Remember the Incantato Facebook Page

Dear Friends and Family of the St. Bon's College travelers, 
We hope you are all as excited about the upcoming Performance Tour as we are. If you wish to stay updated with pictures and information regarding the tour, be sure to check out the Incantato Concert Tours Facebook page, as well as the European River Cruises Facebook page during the tour, as lots of pictures and updates about the concerts will regularly be posted throughout. 
Enjoy!

Confirmed Venue: Church of St. Anne, Budapest

The St. Bonaventure's College Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble will be performing in the Church of St. Anne in Budapest on Sunday, April 7th at 4 pm. Located on the Buda side of Hungary's capital city, the Roman catholic church dominates Batthyany Square. Built between 1740 and 1762, the two-towered Church of St. Anne, or Szent Anna templom in Hungarian, is a fine example of Italian Baroque architecture based on the designs of Matthias Nepauer and the Hamon brothers. It is also one of Budapest's most notable baroque buildings. 
On the top of the main gate, there are symbolic figures of faith, hope and love greeting visitors. Above them the coat of arms of Buda is displayed, and in the upper niche statues of St. Anne and Mary guard the entrance. While the frescoes adorning the interior are from the 20th century, the altar and other paintings date back to the 18th century.

Travel Tip: What to pack and Luggage Regulations

Dear travelers of  the St. Bonaventure's College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Choir, with Friends and Family,
As your departure for your 2013 performance tour draws closer and closer, Incantato Tours would like to provide you with some travel tips to make it easier for you to get ready for your journey:

For most people, packing for a trip is the most difficult part. The solution for many is to just pack as much as you possibly can into your suitcase and backpack, but as a colleague explains it: "You'll be thanking me later when you don't break your back from having to carry everything on your own. Don't do it!" Her advice: "Pack as lightly as you can. The best way to get it all to fit nicely into your suitcase is to fold it nicely and then roll it tightly. It can all fit into your bag like a puzzle."
The major factor is that you should bring only 1 suitcase, no heavier than 50 pounds!

Keep in mind, however, that many cathedrals have a dress code and will not allow you to walk in if you are wearing tank tops or shorts. A scarf or shawl is a good solution in this case. And shorts or skirts should always go to your knees (both for Ladies and Gents).

Here are a few things that we think are essential to have to be comfortable with what the weather brings and with the weight of your bag - remember, we allow only one checked bag per person (maximum 50 pounds) and a small carry-on such as a bagpack. Here a sample packing list (just a suggestion!):

* Rain jacket, maybe with fleece insert
* Umbrella
* Gloves, scarf, hat.. if you tend to feel chilly
* An adapter plug/converter (if bringing electronic devices)
* Camera and batteries or charger with adapter
* At least two pair of jeans/pants, ladies may want to bring a couple skirts or dresses too
* a sweater or two (or three)
* Plenty of shirts, including a polo or two and at least two dress shirts (Europeans dress much more formal than Americans)
* Plenty of undergarments and socks for daily changes
* A watch, make-up and jewelry if applicable (carry on any valuables at all times)
* Choir music and attire
* Don't forget shoes, we recommend a maximum of three pairs (tennis shoes, good everyday shoes, dress shoes). Bring nice concert shoes, but make sure that you will be able to walk long distances in them. Europeans do not wear flip flops other than to the pool or at the beach.
* Put all liquids that are in your carry-on into a zip-lock bag. And remember the 311 rules: Transportation Security Administration 3-1-1 on Air Travel 
* All scissors, fingernail clippers, etc. are better packed in your check-in luggage along with liquids over 3 ounces. Bring enough contact lense solution and prescription medication that you may need for the whole duration of the trip.
If you forget anything there are plenty of shops where you can by shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

Confirmed Venue: Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Photos courtesy of Schönbrunn Facebook page

The St. Bonaventure's College Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble is scheduled to perform in front of the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna on Tuesday, April 9, as part of the Vienna Tourist Board Voices of the World initiative.
As Austria's City of Music, the capital city of Vienna is able to boast with composers such as Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven and more, all of whom have worked here. In light of this rich musical history, the Vienna tourist board has launched a special initiative called Voices of the World for music groups from around the world. 
It is inviting choirs, bands, orchestras and other musical groups from all parts of the world to Vienna and is offering the opportunity to perform in at one of the city's most stunning and most popular sights: the baroque Schönbrunn Palace. Aside from the unique atmosphere, the groups will also be experiencing open-air performances as they perform in front of the Palace, at the foot of the sweeping staircase. 
Last year, over 100 musical groups from around the world were invited to particpate in this unique initiative.

Confirmed Venue: Melk Abbey, Austria

On Friday, April 5 the St. Bonaventure's College Chamber Choir will be the featured guest choir during a private mass in the Melk Abbey church at 10 am. 
Among the world's most famous monastic sites, the Benedictine Abbey at Melk was originally a palace built between 1702 and 1736. It is located on the banks of the Danube River and adjoining the Wachau Valley, Austria. 
The Abbey contains the tomb of Saint Coloman of Stockerau, as well as the remains of several members of the House of Babenberg, Austria's first ruling dynasty. A highlight within the Baroque abbey complex is the church, which was built around 1702 and featuring striking frescoes. 

Esztergom - learn about the beautiful basilica

The Basilica of Esztergom, being the cathedral of the Primate of Hungary, is the first in rank, and also the largest among the churches in the country. The church in the place of the present Basilica was founded by King St. Stephen during the first decade of our statehood.
At a time when the king himself had been staying in Esztergom, it was consecrated in honor of St. Adalbert, and was called „beautiful church". It had been completely destroyed during the time of the wars with the Turks. Only one of its side-chapels escaped destruction.

The construction of the present basilica was started by Prince-Primate Sándor Rudnay, according to plans by Pál Kühnel and János Packh, in classicist style. The laying of the foundation-stone took place in 1822. The construction had taken almost 50 years, because of long intervals due to the vacancy of the archbishops seat, and because of the 1848 War of Independence. Changes had been made by József Hild in the original plans. Finally the basilica was consecrated on August 31, 1856 by Prince-Primate János Scitovszky during the mass composed for the occasion by Ferenc Liszt.
The altar paintings are the work of the Venetian master Michelangelo Grigoletti. The frescoes were painted by a master from Munich Ludwig von Moralt. The statues were carved by the Italian sculptors Pietro Bonani and Pietro della Vedova, and by the Austrian Johann Meixner. Three Hungarian sculptors also worked for the basilica: the statue of St. Stephen the martyr is the work of István Ferenczy, the large statue of János Simor is that of Alajos Strobl.
The statues made by György Kiss can be seen at the side altars. The crypt of the basilica is the burial place of the Hungarian primates beginning from Ambrus Károly (1809). Auxiliar bishops and most of the members of the Basilicas chapter also have been buried here. The tomb-stones of some famous medieval primates like Dénes Széchy or János Vitéz can also be seen in the crypt.

A wonderful panorama of the Highlands (north-west) and of the Pilis Mountains (south-east) can be enjoyed from the cupola.