Mozart, markets & a pinch of salt
Perform Missa Brevis K192
So, let me tell me about what’s in store for this mega Singing Holidays event in Salzburg. We’ll (you’ll) be performing Mozart’s brilliant Missa Brevis K192 with orchestra and soloists from the Mozarteum, and the sensational Robert Dean will be conducting and teaching you.
Robert is not only one of the most highly regarded conductors and singing teachers in the UK, but he’s also a thoroughly lovely human being. So if you’re thinking, ‘I couldn’t possibly sing in such a high-profile performance’, think again.
Robert is a master when it comes to bringing out the very best in us all as individuals and as a choir. If you’re pinned to the shower curtain of uncertainty, then Robert’s the man to prise you away from your solitary performance and get you fully ‘concert ready’.
Not only will you be performing the Missa Brevis in a lovely venue, but you’ll also be singing some very appropriate Christmas carols (in an equally special location).
Christmas magic in Hallein and Salzburg
You’ll be staying in the beautiful small town of Hallein, the birthplace of Franz Xaver Gruber, best known for penning (or quilling, in his case) Stille Nacht (Silent Night).
We’ll be eating in thoroughly researched (handpicked and tested) choice restaurants and sucking up the spirit of Christmas in a way that only Austria can deliver.
An extra dollop of cream on an already mouth-watering Salzburger Nockerl will be the Christmas markets. They’ll already be in full swing with a charming, small market right on the doorstep in Hallein and a bigger one in Salzburg just 20 minutes away. With their hand-crafted artisan products, and the smells and tastes of Glühwein, Jagatee, Bratlfettbrot, and succulent Bosna, your festive experience will be, quite literally, spiced up. Think Christmas is for kids? If you love music, singing and food, think again in Salzburg.
More than just a holiday
This promises to be more than just a holiday. It’s an opportunity to be immersed in the Salzburg music scene, not only through the music of composers such as Mozart and Gruber but also through the invaluable connection with the hugely talented artists and musicians who live, study and work in Salzburg itself.
All images courtesy of The Salt Townhouse, Hallein.
A pinch of salt
Challenge Anneka
‘Right, I’m off’, I said to Témi as I flew out the door on my way to the train station. I always think I’m going to be late and then arrive 20 minutes early wherever I go. Unless I’m with Témi, then we’re just late and apologising. I’d never get away with her lateness, but somehow she just smiles her way out of it.
I sometimes think the world could do away with a nuclear deterrent and just rely on a smiling Témi to disarm any aggressor. She’s got a gift. It’s very frustrating!
I’ve spent years of my life just waiting at the front door while the minutes ticked past the hour of “We’re never going to make it.” to the sound of “Where are my keys?”, “Have you seen my phone?” and the classic “What have you done with my glasses?”.
I know the smile will get us out of trouble when we finally arrive at our destination, but given a choice, I think I’d rather stick with the nuclear option.
Anyhoo, before mass extinction kicked off or before Témi was required to save the planet, I’d made it to the train, having previously (in my spare time) nipped into the station bar for one of Luca’s obligatory cappuccinos. I was on my way to Salzburg via Vienna and then on to London.
This was a clockwork trip that required punctuality. I was using trains, planes and automobiles. It was like an episode of ‘Challenge Anneka‘ except without the onesie jumpsuit… and the helicopter. This was my chance to be on time (or rather 20 minutes early) without deploying the nuclear deterrent.
Of course, most of the trip was in Austria, the home of punctuality, so everything ran like…well, like clockwork. All of a sudden, I was crossing the Salzach and walking straight towards the reason for my whirlwind trip.
Very Felty
Looking for the perfect Singing Holidays place to stay is the most challenging part of any recce. Finding something that’s just right: the perfect size, lovely people in charge, no carpets (hate carpets in hotels…maybe I just hate carpet!), great shower, lovely breakfast, fantastic position…Let me tell you, these carpetless idylls are few and far between. When you find one, you feel like ripping off your Anneka onesie and running through the streets onesie-less. Don’t worry, I don’t actually do that. Témi stops me.
I arrived at ‘The Salt’ townhouse, an appropriate name considering its location near the Salzach, full of anticipation. The Salt looked ideal on the web, but experience had taught me to lower my expectations. Always better to do these trips fully expecting to walk away disappointed.
I had a meeting with the very lovely Alrike at 10.00 but having arrived early, 20 minutes early in fact, I took the opportunity to eat in the Salt’s uber trendy and cosy café. ‘Well’, I said to myself, ‘this is all looking rather good’.
I was handed a delicious coffee and a strange but extremely tasty Austrian-style croissant. The caff was all wood and felt. Austria often feels to me like a scene from the Truman Show, and this place was no exception. It’s all so perfect and very, very…felty.
I left my morning brekkie to go and meet Alrike and her lovely team of friendly ladies. As they showed me around The Salt, I was already undoing my onesie. ‘This is it!’ I thought to myself. The rooms were perfect. Oak flooring, natural everything and yes, felt everywhere. This was glorious. I was mentally popping Champagne corks and clinking glasses with the ladies. I’d come over all Bucks Fizz meets Newton-John and had fired up an internal rendition of ‘Making your mind up’ to the tune of ‘You’re the onesie I want’.
Alrike looked at me, all smiles. ‘Alles gut?’ she enquired. I quickly reinstated my best poker face. ‘Ja, ja, super, danke’. I’d fooled no one. I’d been caught with my onesie down, but I didn’t care. I’d found the best pad with the loveliest people.
As I left The Salt, I had a warm fuzzy feeling of joy mixed with relief. ‘That couldn’t have gone any better’, I thought to myself. I checked my watch. The sun was shining, and I was 20 minutes early for the bus to Salzburg. What a perfect day!
