Singing Corsica

The long awaited Singing Corsica installment is finally here. I'm sitting in our campervan in little french town in France's Central Massif, wondering how I'm going to convey the essence of what we've experienced. It's been very intense. Only one week in Sardinia and then another in Corsica, but it seems like months have passed. Mornings start early, with an ocean swim, followed by a hot shower and then breakfast in a great hotel, usually near the beach. Then it's a morning rehearsal followed by a bit of free time and lunch and then maybe an afternoon rehearsal. The choir is pretty amazing, having been flung together only at the start of the trip, but there are some amazing voices and everyone has done their homework. Things coming together very quickly. Everyone's pitching is excellent and mostly everyone has the lyrics under control. Stuart (Davis) is doing a great job out the front and has seemingly endless energy and a certain brashness to make things happen. Jenny & Christina working behind the scenes to get us in and out of places seamlessly, get food on the table at the right time, transport on schedule and all the rest that goes unnoticed. I'm not usually a fan of organised tours, but we made the right decision on this one I think. All the other choir members are really lovely, caring and talented people and not once have we been held up by people being late or inconsiderate or upset. I think my level of Old Man Grumpiness has actually gone down quite a few notches, which is great for my holiday spirit I must say. I have been trying to be more kind.

Anyway, on to Corsica! We caught the ferry from the northern tip of Sardinia to the town of Bonifacio in the very south of Corsica. What an amazing trip. Bonifacio is a 'citadel' on the top of a cliff at the entrance to an amazingly narrow harbour. It must be one of the most magical harbours to enter, anywhere.

The hotel was in the old citadel and very nice. Lots of beatiful views art on the walls and spread liberally around.

Here's a photo of a rehearsal in the 'Loggia' next to the cathedral. Being a 'Pop-Up' choir means that most of our rehearsals turn into some sort of performance as people stop and listen and video. I've been amazed at the number of small children who seem mesmerised by the power of the voice.

One of our objectives was to get to the main city of Calvi, up in the north of Corsica, where there is going to be a singing festival. "Festival des Rencontres de Chants Polyphoniques de Calvi". Two easy days drive, five days at the festival. The drive up was great. Corsica is very mountainous, but quite populated, and most houses are built out of stone. Limestone in particular. These big white, block houses and narrow streets (for shade) are really beautiful.

Oops... I'm running out of time again. The next installment will be Calvi and the festival. It was very eventful!! Some great stories.

Stand by!