monfalcone- il concerto finale

We got in late on Wednesday! Many of us took the morning to sleep in, and enjoy the continental breakfast offered in the Best Western. We met at 5 in the hotel's conference room to take a collective breath and each share our intentions for the remaining days of tour. If you can believe it, the concert we sang yesterday was the choir's final full concert as a group! Our repertoire for the competition will be broken up into different categories on different days, so hearts were full as the group reflected on what they've accomplished together this year.

Our concert yesterday was in Monfalcone, not far from where we're staying in Gorizia. Monfalcone ("Falcon mountain" in Italian) is the northernmost port of the Mediterranean sea, and is a major industrial centre for manufacturing ships, airplanes, textiles, chemicals, and refined oil. The air was warm, and there were barking dogs everywhere. Our singers barked back. The local women's choir, Coro C.A.I. Monfalcone, met us with open arms and a light lunch before the concert, which they opened for us! Check out this recording of them singing the song "Maramao perche sei morto..." (Maramao (a cat), because you died...)

Chamber choir took the stage for one last full concert, with some very special volunteers. Throughout the tour, (like on all of our tours) Ethan has been inviting the graduate students and graduating music education students to conduct one piece of their choosing with the group. And since he needs to take the reins for the Seghizzi competition, this was the final chance to let the students conduct the choir. Katie, Kimi, Alyssa, and Chance conducted pieces last night, bringing the final number up to fourteen. Fourteen student conductors!! Thats nearly half the choir!

We're also so excited to have former Chamber Choir tenor Kaya Hellman with us again! He's been traveling through Europe this month, and arrived in Monfalcone last night. He'll be playing drums for Balleilakka during our 'pop' set in the Seghizzi competition. Kaya and I were able to jump in for the choir's encore performance of Beulah Land, this was a great night for alumni.

Alyssa (a.k.a. Madame President) took the stage to conduct La Menace- Francis Poulenc's violently composed anti-war piece. WWI-era lyrics, set to WWII-era music, creates a powerful message that is still needed today. Take a listen.

After dinner, we were treated to a lovely dinner of pizza and various snacks by Coro C.A.I. Monfalcone, before getting back on the bus to our hotel for a good night's rest. Our first performance in the Seghizzi competition is tomorrow, wish us luck!

​Bonus: Check out the venue's livestream of last night's concert in Monfalcone