One year ago my husband and I embarked on a trip of a lifetime. The trip took us to an unexpected layover in Frankfurt, then on to Prague, Helsinki and Vienna. Singing with the Berkshire Choral International in Prague, we began learning the score of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater and later practiced with CDs, sometimes filling our house with music for hours daily.
We allowed a few extra days for sightseeing in Prague before the Berkshire week commenced with about 5 hours of singing daily. Choristers from 7 countries numbered 163. Added were apprentices, faculty and native Czech singers so our ranks swelled to more than 175. The Bohemian Symphony Orchestra accompanied us and had some 80 members. Additionally, we had 4 wonderful soloists. Maestro Heinz Ferlesch of Vienna, Austria conducted us daily.
The venue for the August 10, 2019 performance was the Zofin Palace and where Dvorak also performed his Stabat Mater. It was a stellar venue and elegant inside with chandeliers hanging from ornate ceilings. It just doesn’t get any better than this! Music forges bonds between people and countries.
The photos will speak for themselves. Music still swirls in our heads, and the memories remain forever etched in our hearts and minds.
Dr. Mary Ann Niemczura 
What an amazing experience for you. When I think of Prague and Vienna I think of music.
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Music brings people together. Both Prague and Vienna are cities rich in music. Amazing is the understatement for us. It was awesome! Once in a lifetime opportunity!
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What a wonderful experience you must have had in being part of this musical event in Prague! Music brings joy and peace to one’s heart. Great post, Mary Ann!
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Thank you for the wonderful comment, Peter! didn’t mention the numerous times I was able to speak German again including with the Maestro. My heart is overflowing with happiness. A beautiful weekend to you, Peter.
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Thank you! Best wishes! Peter
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Much appreciated, Peter. Do you happen to know if lingonberries grow in your neck of the woods in Canada? We had some juice each morning in Helsinki and fell in love with it. Hard to find anywhere though.
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I looked up the lingonberries at Wikipedia. No, I have not seen these berries in our area. While they can tolerate extreme cold, they don’t like the heat we get in the summer..
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Thanks, Peter, for doing the research. We shall try them here. Also another one we loved: sea buckthorn which was a tart juice. Both high in antioxidants. The Finnish people can pick the berries in the forests. I ordered sea buckthorn juice and a lingonberry powder on Amazon. Next best thing. Enjoy the weekend.
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Oh how wonderful, Mary Ann! ❤ The music plays on… xo
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I am still singing, Bette. It is so wonderful to have music in my life and fellow bloggers who understand the importance. May you have a blessed weekend.
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What a marvelous adventure! I could almost hear the music as I looked at your photos.
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Thank you for such an insightful comment, Anne. At the very mention of the music, the Stabat Mater swirls through my head. It was indeed marvelous!
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Lovely to hear your trip went well, and with memories of the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra memories etched in your hearts and minds. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. 🙂
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Sweet musical memories remain of singing in Prague with the Berkshire Choral International and the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra. Thank you for the lovely comment. Enjoy the weekend!
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Wow, Stabat Mater is a favourite of mine – amazing music!
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Thank you and so glad to hear that. Maestro Heinz Ferlesch said the text was important and helped us interpret our singing to the text. Have you also sung the Stabat Mater? Dvorak had lost 3 of his children at young ages which is why he chose to compose this piece of music. Amazing and moving!
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No, sadly my singing is only good for repelling invaders. I’ve only heard it on CD.
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Such a sense of humor you have, Mick! I listened to several versions of the Stabat Mater on CDs and used passive learning to initially learn the piece. Thank you for the laugh and comment today.
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I am so pleased your tour was such a success! The photographs are wonderful! It is always quite sad when an experience like this comes to an end.
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So true, about being sad when it ends, Clare. However it does whet the appetite for yet another experience. We will never sing with this group of musicians again. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but music remains a focal point in our lives. We’re glad we did this. Thank you for the insightful comment. Enjoy your Sunday and week ahead.
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Thank you, Mary Ann – and you too!
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My pleasure. ^^__^^
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It sounds like you had a wonderful time, I’m happy for you. Very nice photos! Who took the last one? The view is marvelous.
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It was indeed wonderful. My guess is the last one is from the Berkshire Choral International folks. I barely have any of the full group because we were singing most of the time. Prague is a beautiful city. Thanks for the lovely comment.
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I did see this post and NOW I have spoken to you I feel I can comment and say that the post and now brings a lump tp my throat. So beautiful. The thought of singing Dvorak where it was once performed just gets me. Plus Prague is such a lovely city.
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Thanks for the comment. It was a big anniversary year for Dvorak. We performed in the same palace he did with his piece of music. The acoustics were marvelous. We needed no microphones. Prague is a lovely city indeed and rich in history. oxox
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Reblogged this on Dr. Mary Ann Niemczura and commented:
Fond music memories from Prague. Maestro Heinz Ferlesch conducted Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in the Zofin Palace with the Berkshire Choral International.
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Hard to believe it was three years ago. I must have blinked!
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