Sardinia Day 3 - Workshop and Concert

A new sunny day begins, starting like yesterday with a delicious breakfast and a subsequent choir rehearsal.

With concert clothing packed, we headed to the city of Nuoro, about 30 km away. At the local music school, we were introduced to two contacts, Franca Floris and Andrea Ivaldi. We will also meet the latter in Sassari. The long-standing acquaintance with Giovanni Bergamasco was the starting point for planning today's activities.

With warm temperatures of 26 degrees and a clear blue sky, we walked to the city center to individually search for lunch.

Nuoro is located at the foot of Monte Ortobene on a plateau, and the historic center is characterized by narrow alleys paved with pebbles. The city became known throughout Europe in the 19th century due to the writers and artists living there. For example, it is the birthplace and setting of the novels by the most famous Sardinian author and Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Grazia Deledda.

At 3:30 pm, the two-hour workshop began with 4 other local choirs under the direction of Thomas. Together, we rehearsed the first movement of Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater, Earth Song by Michael Jackson, Locus Iste, and Va pensiero from Nabucco. Of course, Kwangena Thina bo from South Africa, including choreography, could not be missing.

Some of us used the following break to dance together with the other male and female singers until the second concert of our trip started at 8 pm in the auditorium of the music school. First, the Sardinian choirs performed individually and sang a piece. As international guests, we performed sacred songs and modern pop songs for about half an hour before all the choirs performed the previously rehearsed pieces together. Then, we enjoyed some finger food before taking the buses back to the hotel - thus another long and exhausting day comes to an end. Overnight, we will try to recharge enough energy for tomorrow's short hike!