European Summer Music Festivals Salzburg, Schwarzenberg and Lucerne August 21 September 1, 2016 Tour leader: Robert Gay
European Summer Music Festivals Salzburg, Schwarzenberg and Lucerne Overview After the success of this tour in 2012, we are pleased once again to offer a summer journey through Austria and Switzerland offering performances of the highest calibre. The itinerary includes 10 performances at three of Europe s most renowned summer music festivals. Two are well known the celebrated Salzburg Festival and the prestigious Lucerne Festival. In between, we have several days at the delightful, small scale Schwarzenberg Schubertiade in the Austrian Alps. Tour participants will attend outstanding performances of orchestral and chamber music and opera, all the while enjoying magnificent Alpine scenery. The tour begins in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and, since 1920, the site of a superb summer music festival. Here we will see two operas and an orchestral concert. Performances 10 performances of orchestral and chamber music, vocal and instrumental recitals and opera are included. In Salzburg Two operas: Mozart s The Marriage of Figaro and Gounod s Faust, at the Salzburg Summer Festival Mahler Symphony No.9 by the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra In Schwarzenberg Tenor Ian Bostridge singing Lieder by Schubert Pianist Igor Levit playing Beethoven s last three piano sonatas, Opus 109, Opus 110 and Opus 111 Violinist Isabelle Faust performing Schubert s Piano Trio D929 and other works Baritone Gerald Finley singing Lieder by Schubert In Lucerne Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Gatti, Von Weber, Schuman and Bruckner Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, Boulez and Mahler Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, Dvořák and Brahms We then travel through the Austrian Alps to the town of Dornbirn, located not far from Lake Constance. In the nearby village of Schwarzenberg we will attend four concerts over three days. The varied program features music by Schubert, Beethoven, Schumann and Haydn. The impressive line-up of performers includes tenor Ian Bostridge, pianist Igor Levit, violinist Isabelle Faust and baritone Gerald Finley. Our final stop is the Swiss city of Lucerne, where for the last 74 years leading orchestras and instrumentalists have gathered for the annual summer festival, without doubt one of the world s finest music festivals. Over a three-night stay, we will hear three splendid concerts one by Amsterdam s renowned Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by its incoming chief conductor Daniele Gatti, and two by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under its outgoing musical director Sir Simon Rattle. The performances are complemented by a carefully balanced touring program, with several excursions to alpine lakes, mountains and small villages. There are also walking tours of the cities in which we stay as well as visits to cultural sites, many with an emphasis on musical heritage. Included in the tour is a series of pre-performance talks designed to help you get the most from each of the events you attend. Your Tour Leader For over 25 years, Robert Gay has presented music history courses at the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sydney. Over the same period, he has designed and escorted more than 80 cultural tours to Europe and America. His enthusiasm is infectious and his knowledge of music history vast.
Tour Price The tour price is $9,550 per person, twin share (land content only). The supplement for a single room is $1,700 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a place on the tour. Included in the tour price All accommodation in selected 4-star hotels All breakfasts, plus seven lunches in hotels and local restaurants Land travel by air-conditioned coach Background notes on the cities visited Best available tickets to 10 included performances Pre- and post-performance talks Services of your tour leader throughout the tour All entrance fees to sites mentioned in itinerary Qualified local guides as indicated in itinerary Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at all hotels Not included International airfares (competitive quotes available) Travel insurance Meals and activities not stated as included in this itinerary Personal expenses such as laundry and taxis Air travel OPTIONS The tour price quoted is for land content only. Please contact us for further information on competitive Economy, Business or First Class airfares for this tour. Airport transfers There will be one dedicated transfer at a set time from Munich to Salzburg at the beginning of the tour, and another from Lucerne to Zurich at the end of the tour. The transfers will be timed to coincide with the flight schedules of the majority of the group. This transfer is included for passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. Please contact Hannah Kleboe for further details regarding transfers. Enquiries and bookings For further information or to secure a place on this tour please contact Hannah Kleboe at Academy Travel, on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email hannah@academytravel.com.au Images right: Sir Simon Rattle, chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra; the splendid Kaisergebirge mountain range; the impressive young pianist, Igor Levit; and the striking exterior of the KKL in Lucerne
European Summer Music Festivals Salzburg, Schwarzenberg and Lucerne Detailed Itinerary All breakfasts included. Included lunches and dinners are indicated by the letters (L) and (D) plus canapés (C). Begin the tour relaxed In order to get the most from touring and from concerts, we strongly suggest that you spend a few days in Munich or another European city before the tour commences. (Note that the group arrival transfer is from Munich airport.) We invite you to contact us to arrange extra accommodation. Sunday 21 AUGUST Arrival There will be a single coach transfer from Munich Airport to Salzburg, our base for the first five nights of the tour. This transfer will be timed to coincide with the arrival time of the majority of the group, and is likely to be in the early afternoon. In the early evening your tour leader Robert Gay will host welcome drinks and canapés in the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Crowne Plaza The Pitter, Salzburg (C) Monday 22 AUGUST Performance I Salzburg orientation This morning we begin with an introductory talk on this evening s performance, followed by a guided walking tour of the old city including sites associated with Mozart, Salzburg s most famous son. We then share a welcome lunch in a Salzburg restaurant. The later afternoon is at leisure before our first performance of the tour. Overnight Salzburg (B, L) Venue: Haus fϋr Mozart Program: Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro Performers: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Dan Ettinger (conductor), Luca Pisaroni (Conte Almaviva), Anett Fritsch (Contessa Almaviva), Martina Janková (Susanna), Adam Plachetka (Figaro) Tuesday 23 AUGUST Performance II Königsee The first of our scenic excursions from Salzburg takes us into nearby Germany to visit the Königsee Lake, located within the Berchtesgarden National Park, which borders on Austria and Germany. We take a boat along the lake to the baroque onion-domed church of Sankt Bartholomä, a pilgrimage site since the 12th century. After a stroll around the site and a light lunch we return to Salzburg in the early afternoon. Overnight Salzburg (B, L) Venue: Grosses Festspielhaus Images left: Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg (photo by Andreas Stiasny); the spa town of Bad Ischl; and Mirabell Garden in Salzburg
Program: Gounod, Faust Performers: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Alejo Perex (conductor), Piotr Beczala (Faust), Ildar Abdrazakov (Méphistophélès), Maria Agresta (Marguerite) Wednesday 24 AUGUST Performance IIi At leisure After a pre-performance talk on this evening s concert, the remainder of the day is free to relax and explore Salzburg. Tonight we attend the third of our scheduled performances at the Festival. Overnight Salzburg (B) Venue: Felsenreitschule Program: Mahler Symphony No.9 Performers: Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, Philippe Jordan (conductor) Thursday 25 August The Salzkammergut We spend the day in the Salzkammergut, a scenic region of mountains, lakes and forests about an hour s drive from Salzburg. We visit the pretty lakeside villages of St Gilgen and St Wolfgang, travelling by boat between the two. After lunch at St Wolfgang our coach takes us on to the spa town of Bad Ischl, where we take a coffee break at Cafe Zauner, founded in 1832 and still serving superb cakes and pastries. We return to Salzburg in the late afternoon in time to prepare for this evening s performance. Overnight Salzburg (B, L) Above: the baroque onion-domed church of Sankt Bartholomä on Königsee lake Below: Angelika Kauffmann Hall at Schwarzenberg and English tenor Ian Bostridge, who features in our first concert here Friday 26 August Performance iv To Dornbirn We depart Salzburg this morning, driving firstly alongside the splendid Kaisergebirge mountain range to Innsbruck. Here we stop for lunch in the elegant city centre before proceeding to Dornbirn, our base for the Schwarzenberg Schubertiade. Along the way, Robert will talk about the founding of the Schubertiade and our program of concerts there. This evening we drive to Schwarzenberg for our first concert which features English tenor Ian Bostridge and pianist Julius Drake presenting a program of songs by Schubert. Overnight at the Martinspark Hotel, Dornbirn (B, L) Venue: Angelika-Kaufmann-Saal Program: Schubert, selected Lieder Performers: Ian Bostridge (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) Saturday 27 August Performance V Lindau Today we enjoy an excursion by boat from nearby Bregenz to the tiny island of Lindau on Lake Constance. Bregenz is known to opera lovers for its summer lakeside opera festival with performances on a stage constructed in the lake. On Lindau, there will be time to explore the charming old town before we return to Dornbirn by coach. This evening we
European Summer Music Festivals Salzburg, Schwarzenberg and Lucerne drive to Schwarzenberg for our second concert there. The impressive young pianist, Igor Levit, performs Beethoven s final three piano sonatas, which surely rank among the greatest pieces written for the instrument. Overnight Dornbirn (B) Venue: Angelika-Kaufmann-Saal Program: Beethoven, Piano Sonatas No.30 in E, Op.109, No.31 in A-flat, Op.110, No.32 in C minor, Op 111 Performer: Igor Levit (piano) Sunday 28 AUGUST - Performances VI & VII SCHWARZENBERG This morning, after a talk on today s performances, we head to Schwarzenberg for a late-morning chamber concert, which includes Schubert s great E-flat piano trio. Performers include popular violinist Isabelle Faust, who recently toured Australia. After lunch in Schwarzenberg, we return to Dornbirn to relax before returning for the evening concert a recital by the fine Canadian baritone Gerald Finley. Overnight Dornbirn (B, L) Performance VI details Venue: Angelika-Kaufmann-Saal Program: Haydn, Piano Trio in D, Hob. XV:24; Schumann, Piano Trio in G minor; Schubert, Piano Trio in E-flat, D929 Performers: Isabelle Faust (violin), Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello), Alexander Melnikov (piano) Above: popular violinist Isabelle Faust and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne Below: Daniele Gatti leads the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Performance VII details Venue: Angelika-Kaufmann-Saal Program: Schubert, selected Lieder Performer: Gerald Finley (baritone), Julius Drake (piano) Monday 29 August Performance VIII To Lucerne The final leg of our journey takes us into Switzerland and to the provincial city of Lucerne. Founded in 1938, the annual summer festival here is one of Europe s most prestigious. Each year, several of the world s finest orchestras perform at the Festival, and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra was founded by the late Claudio Abbado. Today we travel via the Swiss lakeside town of Seelisberg, where we stop for lunch. There will be time to rest before our performance this evening which features one of the world s leading orchestras. Overnight at the Ameron Hotel Flora, Lucerne (B, L) Venue: KKL Concert Hall Program: Weber Overture to Oberon, Schumann Cello Concerto, Bruckner Symphony No.4 Performers: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Daniele Gatti (conductor), Sol Gabetta (cello)
Tuesday 30 August Performance IX Explore Lucerne After a pre-performance talk in our hotel, a local guide explains the history, culture and architecture of Lucerne on a walking tour, finishing around lunchtime. The afternoon is free. This evening s performance is the first of two by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, led by their outgoing musical director Sir Simon Rattle. Overnight Lucerne (B) Venue: KKL Concert Hall Program: Boulez Ēclat and Mahler Symphony No.7 Performers: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor) Wednesday 31 August Performance X Wagner s villa After our final pre-performance talk, we visit Wagner s villa at Tribschen on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Richard and Cosima Wagner lived here from 1866 to 1872, and it was in the villa that Wagner composed The Mastersingers of Nuremberg. After our visit, we enjoy a farewell lunch at the Zunfthaus Pfistern restaurant on the waterfront in Lucerne. This evening we attend our final concert for the tour. Overnight Lucerne (B, L) Venue: KKL Concert Hall Program: New work, Dvořák Slavonic Dances, Brahms Symphony No.2 Performers: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle (conductor) Thursday 1 September DEPARTURE Late morning coach transfer to Zurich Airport for flights back to Australia and other destinations. (B) Images right: the KKL concert hall in Lucerne and the Old City of Lucerne, where our hotel is located
European Summer Music Festivals Salzburg, Schwarzenberg and Lucerne Hotels SALZBURG, Hotel CROWNE PLAZA The Pitter (5 NIGHTS) We have selected this hotel for its excellent location, across the river from the old town and within walking distance of the Grosses Festspielhaus. The 4-star hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms, a garden and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel is looking a little tired and in need of renovation, but is serviceable and convenient. www.crowneplaza.com DORNBIRN, MARTINSPARK HOTEL (3 NIGHTS) Dornbirn is a 20-minute drive from the village of Schwarzenberg where the Schubertiade takes place. This practical, modern 4-star hotel is located only a few minutes walk from Dornbirn s historic town centre. www.martinspark.at Above: rooms at the Hotel Crowne Plaza The Pitter, Salzburg, and the Martinspark Hotel, Dornbirn Below: the friendly brasserie at the Hotel Flora, Lucerne Below: a room at the Hotel Flora, Lucerne LUCERNE, Ameron Hotel Flora (3 NIGHTS) The Hotel Flora is a 4-star hotel located in the city centre, close to the lake and within walking distance of both the KKL concert hall and the historic district. The hotel has free wifi, a restaurant and good facilities. We have reserved deluxe level rooms. www.ameronhotels.com/de/hotel-flora-luzern Weather on tour The weather in late August and early September in Austria and Switzerland is likely to be warm, with average daily temperatures around 28 degrees, cooling to about 14 degrees in the evenings. Please note we have chosen hotels with air-conditioned rooms. As it can be cooler in the evenings especially at Schwarzenberg in the mountains we suggest you pack a light jacket and scarf for when we return late night from concerts. Also remember to pack a folding umbrella or raincoat just in case! Additional travel and stopovers We are more than happy to arrange additional travel either before or after the tour dates. Stopovers on the outbound or return flight are also possible for those wishing to break their journey. Please contact Hannah Kleboe on (02) 9235 0023 to discuss your requirements.
Physical Requirements of THIS tour Physical rating It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel s tours tend to feature extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater fitness than coach touring. We ask you to consider carefully your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. Participation criteria for this tour This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of physical activity per day on most days, including longer walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or several internal flights. You should be able to: keep up with the group at all times walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only short breaks stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and museums tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold, humidity and heat walk up and down slopes negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites, which are often uneven and unstable get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or boat unassisted, possibly with luggage move your luggage a short distance if required Above: looking over the Swiss lakeside town of Seelisberg Below: the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, led by their outgoing musical director Sir Simon Rattle; and Wagner s villa at Tribschen on the shores of Lake Lucerne A note for older travellers If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition.
About Academy Travel Each year Academy Travel organises around 50 journeys to Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas, each focusing on a distinctive historical, artistic or cultural theme. The aim of every Academy Travel journey is to combine the pleasures of independent travel with the benefits and shared enjoyment of a group. Academy Travel is an Australian-owned travel company, founded in 2004. The company s staff includes both academic experts and travel professionals with over two decades industry experience. We also have our own office in Rome which organises our tours in Western Europe. This means we have direct control over the selection of hotels, restaurants, coaches and local guides, guaranteeing superior quality. Carefully planned itineraries All itineraries feature a carefully thought out balance of walking tours, gallery and museum visits, scenic excursions, dining and performances. Like-minded groups Share your journey with fellow travellers who are in tune with your way of seeing the world. A maximum of 20 participants not too small and not too large creates a convivial atmosphere. Long stays Perhaps the most appealing feature of our program. No whistlestop tours, no 7.00am departures, day after day. In most destinations we enjoy three or four nights to really get to know the place. Special experiences A private viewing of the Sistine Chapel or the Museum of Modern Art in New York? Tickets to a sold-out performance of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra? Many of our tours feature top-flight events not usually offered on group tours. Expert tour leaders Our tour leaders combine academic expertise with a genuine passion for the places you visit. Under their expert guidance you see rather than just look, hear rather than just listen and understand rather than just observe. Your travel experience is transformed. In-depth information With extensive printed tour materials, including detailed tour notes, destination guides, and daily programs, you ll build up a coherent understanding of the country you re visiting, not just a fragmented set of facts. These materials are also available in electronic format. academy travel tailored small group Journeys academytravel.com.au
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