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MELODIA! 2009
SOUTH AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Music and Outreach in Brazil and Argentina
Rio de Janeiro / Petropolis / La Plata / Buenos Aires
Itinerary – 13 days/10 nights
View pricing and package options
DAY 1: DEPART HOME
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2009
- Overnight flight from home city to Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 2: RIO DE JANEIRO (WD)
THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009
- Arrive in Rio de Janeiro.
Brief city tour of Rio de Janeiro for early arrivals. Rio de Janeiro is quite simply one of the world’s most beautiful and vibrant cities. Its unique setting, with dramatic mountains and beaches at its very center, sets it apart from the other great cities of the world. Lush vegetation, stunning scenery – a city wedged between the ocean and the mountains offers you the unique “carioca” way of life: lots of sun, engaging natives, excellent dinners in world-renowned restaurants, a gamut of cultural/entertainment options, the lure of aquamarines, emeralds and other precious stones, and boutique shopping that will keep you at it for days.
- Check in to the hotel.
- Free time for lunch on your own.
- Free time to explore on your own. Visit Copacabana, one of the world’s most celebrated beaches.
- Welcome Dinner.
- Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 3: RIO DE JANEIRO (B, D)
FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Corcovado Tour. Depart for a guided sightseeing tour of Corcovado Mountain (Morro do Corcovado) and Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue.
The 2,316 ft Corcovado Mountain derives its name from corcova (hunchback), which describes the physical appearance of the mountain itself. On the summit, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue towers over Rio, and is Brazil’s most recognizable landmark. Work on the statue began in Paris in 1926, with French sculptor Paul Landowski working on the head and hands. Having been shipped from France to Brazil, the 98 ft statue was faced in limestone and hauled up the mountain by rail to be assembled and attached to supporting pillars. It was officially inaugurated in 1931 to mark the centenary of Brazil’s independence. The enormous statue sits in the center of the gorgeous tropical jungle of Parque Nacional da Tijuca. As of July 7, 2007, Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
- Free time for lunch on your own.
- Free time to explore on your own. Visit Copacabana, one of the world’s most celebrated beaches.
- Rehearsal for individual choirs and their own conductors.
- Singing Dinner featuring performances by festival ensembles and individual participants.
- Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 4: RIO DE JANEIRO (B, L)
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Cultural Exchange and Performances by individual festival ensembles at a Samba School; festival participants will be joined by the Cidade de Deus Children’s Choir from the favela City of God.
Life in one of Rio's favelas or shantytowns such as Cidade de Deus (City of God) is dangerous and difficult, but children participating in the Cidade de Deus Chorus attend weekly rehearsals which include choral singing as well as percussion lessons, building on the great drumming tradition in Brazil. Participants also receive a hot meal, have fun in a safe environment, and hopefully begin a lifelong love for music and singing. The Yale Alumni Chorus, a Classical Movements client, founded the children's choir and provides funding for the two instructors well as the meals and rehearsal location. Classical Movements supports the choir through interaction with other clients visiting Brazil, and organizes this annual opportunity for the children to participate in Melodia!
- Traditional Brazilian Feijoada lunch for all participants at the Samba School
- Sugar Loaf Tour. Depart for a guided sightseeing tour of Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar).
Guarding the entrance to Guanabara Bay, the monolithic granite and quartz Sugar Loaf Mountain rises 1,300 ft above the waters of the southern Atlantic Ocean. You will take a cable car to the summit. The glass walls of the cable car allow sweeping views of the city. The summit provides unforgettable views out over Copacabana, Ipanema, and the scenic Corcovado and Tijuca.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 5: RIO DE JANEIRO (B, L)
SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Drive to Petrópolis.
Located in the mountains near Rio, Petrópolis, also known as the Imperial City of Brazil, owes its creation to the Brazilian royal family. Dom Pedro I’s dream of building a summer residence here was fulfilled by his son, Dom Pedro II, who was equally taken by the charms of the region. In 1843, before construction of the palace began, he decreed the creation of Petrópolis as the summer seat of his government. The city soon rose in importance, as trappings of royalty made their mark. Today, Petrópolis is popular for its royal attractions, as well as for its mountain scenery and national park of Serra dos Órgãos.
- Individual Ensemble Concert featuring all festival participants with their own conductors at the Winter Music Festival in Petrópolis.
The Petrópolis Winter Music Festival takes place in July. The eclectic programming includes ballets, shows of popular and instrumental music, concerts of classical music, theatrical shows, lectures on the magic world of the opera, and presentations by new Brazilian musical artists.
- Group lunch at a Churrascaria in Petrópolis.
- Return to Rio for sightseeing and shopping at the Hippie Fair.
The best and most famous arts and crafts market in Rio is the Hippie Fair (Feira Hippie de Ipanema), taking place every Sunday in and around Praça General Osório in Ipanema. The fair, which first began in 1968, runs from 8:00 am to 6:00 PM and is the perfect place to pick up souvenir paintings or Brazilian arts and craft works.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 6: RIO DE JANEIRO (B, D)
MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Rehearsal with combined festival ensembles with guest conductor.
- Free time for lunch on your own.
- Free time to explore and shop on your own.
- Individual Ensemble Concert featuring all festival participants with their own conductors at the famous Candelária Church.
A brilliant site to behold in the midst of the bustling Avendia Presidente Vargas, the Candelaria Cathedral brings tranquility and peace to the center of the city. It was built in the late Baroque style with slight Neo Classical influences. The elegant façade doors are accented in rich bronze and the interior is cloaked in marble. Construction began in 1778 over the foundation of a chapel that a Portuguese couple, Antonio Martins of Palms and Leonor Goncalves, built in gratitude to Our Lady of the Candeias after they survived a ship wreck in 1600 on their way from Portugal to Brazil. Since 1880 the church has been used for important occasions such as state funerals and visits by foreign dignitaries. Many important choirs and musicians have performed there including a concert conducted by Igor Stravinsky.
- Post-Concert Celebration Dinner.
- Overnight in Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 7: RIO DE JANEIRO – BUENOS AIRES (B,D)
TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Flight to Buenos Aires.
- Arrive in Buenos Aires.
- Free time for lunch on your own.
- City Tour of Buenos Aires.
Buenos Aires is not only the capital of Argentina; it is also one of the 10 most important metropolises in the world and the center of the political, economic and intellectual life of the country With 13 million inhabitants it is also the most elegant and busy city in South America. This cosmopolitan city - with great European cultural influence - displays a refined taste in its cooking, in its “boutiques” and in the elegance of its inhabitants. Despite modern construction and dynamic activity, it has managed to preserve old traditions and charming corners. The atmosphere, the individual personality of each of its neighborhoods, the cordiality of its people and the wide selection of its cultural and commercial opportunities, fascinate one.
- Group dinner.
- Overnight in Buenos Aires.
DAY 8: BUENOS AIRES (B, D)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Rehearsal with combined festival ensembles and orchestra with guest conductor.
- Free time for lunch on your own.
- Sightseeing and shopping in the colorful neighborhood of La Boca.
Perhaps the most colorful neighborhood is the lively Italian section of La Boca, along the waterfront. Stroll through the artists’ market in the Caminito, an open-air gallery whose corrugated iron and timber houses are covered with bright scenes depicting the tango and local architecture.
- Group Dinner and Tango Show.
- Overnight in Buenos Aires.
DAY 9: BUENOS AIRES (B, L)
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Rehearsal with combined festival ensembles and orchestra with guest conductor.
- Group lunch.
- Latin American Music Workshop
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Buenos Aires.
DAY 10: BUENOS AIRES (B, L)
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Dress Rehearsal with combined festival ensembles and orchestra with guest conductor.
- Drive to La Plata.
La Plata is capital of the Province of Buenos Aires and merely one hour’s drive from Buenos Aires, La Plata is an important cultural center.
- Group lunch.
- City Tour of La Plata.
Just off Plaza San Martín, is the Legislatura, the Palacio del Gobernio, and the Pasaje Dardo Rocha, a large cultural center. The gothic Catedral de La Plata is on the Plaza Moreno, and across the plaza you’ll find the Palacio Municipal. One block away, is the Teatro Argentino. The Paseo del Bosque is a series of pretty parks in the center of the city, with lakes, a zoo, an observatory, and a theater, Anfiteatro Martín Fierro.
- Grand Concert featuring combined festival ensembles with guest conductor at the La Plata Cathedral.
- Return to Buenos Aires.
- Dinner on your own.
- Overnight in Buenos Aires.
 DAY 11: BUENOS AIRES (B, FD)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Acoustic Rehearsal with combined festival ensembles and orchestra with guest conductor.
- Grand Concert featuring combined festival ensembles with guest conductor in Buenos Aires.
- Free time for lunch.
- Sightseeing and shopping in Buenos Aires.
- Farewell Dinner.
DAY 12: BUENOS AIRES (B, L)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2009
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out of the hotel.
- Morning visit to San Telmo.
San Telmo is the best kept historical neighborhood and eldest district of Buenos Aires. Here we have time to stroll around Plaza Dorrego, where you can find many antique shops. If you did not find the right souvenir yet, you will certainly find it here. Along the streets actors and dancers perform and artisans sell handmade crafts.
- Fiesta Gaucho Tour with lunch.
This lovely excursion is an excellent opportunity to get in close touch with the argentine Gauchos and traditional music and dances. You can stroll around on the farm, have a horse or wagon ride, visit the museum or watch the Gauchos preparing your barbecue, called asado al asador.
- Group Barbecue-Lunch.
- After lunch, the owner of the Estancia, will play the typical music and show how they use to dance in the Pampas. The gauchos mount up and begin their displays of horsemanship, we have front row seats.
- Evening overnight flight to your home city.
DAY 13: ARRIVE HOME
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009
Itinerary subject to change
Venues and cities are tentative and may be replaced with similar alternatives
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