Chicago Master Singers Tour 2016

October 17, 2016

This summer I had the opportunity to be a groupie on the Chicago Masters 2016 International Tour. We traveled to Amsterdam, Germany, and France. It's November now when I am trying to write about this, but I will do my best--probably a good thing in keeping it brief. 

So here are my highlights.

CMS Concert Highlights

• hearing CMS sing in these grand spaces and noticing the differences in sound in these spaces....most impressive was the very moving CMS concert for which over 500 people waited in line. 
• Cheryl's beautiful solo
• having a holocaust survivor at one of the concerts
• the connection that grew between the music and me, despite hearing the same concert each night...I am teary-eyed thinking of it

The Bikes....The Bikes

Amsterdam, Netherlands Highlights 

• the bikes-omg the bikes in Amsterdam(!!!) What can one say about the bikes and the public parking lots and structures to hold the bikes?!

Night Watch by Rembrandt

• the beautiful, historic artwork in the Rijksmuseum-especially Rembrandt's Night Watch 
• the Van Gogh Museum

• boat tour on the canals--the slow, steady ride and the unique houseboats along the river

• the powerful Anne Frank House--even after reading her journal and seeing the play and movie several times, it was a painful experience

• from my perspective, the even more powerful experience was the Corrie Ten Boom house-I could not believe the tiny space which sometimes held as many as 6-8 people for hours/sometimes days-- a space in which they had to stand the entire time. 

• probably a concert I will never forget and can still hear in my head was the most beautiful Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra concert at Concert-Cebouw.  I think I will always remember the synergy in the concert hall that night. The first chair violinist epitomized the meaning of "feeling the passion"v of his music

• running into one of my favorite students, John Binder,  from when I was a principal in River Forest. His trip there was a celebration of him getting his doctorate--still smile when I think of it.

• The private concert by CMS member Peter (and his talented girlfriend) who will be singing with Chicago Symphony this year. 

The famous I amsterdam structure

Trier, Germany Highlights

• the history of this city--so deep it would take pages for me to explain, but it was fascinating to learn
• climbing the aged Porto Nigra, a Roman city gate 

• the Roman Barbara Baths built in the second century--excavated sites are always fascinating to me

• St. Gangolf Church with it's beautiful depictions of crucifixion

• the  shrine in Trier Cathedral which holds the Holy Tunic-the robe Jesus wore when he died 
• being in the city where the Nicene Creed was said to have been drafted

Aachen, Germany

• loved this little city with a gorgeous cathedral, lots of street entertainment, lovely town square

• most enjoyable is this town's obsession with gingerbread of all kinds-some plain, some with fruit, some with nuts and all in all kinds of shapes and sizes

• Aachen Dom, in all its glorious marble and mosaic tiles--Germany’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.... Also this is where Charlemagne is buried and his throne is on display

Cologne, Germany

• CMS singing high mass at Kölner Dom--they did a magnificent job and surprised the pastor/priest as well

• Kölner Dom is location of the Shrine of the Three Kings where the bones of three magi are buried 

• seeing the small Greek Orthodox Church of the St. Georgios across the Rhine

• having a wedding videographer stop us and ask us to say something to the soon to be married couple and the CMS choir singing May the Lord Bless You for the bride and groom. Videographer was thrilled.
• taking the aerial tramway across the city and over the Rhine 
• having lunch and a brew at the Pub where my cousin George Nassos stopped to have beers when his family lived in Germany thirty-five years ago

• the use of public spaces for children and adults to relax and enjoy nature

Metz, France

• The Lantern of God Cathedral and its stained glass windows especially those done by Marc Chagall 

Canel de la Moselle

• walking along the gardens and banks of the Canal de la Moselle and watching people enjoy their outdoor public spaces

• looking in vain for a piece of quiche lorraine since we were in the Lorraine region but without success because we were at restaurants way too early--5:00pm

Other Highlights

• the greatest memories I have are of the people with whom I travel...there isn't an unfriendly person in the bunch
• my immediate traveling buddies -- so much laughter--so much fun

• making people laugh with my laying-about-in-public-spaces pictures

• the markets--love the abundance of colorful fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses,not to mention the flowers
• the beautiful cross I bought at the Delft museum

Well, these are just some of the many highlights.