily as the home of St. Francis in the 12th century. It is the world headquarters of the Franciscan order of friars and a pilgrimage site for many who wish to visit the home of one of the most venerated religious figures in history. An earthquake in 1997 almost destroyed the famous Basilica of St. Francis, but it has been restored and is a jewel of architectural beauty. The nearly perfect acoustics and the brightly colored frescoes provided a scenario which was equally satisfying visually and aurally. The boys sang with their characteristic beauty, power, and sensitivity. Those present were grateful to have been able to hear them.
Click below to watch a video of the Georgia Boy Choir sing Psalm 150 by George Talbot in the Upper Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.
Following Assisi, it was on to the town of Montepulciano, in the heart of the wine region of Tuscany. The boys found it hard to believe that the scenery only seemed to get better as they went from town to town. The weather was ideal and the vistas that spread before them were awe-inspiring. The church of San Biagio is ideally nestled on the side of the mountain just below the city center. Its dome was used as a model for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It was under this dome in this idyllic location where the Georgia Boy Choir presented its next concert. The ancient organ has not been restored and proved unsuitable for use as accompaniment, so the Choir proceeded with an entirely a capella concert. The Choir performed magnificently and judging by audience reaction, the organ was not missed.
Click below to watch a video of the Georgia Boy Choir singing Ave Maria by Gustav Holst in the Church of San Biagio in Montepulciano.
As the tour is nearing its completion, comments such as, “I can’t believe how fast it has gone by” are heard in the boys’ conversations. But it is not over yet. There is one more city to come.
Until next time,
The 2019 Georgia Boy Choir Italy Tour Team