Member News & Updates
Jun 26, 2010 - First Concert with Azuoliukas Choir
Day 3 in Lithuania began with an excursion by bus to the historical/resort site of Trakai and its Trakai Island Castle. We toured the castle with the help of our English-speaking guides and enjoyed a group lunch overlooking the castle and the lakes that surround it. The afternoon was spent in rehearsal: both by ourselves and with the Azuoliukas choir.
Azuoliukas is probably the premier choral organization in Lithuania, composed of some 450 boys and men, of whom about 50 were to present a joint concert with us. The venue was St. Catherine's church, a wonderfully resonant space. The 300-400 seats were sold out, and there were another few dozen standees. Azuoliukas performed 4 pieces first, then we entered in a processional, singing “Sing dem Herrn.” We then performed our set (Pater Noster, O Bone Jesu, All That Hath Life and Breath, My Lord What a Mornin’, This Little Light of Mine, and Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel). The audience was incredibly responsive (and having our wives and family members in the front row didn't hurt).
Then the combined choruses sang a final set (Die Nacht, Shenandoah, Blagoslovi dushe moya Ghospoda, Cantate Domino). We ended with the rousing Wilhousky arrangement of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” though, in this country that has had enough of war, we changed the title (at their urging) to “Glory, Hallelujah.” The whole event was a brilliant success, a great people-to-people exchange — topped off by closing comments from the American ambassador to Lithuania, Anne E. Derse, who addressed the crowd in (what seemed to us) flawless Lithuanian and then English.
Curious as to what it sounded like? Click here to listen to the performance of “Cantate Domino,” as recorded by Mastersinger David Robinson.
The concert was followed by a reception at the beautiful and modern Applied Art Museum.