Barcelona
The choir travelled to Barcelona to participate in the 7th Costa Barcelona Music Festival in May 2018. Forty plus members travelled to Calella just north of Barcelona, where the festival was taking place, led by Chairman Enda McGovern and “super tour organiser” Jack Stephenson. The Festival brought together choirs and orchestras from eleven countries.
Calella is a popular EU Blue Flag seaside resort on the Costa del Maresme with a population of 18,300. As with our own “Trá Mhor” Calella boasts a beautiful “Playa Grand” and a beachside promenade lined with cafes, bars and restaurants. The main square is dominated by the 16th century church of Saint Mary & Saint Nicholas.
Our programme in Spain included two coach tours – one full day to the Catalan capital of Barcelona also taking in a visit to the ancient monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat. The second tour of half day duration took us to the walled city of Girona located on the river L’Onyar an hour north of Calella. We were accompanied on both tours by an official guide.
Barcelona is a fabulous city with many attractions including the City Centre Square “Plaza Catalunya”, Gaudi’s famous Cathedral “Sagrada Familia”, the old fishing port of “Port Vell” and a must for all sports fans Camp Nou home to FC Barcelona. (We did get our team together for a challenge match but unfortunately they were unable to fulfill the fixture- Messi wasn’t available). One of the most beautiful concert halls in the world “Palau de la Musica” which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in 1905 with a seating capacity of 2200 is also a must see. It attracts over half a million music lovers each year.
One of the most beautiful places we have ever visited is Montserrat and the 10th century mountainside Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria. This is home to the world renowned Montserrat Boys Choir and we were very fortunate to be there for one of their recitals. Montserrat is also famous for the 9th century Apparitions of the Black Madonna. From the Cathedral plaza there are magnificent views of the Catalan countryside.
For our second tour we travelled inland to Girona, it’s known for its medieval architecture. The historic Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary built in the 13th century has the widest aisle less nave in the world. We took the opportunity to give an informal recital to those congregated in the cafes on the steps of the famed cathedral which was very well received by tourists and locals alike.
Between tours we just about made time for the main purpose of our visit to Cataluña - to perform in the 7th Costa Barcelona Music Festival. As happens on these occasions we do our best to promote international relations on behalf of Ireland and the Déise and sometimes this goes on in the form of song, singing late into the night with our international friends, on this occasion with our Swedish friends who have since visited Waterford. Unfortunately, much to our poor Musical Director’s despair the following morning’s rehearsal does not go very well. However, after much rest, copious gallons of water and many throat lozenges we are perfectly suited up and prepared to assemble at “Placa de l’Ajuntament” for the festival parade and give of our best in the concert at the”Sala Mozart”. Our performances pieces while in Calella were:
Anthem from Chess
Come the Sails
Down by the Sally Gardens
Geanntraí
Mo Ghile Mear
Our Father
Saints Go Marching In
Siyahamba
That Which Remains
The Lord is My Shepherd
We departed Calella on Sunday transferring to Barcelona Airport for our return flight to Dublin and onward journey home to Waterford having had a wonderful five days with our Spanish hosts and international friends.
- words, Pat O’Reilly
