After a smooth trip across the Atlantic, the Collegium Musicum quickly settled into Hotel Fiaccola to embark on their "Living the Arts in Italy" adventure.
"Our new friends at the hotel and in the town of Faicchio have gone out of their way to welcome us," writes chaperone Kevin Conroy. "The hospitality has truly been over-the-top. Sunday Collegium sang a beautiful mass to a packed church of families who then welcomed us into their homes for an afternoon feast of several delicious courses and homemade dishes."
Each morning at the castle in town, students were busy with morning rehearsals with Bruce Fifer, followed by classes of video, journaling, acting, Italian, drawing, photography, and cooking.
"We took a fantastic day trip down to the Amalfi Coast to the picturesque city of Positano," adds Conroy. "With breathtaking views of the sea and mountain-side homes, we descended on down to the cathedral and gave a glorious concert that was followed by a five course dinner at a beachfront restaurant. Truly amazing! We will all be sad to leave our new friends in Faicchio after we conclude this Friday night with a Festivale at the Castello."
Faicchio is in the Campania region of Italy, northeast of Naples and northwest of Benevento. Following the three-hour trip from the airport in Rome, Taft travelers will be welcomed to Faicchio by Mayor Mario Borrelli. During their stay, Tafties will attend classes at the Castello di Faicchio (famously investigated for its paranormal activity), perform at masses and festivals throughout the region and soak up the beauty and culture of Italy. They will visit the Amalfi Coast, the Royal Palace in Caserta and Rome, to name just a few of the stops on their tour.
The trip culminates with Collegium performing during mass at the high altar in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City on Tuesday June 19 at 5 p.m. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world.
The Taft Collegium Musicum is a group of 50 vocalists who sing a repertoire that represents every major period of music history. They have also sung new music and commissioned several compositions. The Collegium has had master classes with a distinguished group of conductors and vocalists, and has toured Australia, Canada, China, Great Britain, France and Spain. They make their third trip to Italy this summer.