Report from Roger

(Roger called from Padua, Italy, at 7:20 a.m., July 4, which is 10:20 p.m. PST, July 3)

July 3 was our day in Padua. What a beautiful city! Our day started with a meeting with the cultural minister of the region. We met in a huge meeting hall where he welcomed us to Padua and expressed his appreciation for our coming to share our music with them. We gave him a book of the history of Claremont, and he gave us a lovely book of the history of Padua, and then the orchestra members got the opportunity to ask questions and the cultural minister was very gracious.

After the meeting, we went on to Verona where we saw the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Then we went to an arena an ancient Roman theater where they were getting ready to put on the opera "Aida," opera being a summer specialty of Verona.

After lunch, we returned to Padua where we got to rehearse a bit in the church in preparation of the concert.

For dinner we had the best pizza in the world. The concert was attended by about 400 enthusiastic concert-goers. The concert went very well. The orchestra gave a very fine concert. The Vivaldi soloists had another perfect performance and each received flowers and a book of art of the area. In addition the presented us with a plaque.

After the concert, we went into the big square for "gelato." It was so tasty on a warm Italian evening. While waiting in line for the "gelato," the orchestra members realized that it was after midnight and that it was July 4. So they broke in the a spontaneous and spirited rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner." The chaperones stood by and watched in amazement at the 100 beautiful voices.

Today (July 4) we are departing at 7:45 a.m. for Venice, but to get there we will take our buses to a train which will take us to a boat to cross over in to Venice where we will go up and down the canals in "vaporettos."

Everyone is well and having a GREAT time.

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