Day 6 St Stephen’s Cathedral Concert

July 11th, 2008 Posted in SCHOOL TRIP REPORTS

Most of the morning was spent rehearsing. Firstly at the hotel in the not very conducive dining room and then in the Kurhaus of the cathedral. The tension mounted and could almost be cut with a knife. Around the cathedral were posters advertising our participation at the midday mass and for a concert immediately afterwards. Yet again the Parent Music Supporters Club was in evidence to give moral support.
The acoustics in the cathedral are amazing and the girls’crisp voices rang out confidentally and clearly. As a stalwart of five music tours I have seldom experienced such a neck tingling performance. The girls’ concentration was remarkable and well worth the many hours of practice and coaching. Well done girls and music staff!

After the concert it was time to relax around the beautiful St Stephen’s square or to climb the 342 steps of the cathedral spire for a breath stopping view of Vienna. Being polite it was a case of ‘no, after you, I insist’ until it was time to re-assemble for an afternoon of culture.
The first activity was a walk along the main shopping street (Prada, Dolce Gabbana, Tiffany’s etc) but
unfortunately no time to stop (near rebellion from the fashionistas of the 6th form). At the end of the boulevard we entered the courtyard of the Imperial palace and through to the national Library and eventually to the Kunsthistorischemuseum (Museum of fine art). The galleries hold a fabulous collection of the works of Breughal, Durer, Cranach, Rubens et al. When I asked some Year 7’s if they liked Canaletto one replied ‘I had a chocolate one at lunchtime!’ (no that was a cornetto). Trying hard to educate I said they should look for Tintoretto, Titian, and Caraveggio - they were amazed that Italian football players would visit a museum - enough said!
As we left the museum one of the curators complimented the girls on their behaviour especillay as they were such a large party. Not only can they sing they can behave!

 

 

 

As an antedote to culture we spent the evening at the Prater, an amusement park famous for its large Ferris wheel. A heady combination of being turned upside down at speed, frightened to death by heights, plunged through rapids and the consumption of vast quantities of sweet fairground fayre meant the journey back was unusually quiet - except for a few stomachs that is.

You must be logged in to post a comment.