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MELODIA! 2008
SOUTH AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Music and Outreach in Brazil and Argentina
Rio de Janeiro / Petropolis / La Plata / Buenos Aires
Itinerary – 13 days/10 nights
Check out the Itinerary for Melodia! 2009
DAY 1: DEPART NORTH AMERICA
- Depart from North America for BRAZIL
DAY 2: RIO DE JANEIRO
- Early arrival in Brazil's RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio de Janeiro is graced by its topography. The city is situated on a 15-miles strip of land, wedged between mountains and sea. There are some thirty miles separating downtown Flamengo from far-flung Recreio, bordered on one side by the blue sea, on the other by verdant hills. 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 at hotel
- Rest and relax or visit the beach
- Welcome Dinner
DAY 3: RIO DE JANEIRO
- Breakfast
- Corcovado tour
On this excursion we will set out along Rio's beautiful residential beaches, then proceed to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and its luxury condos (catching a glimpse of Corcovado) and finally to the traditional Cosme Velho section with its historic turn-of-the-century mansions. Here we will take a cogwheel train up to the Christ statue. The 20-minutes ride gives you just enough time to prepare yourself mentally for what is awaiting you at the top. In the meantime, enjoy the lush scenery and take in some of that fresh mountain air. We've reached the top and are now climbing the stairs to the 122-ft tall Christ statue. After a brief pause, we return to our train for the descent.
- Free time for lunch and to go to the beach
- REHEARSAL - individual choirs and orchestras
- Singing Dinner featuring performances by Festival participants
DAY 4: RIO DE JANEIRO
- Breakfast
- 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
We will drive along the beaches toward Sugar Loaf. Then we'll take the panoramic cable cars up to the top for a breathtaking view of this most wonderful city, looking down over Corcovado, Guanabara Bay, sister city Niteroi, downtown and the beaches.
- Dinner on your own
DAY 5: RIO DE JANEIRO
- Breakfast
- Drive to Petropolis
Petrópolis, also known as the Imperial City of Brazil, is a town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, about 60 km from the state's capital. Nested among the forested hills of the Serra dos Órgãos, in the valley of the Quitandinha and Piabanha rivers, Petropolis is a popular summer holiday spot. The town's name ("city of Peter") honors Emperor Pedro I, the nation's first monarch. The city was the summer residence of the Brazilian Emperors and aristocrats in the 19th century, and was the official capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro between 1894 and 1903.
- INDIVIDUAL ENSEMBLE CONCERT featuring all Festival participants with their own conductors at the Winter Music Festival in Petropolis
The Petropolis Winter Music Festival takes place between June and 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 Petropolis
- Return to Rio for sightseeing and shopping at the Hippie Market
- Dinner on your own
DAY 6: RIO DE JANEIRO
- Breakfast
- REHEARSAL - combined Festival Ensembles with guest conductor
- Free time for lunch and shopping
- INDIVIDUAL ENSEMBLE CONCERT featuring all Festival participants with their own conductors at famous Candelaria 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
DAY 7: RIO DE JANEIRO - BUENOS AIRES
- Breakfast
- Fly to 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.
- Free time for lunch
- City Tour
- Group dinner
DAY 8: BUENOS AIRES
- Breakfast
- REHEARSAL - combined Festival Ensembles with guest conductor
- Free time for lunch
- Sightseeing and shopping in the colorful neighborhood of La Boca
- Group dinner followed by a Tango show
DAY 9: BUENOS AIRES
- Breakfast
- REHEARSAL - combined Festival Ensembles with guest conductor
- Group lunch
- Latin American music workshop with acclaimed clinician/composer/conductor Oscar Escalada
- Dinner on your own
DAY 10: BUENOS AIRES
- Breakfast
- DRESS REHEARSAL - combined Festival Ensembles with guest conductor
- Drive to LA PLATA (45 minutes)
Designed to be the Capital City of Buenos Aires Province from its very beginnings, La Plata stands as an example of a well-planned metropolis with its geometrically perfect layout, magnificent public buildings, and many green areas. Located in the region of the "Pampa Húmeda", La Plata is only 55 kilometers from the city of Buenos Aires. It is an important administrative, commercial and cultural center. The city houses the National University of La Plata, known as one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Latin America.
- Group lunch and sightseeing in La Plata
- GRAND CONCERT featuring combined Festival Ensembles with guest conductor in La Plata
- Return to BUENOS AIRES
- Dinner on your own
 DAY 11: BUENOS AIRES
- Breakfast
- ACOUSTIC REHEARSAL - combined Festival Ensembles 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
- Breakfast
- 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.
- Lunch and afternoon at the Estancia Santa Susanna, an working ranch featuring performances by the Argentinean cowboys known as gauchos
- Evening departure for North America
DAY 13: MORNING ARRIVAL IN NORTH AMERICA
Itinerary subject to change
Venues and cities are tentative and may be replaced with similar alternatives
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