Steampunk [explained] and trip to Verona

my steampunk cowboy

I have been tasked to try to explain what in the world Jonathan's involvement with the Voci PeriGolose steampunk Renaissance choir is all about. Don't feel bad, I have to do this both in English and Italian quite frequently. 

First, some back story. In 2015/16, Jonathan sang with this choir for several months before he developed breathing difficulties and debilitating illness that forced him to step away. He recently returned to the choir this past fall and was welcomed with open arms not only for his vocal contribution to a now much-reduced choir size but also because he is well loved at the school. He has maintained relationships at the music school, especially with the director, thanks to our kids and their various musical lesson endeavours over the past 6 years. Jonathan played in a band last year at the school but was thrilled to return to this unique vocal and theatrical choir.

What is Steampunk? According to Wikipedia: 

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.^[1][2] Although its literary origins are sometimes associated with the cyberpunk genre,^[3] steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a future during which steam power has maintained mainstream usage, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.

So 19th-century futuristic costumes, singing music from the 14th-17th centuries, with lyrics in old Italian and Spanish. I struggle to understand why you don't see the connection! It is a one-of-a-kind choir that makes a big impression.

And of course, they had to name the group that requires further explanation in Italian because of their play on words.

Voci = voices
Pericolose = dangerous
Golose = glutton or delicious
*deliciously dangerous voices? boh? It's hard to translate the play on words.

Anyway, the choir practices once a week on Thursdays from 9pm-midnight and they perform throughout the year at various city street fairs, festivals, clubs, hospitals and the annual international choir competition in Verona. This was their third year competing in Verona and it was with great anticipation that our family join the 2019 experience. Eighteen choirs from ten different countries (Italy, Germany, Slovakia, USA, Turkey, Japan, Cyprus, Russia, Latvia, and Croatia) came together for the event this year.

We pulled the kids out of school for a day and drove 3 hours east to Verona for a long weekend. The spring weather was gorgeous, the UNESCO city was absolutely picturesque, the music was phenomenal and it was a wonderful weekend of bonding and relationship building. 

We also enjoyed the company of our mission colleagues, Mark and Diane, who moved to Caselle six months. Their primary ministry is in Greece, but when they are in town we try to hang out as much as possible. They are super fun, wise, humble and just very special friends that are a timely gift from God to our family. To be totally honest, our kids weren't excited about the weekend until they heard M&D were going to tag along with us! They, the kids and I were the official "fan club" trailing behind the infamous Voci PeriGolose.

love this couple

We stayed outside the city at an agriturismo (bed and breakfast/farm stay) that overlooked Verona. The view and hospitality were amazing.

Spring blossoms

Our apartment

Il Pianetto

Sunset with a view

photo credit: Samuel

Friday, we set off to the city, slowly making our way to the theatre where the choir competed in the afternoon. They kept their voices warm by stopping all along the way for street performances. Crowds gathered quickly and it surely was a sight to see and quite hilarious seeing tourists do double takes and snap pictures of these peculiarly dressed people. People would just stop them and ask "can I get my picture with you?" Samuel and I were the designated photographers and we were not lacking in photo ops.

love, love, love

crossing the bridge Ponte Pietra

singing in Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza Erbe and Madonna fountain

The marble streets in Verona are gorgeous

You know, just another day in Italy, walking past a Roman amphitheatre built in the first century

Fueling up on delicious pastries

Unlike the choir members, the "fan club" was able to sit in the theatre and watch a total of four choirs perform that afternoon.

Waiting for show time

Dressing/waiting room entrance

Inside the Teatro Filarmonico lobby

Performing in the Sala Maffeiana (a side performance hall in the Teatro Filarmonico)

I know it is hard to read, but there were 20 minutes worth of singing in their repertoire 

At the conclusion of the competition, we took to the streets again, making our way along the Adige River to the church of San Zeno. It was 4:00 before we were able to finally get some lunch at a cafè! How they all press on without food fuel is remarkable! 

Castelvecchio - built by the Scaliger dynasty in the Middle Ages

Walking along the Adige river with the Castelvecchio bridge behind us

Italians love color

Then we toured the Basilica of San Zeno, sang more along the way back to the car and finally crossed the Ponte Pietra at nightfall.

The Abbey

reflecting

light, shadow and beauty

Best birthday gift ever--he's loving his new camera

Abbey columns

Emma and Franco

olive tree

Inside the Basilica

Panorama view from the front doors

photo credit: Samuel

John 1 written in Greek. Samuel translated it to English and Mark read it in Greek. What a gift it is for Samuel to have studied intensely both Latin and Greek.

Singing Miserere Mei in the crypt

Another request to sing for a crowd

Adige river and bridge at sunset

Porta Borsari
Built in the first century, this Roman-Verona main gate was where taxes were collected upon entry and exit to the city.

Another view of the Porta Borsari

Piazza delle Erbe by night

Verona by night

We dropped Mark, Diane and the kids off at our lodging with frozen pizzas to throw in the oven and then Jonathan and I took off for the benefit concert and dinner at another agriturismo. The event was to benefit the clown association of Verona that goes into hospitals and such to bring cheer to patients. Upon arrival, the choir director had already told the event organizer that Jonathan was a pastor. She asked Jonathan to give a blessing and thanks to the attendees before the choir sang. So on the fly and a prayer, he read from Scripture and gave a brief challenge about loving our neighbour as Christ did. What an unexpected and wonderful opportunity!

Jonathan speaking at the benefit concert

Clowning around

Saturday, was another full day like the one before except with an earlier start and even later finish. A presentation was held in the city hall where the participants were given a gift from the city. 

Palazzo Barbieri - city hall

Inside the city hall

A select VIP were allowed to enter (yeah us!)

Choir directors, mayor of Verona and other event organizers and participants

Fountain in Piazza Bra

More photos with strangers

Then we were off again to the Theatre Filarmanico for the awards ceremony. We were privileged to sit in box seats and absolutely enjoyed the experience of hearing world-class choirs sing (well only, those who were awarded gold). Voci PeriGolose received a bronze for their performance. Bravi!

Neighbouring box seat booths (4 person capacity)

Gorgeous theatre

High-class living

Panorama of the theatre

1-day old teenager

Alpini and the flag procession

A couple of hours later we left the theatre

Bronze Cup winners
the smallest but most memorable choir

Then we all walked to the Arsenale across town to eat lunch and mingle with all the other choir participants, being careful not to get caught up in the protests against the national family convention that was being held that same weekend.  

Speaking with an American choir director from Florida

Choir and official fan club

After lunch, we headed back to the Arena for the combined singing of Amazing Grace, Ode to Joy, and Va Pensiero. Redeeming the Roman arena with these gorgeous hymns.

a small section of the outer wall as seen from the exterior

View of the outer wall from within the arena.
The choirs are united under that portion, ready to sing.

View from the top of the arena

Tired but still smiling

The kids were more than done at this point and desperately needed a break, food (and to study!) So we broke off from the group, dropped Mark and Diane off at the train station and went back to the apartment. That only took 1.5 hours to do thanks to traffic! The choir had to leave at 6:45pm to perform at another concert venue while I stayed back with the kids. Fortunately, Jonathan drove separately and was able to return at 12:30am, while the others did not get back until 4:30am! We lost an hour that night thanks to daylight savings.

Concert in Cerro Veronese

Sunday was much more laid back as we had the morning to relax (and do homework). Around noon we met up at the agriturismo where the second half of our group was staying. Jonathan had been asked weeks prior by the director if he would give a meditation from Scripture. Jonathan had the wonderful opportunity to teach on the passage of the Prodigal Son. It was very well received from those who chose to stay and listen. We are so thankful for the relationship and trust Jonathan has been able to develop with this group of precious people. His congregation is really our community...they just don't realize they are being pastored. :)

Singing through our worship songbook in Italian with an amazing view

Sermon under the olive trees

One final stop in Quinzano to sing at the local olive oil festival before we got on the road to head home and call the weekend complete. 

While the choir did their thing, we ate. Never underestimate what food can do for attitudes!

What a wonderful cultural experience full of great memories. I'm already looking forward to next year!