Rio

Well, it's now Friday morning in Rio de Janeiro. We've sung our final concert, experienced our final outreach experience and now have only to rush about seeing the sights while enjoying each other's company. Today is a Maracatu drumming experience, a visit to the famous Christo statue high over Rio, and a farewell dinner at Porcao. I fear that words will not able to describe all we've experienced. Ouro Preto... a magnificent glimpse at Brazil's rich colonial past. A wonderful concert to a full house in the oldest concert hall in the America's. The long but very beautiful drive from Ouro Preto to Rio (breathtaking mountains and too many wild turns to count).

The approach to Rio is disturbing, even confusing. So much wealth here. At the same time, mind boggling poverty. One enters Rio only after passing huge favela's (illegal settlements that are in effect approved by the government). Once past these slums, one quickly passes into what is one of the world's most beautiful cities (everyone is truly blown away by the stunning setting: mountains that tumble into the sea, glorious beaches, luxury high rises, etc.)

Our hotel is one block from Ipanema Beach. Ipanema is a bustling neighborhood, filled with great restaurants, tiny bossa nova clubs, and shops. We're one block from the Girl from Ipanama Bar. Lots of smiles.

Yesterday morning, we visited a favela: Favela Maré Vila Olimpica. After one enters the favela (driving past military police tank... you see, two drug gangs are vying to control the favela) you encounter a remarkable complex that includes an olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, and a large gymnasium. Here, children study music, sports, and dance in a safe environment. Kids from this favela have gone on to dance with the Bolshoi... it's that good. We were greeted warmly (something we've grown accustomed to experiencing), met lots of children and their teachers, and learned of all that is going on here. After seeing performances of dance and hearing a really fine adult choir, we performed... intense, to say the least. But, the choir was glorious, in spite of the emotions of the day. As usual, our pieces in Portuguese were received with cheers, whistles, and I suspect, no small amount of amazement (gringos singing in THEIR language!)

Last night then, was our final concert, held in the glorious 18th century cathedral (where the Brazilian emperor was crowned). Full house once again and enormous appreciation from the audience. We closed with a rousing Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory... surrounding the audience who joined in the chorus with gusto.

Ah.... Brazil.

Ouro Preto

As is typical on a choir tour blog, we're a little behind!! No thanks to intermittent internet connections! But, we're in Ouro Preto camped out in a wonderful old mountain inn with breathtaking views of the mountains. We arrived in Ouro Preto mid-day yesterday, after an early morning wake-up call (which followed a late night... but, more on that latter). All enjoyed a spectacular walking tour of Ouro Preto, which easily tops San Francisco in the thrill-hills department.

We have a few colds running around, but nothing too serious. What's great is to see how all are bonding with one another and that any lines between our two choirs are blurring! Friendships are being formed, lives are being changed. And that's what it's all about.

More later, I promise.

Balaio

As promised, an audio clip from our concert in Petropolis – a Brazilian folk song called Balaio.

http://www.singingcity.org/

Juiz de Fora

It's Sunday, July 5 and we have a relatively calm 1/2 day after a truly exhilarating 4th of July. After an easy trip from Petropolis to Juiz de Fora we checked into the Hotel Victory, in the downtown era. For some reason, everyone was hungry (a common theme on this trip, though everyone is surely consuming at least double their normal food intake, thanks to Brazil's penchant for incredibly sweet desserts and abundant tables)... so, all set off in various groups in search of a meal. Our little group feasted on Brazil's national dish, "Feijoada"... this is consumed every Saturday throughout the country. A hearty meal, it consists of black beans, lots of pork, rice, farofa, shredded collard greens, oranges. With a healthy dose of pimenta (hot sauce) and a cold drink, "feijoada" is one of the most satisfying meals on the planet!! All this for less than $10 a person. So, instead of hamburgers, corn on the cob, hotdogs... Mid-afternoon we set out to visit Aldeis Infantis SOS - an orphanage for about 100 children, age birth to teens. Here we divided into groups to visit the various homes on the campus where the children live with a kind of den mother. Immaculate living conditions and more importantly, an environment that is safe and in which the children are taught essential life skills. Initially we found many of the kids to be shy, reticent... but, over the course of a couple hours, we bonded with every child... much playfulness, teasing, fun. The head of SOS from Sao Paolo made a brief presentation, then, as the sun was setting (rapidly, as it does here!) we sang two selections. Thank heavens for brisk tempos, because by the end of the second piece, it was nearly night!! BUT, here's where the story grows more playful. The children had a surprise in store for us. We were invited to come up a little hill where there were several flag poles. Before we knew it, a recording of the Star Spangled Banner came on and lo and behold, the kids hoisted the American and Brazilian flag up... all this followed by a huge fireworks display. What a blast (many said, "the best 4th of July every.") After this we went to a reception where we had been told early there would be light refreshments. This reception, being Brazil after all, consisted of a huge variety of homemade cakes, juices, several homemade soups... in short, a feast that all - children and adults - enjoyed together. Dancing followed, smiles abounded, goodbyes were hard to say.

A beautiful 4th... two cultures... not colliding, but finding mutual respect and admiration.

Our first concert

Well, it's after 11 p.m. and we're basking in the glow of our first concert. The glow came not so much from any success we had musically, but more from the experience of singing for a wonderful Brazilian audience and from sharing a concert with the Coral dos Canarinhos... (you can learn about them at http://www.canarinhos.com.br/).... while they only sang two selections (one Brazilian, the other a John Rutter piece in English: "Look at the World") they were absolutely impeccable... About 60 children and teens (all boys), with tremendous discipline, gorgeous tone and impeccable phrasing. As they sang in English, all I could think was... "in about 10 minutes, we're going to sing in Portuguese.... YIKES!" But, all went well and the choir did its supporters proud by singing two selections in Portuguese (mighty fine, to tell the truth!!) We were well received... this was a great start.

I hope to have some audio files of concerts online in the coming days. Be patient! Because the internet isn't always so fast! Hope everyone is well in the states... now, it's on to Juiz de Fora!

Hello from Petropolis

Jeff mentioned the mountains - they are beautiful. We are settling in - on the way up from Rio, we drove along a very curvy road, hugging the highway. Close to our destination, we stopped for a bite to eat at a local, German-style restaurant/bakery. While it was tempting to consider one of the many enticing pastries, we resisted but did indulge in a bite of lunch. A short ride later and we arrived at our hotel.

We're in the mountains

Hi all,
Safe and sound (and happy). We're in our hotel in the mountains of Petropolis. Spectacular scenery, great hotel, immaculate, beautiful grounds (and did I mention the mountains!) No major travel problems.... the drive from Rio to Petropolis is spectacular, with lots of sharp curves, amazing vistas of mountains and valleys. We're now crashing for a couple of hours before our first big group meal tonight! Tomorrow is our first concert. We can't wait.

Pictures will follow!!