FROM THE ALPS TO THE RHINE MUSIC IN BAVARIA, ALSACE AND SWITZERLAND APRIL 15 – MAY 1, 2017 TOUR LEADER: ROBERT GAY

Bamberg, northern Bavaria

Overview Continuing our tradition of performances of opera and orchestral music of the highest calibre, Academy Travel is proud to present this new 17-day program. The itinerary is built around nine performances at opera houses and concert halls in Germany, France and Switzerland. This year there is a particular focus on opera, with eight performances spanning the 18th to the 20th centuries. Familiar repertoire by Verdi, Wagner and Puccini is complemented by the opportunity to see fine works which are rarely performed in Australia, including operas by Massenet, Debussy and Stravinsky. As well as the operas, there is a concert by the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra featuring piano virtuoso Lang Lang. A sightseeing program has been created around these performances, including travel through the glorious countryside of the Alps and the Rhine, picturesque and historic towns of Bavaria and the fine food and wine in Alsace and Franconia. The sightseeing program has a strong musical component, including a full day in Wagner’s Bayreuth and other places of significance in European music. Accommodation is in four-star hotels, conveniently located for performances. Fine music, great performers, historic venues and the many charms of the regions around the Alps and the Rhine – this is a tour not to be missed!

Your tour leader For over 25 years, Robert Gay has presented music history courses for the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Sydney. Over the same period he has designed and escorted more than 70 musical and cultural tours to Europe and America.

On tour Robert will provide a thorough preparation to the performances you see, with detailed pre-

performance talks and post-performance reviews. Robert’s approach to music is multi-faceted. First and foremost, he links the music to the biographical, historical and social context in which it was created. Secondly, he explains in plain language technical aspects of the music – how the composer communicates through sound. Finally, as a trained singer who attends dozens of performances each year, he offers great insight into the qualities of the performances you see on tour. Robert’s enthusiasm for music is infectious, and his skills as an educator and tour leader are exceptional. Since 2010, he has led tours exclusively for Academy Travel. “There is no doubt that it was Robert Gay’s leadership that made the trip such a memorable experience. He was brilliant in every way. His encyclopaedic knowledge of music and generosity in sharing it, plus his understanding and insight into works of art, added immeasurably to everything we did. His meticulous planning and careful attention to detail made the logistics very easy for us all. His warmth, superb communication skills, sense of humour, patience and sensitivity to group dynamics all made the trip a delight from beginning to end.” Feedback from Academy Travel’s Switzerland to Spain: a musical adventure, April 2015

From the Alps to the Rhine Music in Bavaria, Alsace and Switzerland

Tour dates: April 15 – May 1, 2017

Tour leader: Robert Gay

Tour Price: $9,750 per person, twin share

Single Supplement: $1,800 for sole use of double room

Booking deposit: $500 per person

Recommended airline: Singapore Airlines

Maximum places: 20

Itinerary: Munich (4 nights), Bamberg (2 nights), Frankfurt (3 nights), Strasbourg (3 nights), Zurich (4 nights)

Date published: May 31, 2016

Enquiries and bookings

For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Erin Laffin at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email erin@academytravel.com.au

La Calisto – a baroque gem

The opening night of a new production of Francesco Cavalli’s 1651 opera La Calisto is one of the musical highlights of this tour. La Calisto is one of the first complete operas to come down to us, and it has a fine pedigree. Spare a thought for Callisto*. She begins life as a nymph, the most beautiful of Diana’s followers. After being impregnated in what she thought was a same-sex encounter with Diana, she is turned into a bear by her seducer’s jealous wife. Years later her son, a product of the earlier dalliance, attempts to kill her while hunting in the forest. In order to put an end to the whole sorry story, the jealous wife flings mother and son to the heavens, where they remain as the constellations of the Big Bear and the Little Bear. The myth of Callisto and her seduction by Jupiter, in the guise of Diana, has been the subject of numerous artistic interpretations. There are several versions of the story in both Greek and Latin. Because of the transmogrification of Jupiter into Diana for the purposes of seduction, the myth also found its way into Ovid’s classic of Roman literature, The Metamorphoses. Since the Renaissance Ovid’s work has been the source for a great number of paintings, sculptures, poems and stage works. (Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, Bernini’s Apollo and Daphne, Handel’s Acis and Galatea and Richard Strauss’ opera Daphne among them.) The Italian master Titian painted a series of large canvasses based on Ovid for Phillip II of Spain and it is probably this series that inspired Cavalli. Both Titian and Cavalli lived and worked in Venice, though in different periods. La Calisto had its premiere in Venice’s Teatro Sant’Apollinare in November 1651 and ran for only 11 performances, with an initial audience of perhaps just 1,200. Miraculously, the entire manuscript score was preserved in the Library of St Mark’s, allowing authentic performances of the opera in the modern age. British musicologist and conductor Sir Raymond Leppard revived the work for Glyndebourne Opera in 1970, with legendary mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker in the title role. Since then it is performed regularly around the world, particularly by baroque music specialists. * Most versions of the myth spell the nymph’s name Callisto, from the Greek Καλλιστώ, meaning ‘most beautiful’.

Rubens’ highly sensual depiction of the seduction of Callisto by Jupiter, in the guise of Diana, painted about 40 years before Cavalli’s opera.

Performances The tour itinerary is designed around nine performances, with eight operas and a concert by the Tonhalle Orchestra. In Munich Donizetti’s rarely performed Roberto Devereux at

the Bavarian State Opera Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at the Bavarian State

Opera In Frankfurt Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress at the Oper

Frankfurt Verdi’s Rigoletto at the Oper Frankfurt Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande at the Oper

Frankfurt In Strasbourg Cavalli’s La Calisto at the Opéra National du Rhin

(picture right) In Zurich A concert by the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra with

the renowned pianist Lang Lang Puccini’s La Bohéme at the Zurich Opera House Massenet’s Werther at the Zurich Opera House,

starring Juan Diego Florez (picture above right)

Please note that at the time of publishing this itinerary the Tonhalle/Lang Lang tickets are yet to be confirmed.

Detailed itinerary Included meals are shown with the letters B, L and D.

Saturday April 15 Arrive Munich

Meet your tour leader, Robert Gay, at the hotel for a light dinner in our hotel. Overnight Hotel Torbrau, Munich (D)

Sunday April 16 THE ALPS – performance I

Our alpine excursion takes us south of Munich. We take a cog railway to Eibsee, an alpine lake surrounded by pristine forest. From here, a cable car takes us to a lookout at 2962m, and then it’s another cable car down to the resort town of Garmish-Partkirchen, where composer Richard Strauss lived for many years. We enjoy a welcome lunch here before returning to Munich mid afternoon. This evening we see Donizetti’s rarely performed Roberto Devereux, the least known of his Tudor trilogy. Overnight Munich (B, L)

Performance details Venue: Bavarian State Opera Program: Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux Performers: Edita Gruberova (Elisabetta), Franco Vassallo (Herzog von Nottingham), Sonia Ganassi (Sara), Alexey Dolgov (Robert Devereux)

Monday April 17 BAVARIAN PALACES – performance II

After a talk on tonight’s opera, we head to Schloss Nymphenburg, one of Europe’s most beautiful palaces, built for Electress Henriette-Adelaide in the late 17th century. This evening we return to the National Theatre for Wagner’s medieval romance, Tristan und Isolde, with leading Wagnerians Stephen Gould and Christiane Libor in the lead roles. Overnight Munich (B)

Performance details Venue: Bavarian State Opera Program: Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde Performers: Stephen Gould (Tristan), Christiane Libor (Isolde), René Pape (König Marke)

Tuesday April 18 Neuschwanstein

Today we visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, an extraordinary building commissioned by one of Wagner’s biggest fans, Prince Ludwig II of Bavaria. The extravagant interior decorations were inspired by Wagner’s operas Tannhäuser and Lohengrin. Overnight Munich (B)

Wednesday April 19 Nuremberg

Departing Munich we travel to Bamberg, stopping at Nuremberg, whose well-preserved medieval centre was the

Begin the tour relaxed

In order to enjoy performances and get the most from your sightseeing we recommend that you plan to arrive in Europe at least a few days before the tour commences. Please contact us for pre-tour travel and accommodation.

Above: the stunning alpine scenery of Eibsee, Bavaria Below: the diva Edita Gruberova as Elizabeth I in the Munich production of Roberto Devereux

setting for Wagner’s Mastersingers of Nuremberg. We meet tonight for dinner at a local restaurant. Bamberg is an attractive town set at the confluence of two rivers. Overnight Hotel Messerschmitt, Bamberg (B, D)

Thursday April 20 Wagner’s Bayreuth

Today we travel to Bayreuth, an elegant provincial city where Wagner built his festspielhaus, a theatre specifically designed for his works and today the site of an annual Wagner festival. Our city tour will also include Wahnfried, the villa built for Wagner by Ludwig I. Overnight Bamberg (B)

Friday April 21 To Frankfurt – performance III

This morning we take a walking tour of Bamberg. We then head to Frankfurt in time for this evening’s performance, Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. The libretto, by WH Auden and Chester Kallman, is based on Hogarth’s celebrated series of paintings. Overnight Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof, Frankfurt (B)

Performance details Venue: Oper Frankfurt Program: Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress Performers: Alfred Reiter (Trulove), Kateryna Kasper (Ann), Theo Lebow (Rakewell), Tito Ceccherini (conductor)

Saturday April 22 Frankfurt – performance IV

After a talk on this evening opera, Verdi’s Rigoletto, we meet our local guide for a walking tour of the historic centre, and visit the poet Goethe’s birth house. Overnight Frankfurt (B)

Performance details Venue: Oper Frankfurt Program: Verdi’s Rigoletto Performers: Quinn Kelsey (Rigoletto), Brenda Rae (Gilda), Mario Chang (Duke of Mantua), Carlo Montanaro (conductor)

Sunday April 23 Frankfurt – performance V

After a morning talk, the rest of your day is at leisure. This evening we return to the Frankfurt Oper for Debussy’s love story Pelléas et Mélisande. Overnight Frankfurt (B)

Performance details Venue: Oper Frankfurt Program: Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande Performers: Alfred Reiter (Arkel, King of Allemonde), Björn Bűrger (Pellèas), Gaëlle Arquez (Mélisande)

Monday April 24 Heidelberg

We depart Frankfurt bound for Strasbourg, stopping at Heidelberg, a charming town on the banks of the Neckar River. You will have free time to explore the city before

Above: Schloss Neuschwanstein, Bavaria and a dissolute episode from Hogarth’s The Rake’s progress, the inspiration for Stravinsky’s opera Below: the Städel museum in Frankfurt, recommended on your free day

continuing on to Strasbourg. Overnight Hotel Cour du Corbeau, Strasbourg (B)

Tuesday April 25 The Wine Road AND Colmar

Today we take an excursion along the ‘wine road’ through the vineyard-dotted landscape of Alsace, where we enjoy lunch and tasting of local wines. We also visit the pretty town of Colmar before returning to Strasbourg. Overnight Strasbourg (B, L)

Wednesday April 26 Strasbourg – performance VI

After a morning talk, we take a guided walking tour of Strasbourg, through the beautiful ensemble of Gothic architecture, black and white timber-framed buildings and medieval bridges and squares. The tour ends in the Petite France district. Tonight we attend the opening night of a new production of La Calisto. Overnight Strasbourg (B)

Performance details Venue: Opéra National du Rhin Program: Cavalli’s La Calisto Performers: Elena Tsallagova (La Calisto), Vivica Genaux (Eternità, Diana), Giovanni Battista Parodi (Giove)

Thursday April 27 The Black Forest and Rhine Falls – performance VII

We depart early this morning, crossing the Rhine back into Germany to the Höllental or ‘Devil’s Gorge’, beloved of German Romantics. This road takes us to the heart of the Black Forest, where we pause for lunch. Our next stop is the Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen. In Zurich we enjoy a concert by the excellent Tonhalle Orchestra with Chinese piano sensation Lang Lang. Overnight Hotel Steigenberger Bellerive au Lac, Zurich (B, L)

Performance details Venue: Tonhalle concert hall Program: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 Lang Lang, pianist: Stravinsky “The Firebird” Suite Performers: Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra with pianist Lang Lang, Lionel Bringuier (conductor)

Friday April 28 Art in Zurich

This morning a guide shows us the historic centre of Zurich. We end at the Zurich Art Museum, known for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and sculptures by Giacometti. Overnight Zurich (B)

Saturday April 29 Wagner in Zurich – performance VIII

After a talk on La Bohème, we head to the outskirts of the city

Above: the historic centre of Strasbourg Below: the Rhine falls at Schaffhausen; and Lang Lang in full flight, sneakers and all

Hotels Hotels have been selected principally for their central location, many within walking distances to the performance venues. All of the hotels are excellent four-star properties that are within renovated historic buildings. Munich, Hotel Torbräu (4 nights)

www.torbraeu.de/

Bamberg, Hotel Messerschmidt (2 nights) www.hotel-messerschmitt.de/

Frankfurt, Hotel Steigenberger Frankfurter hof

(3 nights) www.steigenberger.com/frankfurt

Strasbourg, Hotel Cour du Corbeau (3 nights)

http://www.cour-corbeau.com/

Zurich, Hotel Steigenberger Bellerive au Lac (4 nights) www.steigenberger.com/en/

to visit the Wesendonck villa, overlooking the Zürichsee. The villa was the residence of Otto and Matilda Wesendonck, respectively patron and muse of Richard Wagner. Overnight Zurich (B)

Performance details Venue: Zurich Opera House Program: Puccini’s La Bohème Performers: Benjamin Bernheim (Rodolfo), Eleonora Buratto (Mimì), Andrei Bondarenko (Marcello), Giampaolo Maria Bisanti (conductor)

Sunday April 30 Opera in Zurich – performance IX

After a pre-performance talk, we head to the opera house for our matinee performance of Massenet’s Werther, with star tenor Juan Diego Flórez in the title role. This evening we share a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight Zurich (B, D)

Performance details Venue: Zurich Opera House Program: Massenet’s Werther Performers: Juan Diego Flórez (Werther), Anna Stéphany (Charlotte), Mélissa Petit (Sophie), Cornelius Meister (conductor)

Monday May 1 Departure

This morning there is a group transfer to the Zurich airport for those with onward flights. (B)

Above: Young Italian soprano Eleonora Buratto sings Mimì in the Zurich production of La Bohème Below: Alberto Giacometti’s Tall Woman II, 1960, Kunsthaus Zürich

Tour Inclusions

Included in the tour price

All accommodation in selected hotels All breakfasts and selected lunches and dinners in local

restaurants as indicated in the itinerary Land travel by air-conditioned coach Pre-performance talks by music educator Robert Gay Services of an Australian tour leader throughout the tour All entrance fees to sites mentioned in itinerary Local guides for cities and sites Porterage of one piece of luggage at all hotels Tips to local guides and drivers

Not included in the tour price

International airfares, taxes and surcharges (see below) Airport transfers if not coordinating with Emirates flights Travel insurance Meals not stated as included in this itinerary Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls

or internet use

Air travel The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour we recommend Singapore Airlines which offers flights into Munich and out of Zurich from most Australian cities. Please contact us for the best possible prices on economy, business or first class fares. Transfers between airport and hotel are included for all passengers booking their flights through Academy Travel. These may be group or individual transfers.

Enquiries and bookings For further information and to secure a place on this tour please contact Erin Laffin at Academy Travel on 9235 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email erin@academytravel.com.au

Weather on Tour May is a pleasant time to travel in Germany, France and Switzerland with spring temperatures ranging on average from 18°C to the low 20s, dropping to 8°C -10°C at night. However you should pack for a few days which are cooler than this, as well as a few warmer ones. Rainfall is fairly evenly spread across the year, and it is reasonable to expect rain on at least a few days, though not enough to disrupt our program.

Fitness Requirements of THIS tour

Grade Two

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 carefully consider 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 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

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.