Thursday, December 29, 2011

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah and a Wonderful New Year!!

Dear friends, artists and family,

We wish you a wonderful time during these days, full of joy and great memories, and a marvellous new year 2012!

Here you have Ainhoa Arteta, from the Basque Country, and her wonderful performance of this wonderful Christmas song, we hope you enjoy it!



We look forward to meet you and make you all happy in 2012!!

Best wishes,

Incantato Europe Team

Monday, December 26, 2011

Facts & Figures about Paris


Paris, with more than 2.2 million inhabitants, has always been the capital of France.

Paris's motto is "Fluctuat nec mergitur" something like "afloat without sinking ever", referring to Scilicet, the ship in the coat of arms of the city.

St. Genevieve is the patroness of Paris, symbolizes resistance to Attila in the fifth century.

Paris's city extension is quite small, only 40.7 square miles, including its two forests. The “Peripheric" belt road wholly surrounds Paris, running along almost 22 miles. In the centre of the city the density of population reaches 54,300 inhabitants per sq. mi., being one of the most expensive cities in the European Union for housing and living.

This has led to the huge Paris urban area (more than 1000 sq. mi.) and a huge corresponding population: more than 10 million people already in 2007.

The city is divided in 20 arrondissements (districts), starting by number I in the city centre, and increasing numbers in a curious shape: a snail! Each district is sub-divided in 4 quartiers (quarters).

The river Seine crosses the city during some 8 miles. The canal department of the City hall manages 68 bridges and footbridges, 37 belonging to the Seine, 32 of which are illuminated. The river reaches its highest dept at the Mirabeau bridge: 16.4 feet.

Paris is the capital with the most woodland in Europe, accounting for 478,000 trees, 120 main tree species, 8000 trees alongside the outer ring road, and 2 woods: Vincennes in the east, with 995 Ha, and Bois de Boulogne in the west, with 852 Ha. In Paris, it is easy to have a snooze in the park: more than 400 parks and gardens are kept for you all around the city.

The overall budget of the city of Paris reached 6.7 billion Euros: USD 8.75 billion just 5 years ago… There are 47,000 City Hall employees, and 49.9% of them are women...

Paris is a shopping paradise, it has the highest concentration of local shops in France, and in many other countries, accounting for more than 60,000 shops in the city.

Transportation in the city: there are 1.365 billion journeys per year in the Paris Metro - their underground-, some 15.200 taxis in circulation, and 800.000 parking spaces in inner Paris that are never enough!

There are 6,100 streets in Paris; the total length of pavements reaches more than 1800 miles, the distance between Buena Vista, NM and Orson, PA.

The longest street: Rue de Vaugirard (6th and 15th arrondissements): 2.7 miles.
The shortest street: Rue Degrés (2nd arrondissement): 18.8 feet.
The narrowest street: Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (5th arrondissement): 5.9 feet.
The broadest street: Avenue Foch (16th arrondissement): 393 feet.
The steepest street: Rue Gasnier-Guy (20th arrondissement): 17.4%.

There are more than 20,000 bicycles available at the Velib’stations (bicycles on a self-service basis), for the bikers who use the more than 230 miles of bicycle paths.

Paris has 13,260 crossroads, 9,884 benches, 107 clocks and 1,856 bus shelters. There are also 109 Wallace public drinking fountains, 1500 miles sewers and roughly 30,000 litter bins.

As a cultural capital, the numbers are amazing! With 134 museums, 143 theatres and 55 municipal libraries, there is an abundance of cultural knowledge to be obtained. Of course, the Louvre Museum is the most visited one, not only in Paris, but all around the world!! They receive 8.5 million visitors who come yearly to see their 35.000 art pieces in exhibition.

On the cinema side: 374 cinema screens with over 700 films shot per year, and some 3,500 days of film shoots. These films are viewed by more than 30 million spectators each year.

Paris is the city where cinema industry was born. On December 28th, 1895, the Lumière brothers cashed for the public debut moviescreening, at the Salon Indien of the Grand Café, on the Boulevard des Capucines.

And of course, Paris is the capital of tourism. Paris is the number one tourist destination in the world, with more than 27 million visitors every year! To go with that, 60% of hotel customers are foreign visitors, of which 1 in 3 are American or British!

Welcome to Paris!!

References:
https://film110.pbworks.com/w/page/12610310/The%20Lumi%C3%A8re%20Brothers

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

A glimpse of Spain at the holidays

On December 22 almost everyone in Spain takes part in the Christmas Lottery, and prizes are celebrated in style out in the streets.

Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25) brings families together. Traditional dishes such as lamb and sea bream are prepared, along with seasonal desserts such as turrón (rich sweet made with almonds), polvorones (crumbly shortbread) and marzipan.
Many attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, to commemorate the birth of Jesus. 

 December 28,  the Day of the Santos Inocentes, where people play pranks on each other similar to those of April Fools’ Day. Novelty items purchased at street markets add to the entertainment.

Bid farewell to the year with the New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31. Tradition has it that you have to eat 12 grapes one by one, in time with the striking of the clock at midnight on December 31. If you manage to eat all the grapes on time, you are in for a year of prosperity and good luck. People gather at the clock towers in their towns or cities (usually found in the main square) to toast and welcome in the New Year. Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid is a popular place to spend New Year's Eve. Thousands of people decked out with hats and squawkers joyfully toast in the New Year. Celebrations continue throughout the night at hotels, bars and clubs throughout Spain.

Another tradition is found in Alcoy, where young and old alike anticipate Christmas and the arrival of the Three Wise Men with special excitement. On the Sunday before January 6 (Epiphany), a  children’s parade called “les Pastoretes” (the little shepherds) is held. Children dressed up as shepherds parade with their flocks to give gifts to the new-born Baby Jesus. Excitement builds until January 4 when the Royal Envoy reads a royal proclamation announcing the coming of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, The Envoy is accompanied by “les Burretes,” small donkeys that carry letterboxes where the children put their letters to the Three Wise Men.

Finally, when night falls on January 5, the Three Wise Men make their spectacular entry into Alcoy, riding camels, loaded with presents. Torch bearers (antorcheros) light the way as the Wise Men ride through the streets of the town. Christmas carols fill the air as the royal pages (“les negres”) hand out presents to the children.

To read more about holiday traditions in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/un_viaje_a_espana_el_regalo_perfecto_para_sus_navidades.html

To learn more about New Year's Eve in Spain, visit www.spain.info/en/reportajes/nochevieja_en_espana.html

To find out more about the Three Wise Men visit www.spain.info/en/vive/fiestas/alicante/cabalgata_de_los_reyes_magos.html

Monday, December 19, 2011

Basque Gastronomy

Dear travelers,
This is a Journeyman Pictures documentary about Basque Gastronomy, located in San Sebastian, one of your stops on your Incantato Performing Tour.
It speaks about Gastronomy and traditions, especially about the "Gastronomy Clubs", but moreover it gives you a good idea of the food culture and the society usages in the Basque Country. It's one wonderful way to start opening your appetite.


 
We hope you like it, and as we say in Spain, ¡Que aproveche!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Asturias Choral Landscape


Asturias, officially called Principality of Asturias, but simply Asturias for most of us, is a little Region of Spain, situated in the North Green Coast. Asturias has w a Celtic background and more in common with Irish music than with Flamenco music. 
Just as an example, we perform our music with bagpipes, a little different than Scottish ones, but very similar. (as pictured at the left)

We share many features with most of the Cantabric Coast of Spain (all the north coast, bordered by the Europe Picks). And not only the difference in weather, typical food and traditional instruments and rhythms, but also the very artistic and communal choral heritage.

Asturias has only 1 million inhabitants (50% of which live in the 2 most populated cities). Nevertheless, we account for more than 700 groups and orchestras on the classical music scene.

Talking about Choirs, and according to the Asturias Choral Federation, nowadays there are 150 Choirs registered as such in their organization. And all of them are performing and active. Not a bad number, if you consider that this Institution started in 1974 with only 14 groups in its files. This Federation organizes each year the
"Axuntábense" prices, which value adult choirs as well as school choirs and also people and institutions who support the choral activity.

Asturias owns an Official Superior Conservatory of Music in Oviedo, as well as many Conservatories and Municipal Music Schools all around the region. Just in these official and public schools we have more than 6000 students each year. On top of them, we have a huge number of private Music Schools.


Escolanía de Covadonga is a
very important and famous School for Singers and Musicians, and is the Music and General School of the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Covadonga, Patron saint of Asturias and very venerated among the Asturias population. This School hosts some 40 students during all Primary and Secondary School, and teaches them Music and Choral Studies with professional teachers. Most students then become Music Professionals and Choir Directors or Members, raising the music level in our region.

Among the most important choirs of Asturias we present the following ones:
“Prince of Asturias Foundation Choir”: the biggest one in Asturias, and the most prestigious internationally. In the Foundation there are another 2 choirs: the Youth Choir, and the Children’s Choir. The Foundation organizes each year the “International Music School”, internationally famous, and a wonderful meeting point for musicians from all around the world.

“Camerata Revillagigedo”
: dates back to 1993, they perform 20th century repertoire which is their mark of distinction.

“El León de Oro”
: the high quality of this ensemble has been rewarded with more than 20 prices all around the world. It has been proposed for the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing, in which it regularly performs. Many of the 38 singers are Choir Directors themselves.
"Cuarteto Torner": a 4 male singer ensemble, which has recorded 19 records and has performed over 1800 times in their 30 years of history.

“Coro Capilla Polifónica Ciudad de Oviedo”
: starting in 1970, this 60 voice ensemble usually performs in the Official Season of Zarzuela (Opereta) in Oviedo. They also tour internationally as well as in Spain, and accompany Opera as well.

“Coro Ópera de Oviedo”
: as its name states, their main purpose is to perform in the important Opera season of the city of Oviedo.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

Likely recital venue: Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Notre Dame Cathedral, or Notre Dame de Paris, located in Paris, stands as the official chair of the Archdiocese of Paris. The Notre Dame Cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of French Gothis architecture in France and throughout Europe. It was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals, and its construction spanned the entire Gothic period. Its sculptures and stained glass windows show a heavy influence of naturalism, unlike that of the earlier Romanesque architecture.

The cathedral suffered extensive desecration during the radical phase of the French Revolution in the 1790s, during which much of its religious imagery was damaged or destroyed. An extensive restoration project was completed in the 19th century, returning the cathedral to its original state.

Although several organs have been installed in the cathedral throughout its existence, many were inadequate for the size and acoustical structure of the building. The current organ, installed in the 19th century, is the master work of Aristide Cavaille-Coll. This organ boasts 7,800 pipes, 900 of them classified as historical, 111 stops, five 56-key manuals, and a 32-key pedal board. A two-year restoration of the instrument was completed in 1992, making the organ completely computerized under three local area networks.
 
The Notre Dame Cathedral bell towers house five bells. The great bourdon bell, Emmanuel, is located in the south tower, weighs just over 13 tons, and tolls to mark the hours of the day and various special occasions. On the night of August 24, 1944, as the Ile de la Cite was taken by an advance column of French and Allied armored troops and elements of the Resistance, it was the tolling of the Emmanuel that alerted the city that liberation was under way.




Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and Superstock.com

Marina HS Choirs 2012 Paris and Spain Performance Tour Itinerary

Welcome to the Incantato Tour blog for the 2012 Marina HS Choirs Performance Tour to Paris and Spain! The itinerary is a work in progress, dates and details are subject to change as this journey becomes more and more your tour and to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy!


Day 1, Friday, April 6 
  • Overnight flight to Europe 
Day 2, Saturday, April 7: Bienvenue a Paris 
  • As you arrive in the evening, you will see Paris at its best on your way from the airport to your hotel. Also known as “The city of lights”, France’s capital is stunning when illuminated. 
  • Your Incantato Tour Manager will assist with the transfer, check-in and also be your host for the first French dinner.
Day 3, Sunday, April 8: Easter Sunday Celebrations & Sightseeing    
  • After a good night of sleep, start with an orientation tour of Paris‘ major attractions, then attend Easter Sunday Mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral followed by a recital opportunity for your choir. 
  • The afternoon is at leisure for exploring and an optional visit to the Louvre Museum (cost not included). 
  • Evening concert opportunity.
Day 4, Monday, April 9: Paris Exchange — Overnight train to Spain
  • Enjoy another full day in Paris starting with a cultural exchange and more time to see the sights. Your group will take a walk along the Seine and may picnic in one of the many beautiful parks. 
  • Overnight stay at the Evergreen Hotel
Day 5, Tuesday, April 10: Bienvenido a España — Scenic route via Bilbao to Oviedo 
  • Meet your new tour coach and driver, then stop in Bilbao - a buzzing city of arts and music where you must try the local specialty Pinxtos. 
    • Overnight stay in Bilbao at the Abba Parque Hotel
Day 6, Wednesday, April 11: Oviedo sightseeing, exchange and concert
  • Transfer to Oviedo
  • The churches and monuments in and around Oviedo, the ancient capital of Asturias, are a collective World Heritage site and the city is also home to the Prince of Asturias Royal Conservatory of Music. 
  • After a guided tour of the city‘s many highlights, you‘ll meet with students from the conservatory and prepare for the joint concert tomorrow.
Day 7, Thursday, April 12: Oviedo Highlight Concert   
  • Visit nearby Gijon and the famous Cova-donga Music School (recital opportunity), then return to Oviedo to prepare for your joint highlight concert at the Auditorio Principe Felipe followed by a get together with the local singers.
  • Overnight in the Husa Hotel in Oviedo
Day 8, Friday, April 13: Via beautiful Burgos to Madrid    
  • Visit the city that is home to Spain’s finest Gothic Cathedral (recital) and experience the region of Castilla-LaMancha famous for its windmills, then head to Madrid.
  • Overnight in Madrid
Day 9, Saturday, April 14: Madrid in-depth — Farewell performance and dinner    
  • Take in all the sights of Spain’s capital city, from the Royal Palace and Gran Via to the famous squares, then present a finale concert or be the featured guest choir in one of the major cathedrals followed by tapas farewell dinner.
Day 10, Sunday, April 15: Return to USA
  • Return home with memories to last a lifetime!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Culinary Impressions from Spain

Fun Facts about Madrid

  • Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. It is the third-most populous municipality in the European Union after Greater London and Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the third-most populous in the European Union after Paris and London.
  • Its sister city in the USA is New York City.
  • Madrid is home to Real Madrid, who plays in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid is one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in the world, having won a record 9 European Soccer Cups.
  • The city bid to host the 1972 Summer Olympics, the 2012 Summer Olympics, and the 2016 Summer Olympics, which were lost to Munich, London, and Rio de Janeiro respectively.
  • Madrid hosts the largest Plaza de Toros (bullring) in Spain, Las Ventas, established in 1929. Las Ventas is considered by many to be the world centre of bullfighting and has a seating capacity of almost 25,000.
  • The Auditorio Nacional de Música is the main venue for classical music concerts in Madrid, is home to the Spanish National Orchestra, the Chamartín Symphony Orchestra and the venue for the symphonic concerts of the Community of Madrid Orchestra and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra.
  • The Royal Botanic Garden or Real Jardin Botanico was an 18th century creation. It was used as a base for the plant species being collected across the globe.

Incantato Impressions: Madrid

Explore Oviedo


Oviedo was first founded in 761 by monks Maximo and Fromestanus. It is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain and is the administrative and commercial center of the region.

Oviedo annually hosts the Prince of Asturias Awards. The prestigious event, held in the city’s Campoamor Theatre, recognizes international achievement in eight categories. Past winners include Bob Dylan in the arts category and Al Gore for International Cooperation. 

Oviedo is a growing global city, and Oviedo University’s international campus attracts foreign scholars from throughout the globe. The city is recognized as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical churches and ancient capital.

Oviedo inspired the fictional city of Vetusta in Leopoldo Alas’ La Regenta. Other notable Spanish writers found inspiration in Oviedo, including Ramon Perez de Ayala in Tigre Juan and Dolores Medio in her novel Nosotros los Rivero. Oviedo was recently featured prominently in Woody Allen’s movie Vicky Christina Barcelona

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. 

Welcome to Spain!


Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Its mainland is bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea except for a small land boundary with the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar; to the north by France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay; and to the northwest and west by the Atlantic Ocean and Portugal. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, and two autonomous cities in North Africa, Ceuta and Melilla, that border Morocco.

With an area of 504,030 km², Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union after France. Since January 1, 2010, Spain has held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Because of its location, the territory of Spain was subject to many external influences, often simultaneously, since prehistoric times and through the dawn of Spain as a country. Conversely, the country itself has been an important source of influence to other regions, chiefly during the Modern Era, when it became a global empire that has left a legacy of over 400 million Spanish speakers today, making it the world's second most spoken language by native speakers. Spain is a democracy organized in the form of a parliamentary government under a constitutional monarchy.

Spain is a developed country with the ninth or tenth largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and very high living standards.

Welcome to Paris!


Paris is the capital and the largest city in France. Situated on the River Seine in Northern France, Paris boasts a population of more than two million. 


In 2010, the city was ranked among the three most influential cities in the world, among the Financial Times’ first three “European cities of the future,” and one of the world’s top ten most livable cities. Paris’ influences in business, culture, politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and art contribute to its status as one of the world’s most global cities. Paris ranks among the projected top ten wealthiest cities of the next ten years.
  
Paris reigns as the sixth largest economy in the world, hosting 38 Fortune Global 500 companies. Paris also hosts many international organizations such as UNESCO, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world. The Paris region receives approximately 45 million tourists annually, 27 million of whom are foreign visitors. This can be attributed to the region’s numerous iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as its many world-famous institutions and popular parks. 





Photos courtesy of Wikipedia