Blog: News and Views

Teplice

It is now our second to last day here in the Czech Republic and we are spending our last Czech days here in town of Teplice.  During the morning we had a rehearsal with a local orchestra for a showcase concert with us (Chor Leoni) and members of the UBC Opera Ensemble.  When it came for our turn to sing, the conductor ran though the piece once, and then gave us a friendly smile and said "See you at the concert or at the party!".

I stayed in the hall for a little bit to listen to the rest of UBC Opera Ensemble people and I was greatly impressed!  Truly enjoyable, very proficient and musical, it almost made me want to go back to school and study opera.

A bunch of the choir opted to take a tour of a local castle, a place where Casanova stayed and where Wagner was inspired to write an opera.  I didn't go, but when then got back they the did notice that they were missing our featured soloist for the night!  Jonathan Quick was left at the castle!  Later, someone joked that perhaps we had mistakenly done roll for the bus by saying "If you are not here, please let me know."  Jonathan described the experience as waiting to see if the bus would return, not having the bus return, and then walking to a train station where they told him that no bus went to Templice, and that he would have to catch a train 4 blocks away...although he was already in the train station.  Thankfully he was able to get a train back and all was well.

We performed the Czech song "To Beer" that evening in an outdoor park, where the sun shone and there was a fully house in the seats.  Although it was outside the acoustics were quite good, and some of us were even commissioned to sign autographs afterwards.  We also got the chance to chat with the other Vancouverites in the city, and afterwards the UBC Opera people came and ate, drank, and celebrated with us back at our hotel.  It was a wonderful way to close the tour, with singing, and bestowing the status of honorary lions to three wonderful people who help to organize the tour.

We are in Dresden, Germany, tomorrow.  Only one more day together before we all have to part ways, saddened by the separation, but warmed by the memories and experiences that we have shared and knowing that we will all meet again soon.

Posted by Ryan Cho on July 10, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Filed in: Tour Diaries | Permanent Link

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