Platinum Boys' Choir Venice Tour | Day 3

All I can say is rain, rain and more rain!! Having said that, Venezia is beautiful in any weather. Our day started at the Palazzo Ducale where the boys were inevitably fascinated by the armoury and the prisons, where we asked them to make themselves feel comfortable(!).  We were caught in a torrential downpour whilst queuing for Basilica San Marco. Miss Henson was a star; she stood with our rucksacks while we enjoyed the beautiful gold mosaics in St Mark’s. We had a great opportunity to teach the boys about the Venetian tradition of ‘Cori Spezzati’ (Split Choirs), which influenced the Anglican Choral tradition of our Cathedrals today. The boys were also very proud to hear that we had been invited to sing during Mass at St Mark’s. I declined the offer this time... but another time, perhaps?

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We took the Vaporetto to San Stae where the boys ran off for an ‘on the hoof’ hot dog. Director and Organist arrived at the church to find a rickety old ladder leading up to the worlds smallest organ, dressed in the grandest case! We were shocked, to say the least, but some shrewd decision-making meant that we found a way to get the best out of the instrument and were finally ready for the rehearsal. The concert was a huge success - the boys sounded sublime in the 10 second acoustic - and the performance was a lot more relaxed and smiley. We had some beautiful duets and trios from a different set of boys - very well done to them! 

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Following the concert we gave the boys a taste of freedom in the shops on the Rialto Bridge (STRICTLY guarded at either end by the staff, of course.). The boys bought some wonderful gifts for their parents and siblings and Scott was humbled to receive a wonderful gift - a Murano glass conductor - from some of the older choristers. They wanted to show their gratitude for Scott organising such a great tour. We are lucky to have such thoughtful children in Platinum Boys’ Choir! The evening ended with some much-needed down time and postcard writing before another good night’s sleep. 


NEXT: Final concert and the trip we’ve all been waiting for.... the Murano Glass Museum. Stay tuned for more!

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