Phoenix Girls Chorus performs at St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 4:00 PM

The Phoenix Girls Chorus Cantabile is invited to sing in the prestigious Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 4:00 pm. 

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is the symbolic "Mother church" of the Catholic Church and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.

St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564), an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Michelangelo took over a building site at which four piers, enormous beyond any constructed since the days of Ancient Rome, were rising behind the remaining nave of the old basilica. He also inherited the numerous schemes designed and redesigned by some of the greatest architectural and engineering brains of the 16th century.

Incidentally there are over 100 tombs within St. Peter's Basilica, many located in the Vatican grotto, beneath the Basilica. These include 91 popes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Exiled Catholic British royalty James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart, are buried here, having been granted asylum by Pope Clement XI. 

Incantato Concert Tours prime performance Venue: the magnificent Teatro de Rieti on Friday, June 20 at 6 pm

The Teatro Falvio Vespasiano di Rieti is a magical place where the PGC Cantabile singers will be presenting a special concert as part of their 2014 Performance Tour in Italy with Incantato Tours.

The current structure of the theater dates back to December of 1883 but was not officially inaugurated until September 20, 1893, featuring productions of Johnann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

The theater, named after the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, required ten years of construction under the direction of Milanese architect Achille Sfondrini. 
The theater underwent complete restoration from 2005 through 2009. A grand re-opening celebration commenced on January 10, 2009 featuring conductor Marcello Rota, and soloists Karina Grigoryan, Jessica Pratt, Anna Gorayacheva, and Roman Burdenko. 
The Secretary to the Prime Minister, as well as Senator Franco Marini were in attendance. The restoration efforts totaled more than 3.3 million Euros. The reopening of the theater also fostered the formation of the Flavius Vespasian Foundation, aiming to promote international artistry and music. 

The Rieti Theater also annually hosts the "Città di Rieti", an international dance competition, the International Competition for the New Opera Voices of Mattia Battistini and the National Competition for Young Actors. 

The theater is well known for its excellent acoustics, a characteristic that earned the structure the very first National Award for the Acoustics. In referring to the acoustics, Professor Bruno Cagli, president of the National Academy of Saint Cecilia, once called the theater “the world’s best in that respect”. 

The Phoenix Girls Chorus Itinerary for June 2014

Day 1, Tuesday, June 17 - Depart for Italy
Overnight flight to Italy via London

Day 2, Wednesday, June 18 -  Arrive in Rome
Benvenuti in bella Italia! Upon arrival in Rome you will meet with your Incantato Tour Manager and then transfer to the charming Costa d‘Ulisses for the first part of your journey near the beach. From there you will check-in to your hotel and in the evening everyone will enjoy a welcome dinner.

Day 3, Thursday, June 19 - Cathedrals & Castles on the Coast
Visit the magical cities of Gaeta and Sperlunga that attracted the Romans already over 2000 years ago. Then prepare for a special performance in Itri, an ancient castle located on a hilltop.  This will be hosted by a local choir who will also prepare dinner for the girls.

Day 4, Friday, June 20 - Sightseeing and Concert in Rieti at 6 pm
Bid farewell to the beach and continue to Rieti in the very heart of Italy. The charming hill top town has a lot to offer. The highlight Teatro concert takes place on this evening at 6 pm.

Day 5, Saturday, June 21 - Exploring Assisi (Recital) Festa della Musica Performances
Explore nearby Assisi with an expert guide prior to PGC presenting a recital at the Basilica of St. Francis. Upon return to Rieti, celebrate the world-wide celebration of music Fete de la Musique or Festa della Musica as it is called in Italian in the town of Rieti and today‘s line-up will feature the Phoenix Girls Chorus in several events. There will also be special reception with the cultural mayor.

Day 6, Sunday, June 22 - Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica at noon
Today's program has changed as PGC's Cantabile was invited to sing in the prestigious Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Thus, the group will embark on a day trip to Rome and return to Rieti for dinner and to stay overnight.

Day 7, Monday, June 23 - Under the Tuscan Sun
Experience the beautiful countryside of Umbria and Tuscany as you journey towards Florence. You will stop in Siena for sightseeing, which is still one of Italy's most ancient cities. As you will see in the small streets and alley ways, not many private cars are allowed inside of the city. After Siena you will then board the coach to continue onto Florence and check into your Florentine hotel. A sampling of local food is also planned and a concert is scheduled for in the evening.

Day 8, Tuesday, June 24 - Florence Sightseeing & likely Florence Concert at 7:45 pm
See the wonderful city of Florence with an expert guide, that will show and tell you the famous stories of the city and of the Medici Family. The entrance to the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo‘s David will also be included. Inside the Museum you may learn about the invention of the modern day piano that was created by a man who was employed by a Prince of the Medici family. Later on, PCG is likely being the featured choir for a concert at the church of Santa Maria Maggiore right in the heart of Florence. Thereafter, the young ladies will see Florence by night.

Day 9, Wednesday, June 25 - Scenic Road to Rome & Sightseeing 
See the rolling hills that make this region so famous once again as you journey to the Eternal City of Rome. You will start with a walking tour of the Baroque Squares, climb the Spanish Steps, see the Trevi Fountain and also try some gelato prior to check-in at your hotel.

Day 10, Thursday, June 26 - Ancient Rome Tour
No visit to Rome is complete without a walk through the Coliseum and Roman Forum. There will also be free time for you to do some shopping for souvenirs, people watch and see the street artists etc.

Day 11, Friday, June 27 - Exchange & Concert
You will have a chance to explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel on a special tour before PGC will present a final concert after a school exchange. A special farewell dinner concludes the day.

Day 12, Saturday, June 28 - Depart for Phoenix
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for your journey back to the US. The travelers will return home with memories to last a lifetime.

Incantato Insider: Rieti

Though most international travelers know about and have visited big Italian cities like Florence and Rome, or famous smaller ones like the towns of Cinque Terra or the Amalfi Coast, few know just how many hidden gems are sprinkled throughout the Italian countryside. Rieti is one of these - a town that's important to Italians (and Italian history) and virtually unknown to American tourists.

Rieti is the name for both a city and a province (like a county) in the region (like a state) of Lazio. Many Italians know Rieti because it's along a major route to get to Rome (also, incidentally, in Lazio). As the capital of the region of Rieti, the town also is a major cultural and commercial center for the many tiny towns in northern Lazio and southern Umbria.

Historically, Reiti was a major site in the Sabine nation long before Italy was united, and later became a strategic point in the early Italian road network that linked Rome to the Adriatic Sea. Rieti also became a favorite Papal seat and was the site of several important historical events, including the marriage of Constance Hauteville in 1185, the crowning of Charles I by Pope Nicholas in 1289, and the celebration of the canonization of St. Dominic by Pope Gregory IX in 1234.

Interesting features of modern Rieti include the Cathedral, with a stunning Romanesque bell tower built in 1252 and a statue of St. Barbara by Giannatonio Mari; the Palazzo Vescovile – or Bishops Palace – with its Rennaissance windows and a Grand Hall housing the Diocese Gallery; and the Santa Maria in Vescovio, an 8th century church with frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries depicting the Last Judgment and scenes from the Bible.

As the center of the Rieti province, the town of Rieti also features a number of gelaterias, clothing stores, delicious restaurants, and the surprisingly diverse music store Mussicisti.

The Rieti Valley also is an important part of the Cammino di Francesco, or Saint Francis Walk. Along with Assisi and the Verna, Saint Francis made the Rieti Valley his home. It is here that he created the first Nativity in Christianity in 1223, wrote the Rule of the Franciscan Order, and most likely composed The Canticle of All Creatures.

Discover St. Peter's Basilica with Incantato

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It is the symbolic "Mother Church" of the Catholic Church and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites in the world. It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, first Bishop of Rome and therefore first in the line of the papal succession. Tradition and some historical evidence hold that Saint Peter's tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St. Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction of the present basilica, over the old Constantine basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.

St. Peter's is a famous place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475-1564), an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Michelangelo took over a building site at which four piers, enormous beyond any constructed since the days of Ancient Rome, were rising behind the remaining nave of the old basilica. He also inherited the numerous schemes designed and redesigned by some of the greatest architectural and engineering brains of the 16th century.

Incidentally, there are over 100 tombs within St. Peter's Basilica, many located in the Vatican grotto, beneath the Basilica. These include 91 popes, St. Ignatius of Antioch, Holy Roman Emperor Otto II, and the composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Exiled Catholic British royalty James Francis Edward Stuart and his two sons, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart, are buried here, having been granted asylum by Pope Clement XI. The most recent interment was Pope John Paul II, on April 8, 2005.

 

Welcome to Rome with Incantato Tours

• Rome's early history is shrouded in legend. According to Roman tradition, the city was founded by the twin Romulus and Remus on April 21st, 753 BC
• Due to its centrality on many levels, the city has been nicknamed "Caput Mundi" (Latin for "Capital of the World") and "The Eternal City"
• Its rich artistic heritage and vast amount of ancient, notably architectural and archaeological sites, contribute to the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
• Rome is the third most visited tourist destination in the European Union
• The city is also an important worldwide hub of the cinematic and filming industry, home to the important and large Cinecitta Studios, which saw the filming of several internationally acclaimed movies, as well as television programs
• The Rome metropolitan area is the world's 35th richest city be purchasing power
• The city hosted the 1960 Olympic Games and is also an official candidate for the 2020 Olympic Games
• Rome is an important center for music, and it has an intense musical scene, including several prestigious music conservatories and theaters. It hosts the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia (founded in 1585), for which new concert halls have been built in the new Parco della Musica, one of the largest musical venues in the world
• A Jewish influence in the Italian dishes can be seen, as Jews have lived in Rome since the 1st Century BC. Examples of these include "Saltimbocca alla Romana," a veal cutlet, Roman-style, topped with raw ham and sage and simmered with white wine and butter, as well as "Carciofi alla giudia" - artichokes fried in olive oil, typical of Roman Jewish cooking

Incantato Tours Welcomes You to Florence

Located in Tuscany, the city of Florence is one of the greatest artistic capitals in the world. It is a monument to the Renaissance and the artistic and cultural reawakening of the 15th century. 

The city began as a Roman colony in 59 BC and grew to a trading hub and independent city. In time, power passed to leading noble families of the city, the most influential of which were the Medici, a hugely wealthy banking dynasty. Both Florence and Tuscany remained under the family's rule for three centuries until 1737, and the mark they left can be seen throughout the city even today. It was during this time that Florence was at the cultural and intellectual heart of Europe. 

There are so many sights to see in one of Italy's most visited cities, that it is impossible to present them all here. Therefore, just a few highlights are mentioned, and the rest is left to own exploration. 

The historic part of Florence is a compact area, and the river Arno bisects the city. The oldest surviving bridge in the city that crosses the Arno is the Ponte Vecchio, built in 1345. It is almost exclusively jewelers and goldsmiths that offer items for sale in the shops that line the bridge, a tradition that started back in the 16th century. The Ponte Vecchio is also the only bridge in the city that escaped any destruction during World War II. 

Perhaps the most famous of Florence's landmarks and historical buildings is the richly decorated Duomo, the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore with its orange-tiled dome. The city's geographical and historical focus, the Duomo rises above the heart of Florence and to this day remains the city's tallest building. It has become Florence's most famous symbol and the cathedral is Europe's fourth largest church. The dome was finished by Brunelleschi in 1463 and was the largest of its time to be built without scaffolding. 

The Academy of Fine Arts, the Galleria dell'Accademia, was established in 1563. It was the first school in Europe specifically to teach the techniques of drawing, painting, and sculpture. The art collection displayed here today was formed in 1784. Its most famous work is Michelangelo's David, a colossal nude of the biblical hero who killed the giant Goliath. Created in 1504, it established Michelangelo as the foremost sculptor of his time at the age of 29. Another one of Michelangelo's masterpieces found here is the Quattro Prigioni, the Four Prisoners, a sculpture created between 1521 and 1523 and intended to adorn the tomb of Pope Julius II. 

Built from 1560 to 1580 to house offices, the Uffizi are now one of Italy's leading art galleries. Originally, the upper story was used as a gallery to display the Medici art treasures. Today, it houses the world's greatest collection of Italian Renaissance art and a priceless collection of paintings, including the Birth of Venues, painted by Botticelli in 1485. 

Across the river Arno, the vast Pitti Palace is second only to the Uffizi in its art collection. It was constructed in 1457 and in 1550, it became the main residence of the Medici family and subsequently all rulers of the city of Florence lived here. The Palace's richly decorated rooms exhibit countless treasures from the Medici collections and contain galleries with works by great Renaissance artists including Raphael and Titian. 

The Phoenix Girls Chorus Tour Materials

Dear PGC Travelers,

Your most important tour information can be found in your tour brochure. In order to sign up for the tour, you must fill out and submit the original registration form to Incantato Tours (our mailing address is located on your registration form).

If you would like to download any of the tour materials, we have made both of these available to you as PDFs from our Dropbox account:

Please click here for the 2014 PGC Tour Brochure

Please click here for the 2014 PGC Registration Form

Your Incantato Tours Team

Incantato Insider: Gaeta and Sperlunga

The region of Lazio today features a varied landscape of volcanic lakes, mountains, ravines, and olive groves. The area was inhabited at least 60,000 years go, although the first signs of a significant civilization date back to the 10th century BC. Aside from Rome, the YPAS travelers will also be visiting other towns in the Lazio region, including two in the south: Sperlunga and Gaeta.

A seaside town surrounded by sandy beaches, the old town of Sperlunga is marked by whitewashed buildings and narrow alleyways. The modern part of town lies down on the seafront. 
In ancient times, this area was a favorite retreat for the Romans during the hot summer months, which is why there were villas built along the coast. Archaeologists found a luxury villa complex on the outskirts of town, along with some amazing 2nd century BC Hellenistic sculptures in a large cave open to the sea.

The historic center of Gaeta is dominated by a mighty Aragonese castle. However, the town's most outstanding feature is the Duomo's elegant late Romanesque bell tower with its lofty summit topped by a roof of colored ceramic tiles. 

Incantato Introduces Siena

322 meters above sea level, Siena (in English sometimes spelled Sienna) is right in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. It is also the capital of the province of Siena. But the true origin of this magnificent city is still uncertain. A number of historians refer to an ancient Etruscan settlement known as Sena, which stood on the borders between the lands governed by Volterra, Arezzo and Chiusi. When this settlement was conquered by the Romans under Augustus, it took on the name of Sena Iulia.


The origin of the name Siena is probably Etruscan and could derive from the name of a family, the Saina. It was quite common for patrician families to take on the name of their place of origin. A number of references to the name Saena appear in Latin texts, ass

Some legends trace the founding of the city back to a young Roman named Senius, one of the children of Rhemus who was forced to flee the rage of his uncle Romulus along with another of his siblings, Ascanius. These two brothers are believed to have left Rome with a statue of the she-wolf and, after finding refuge on a hill above the river Tressa, built a fortress known as Castel Senio, or Castelvecchio – reputed to be the first nucleus around which the city developed over the millennia. This is the reason why the emblem of Siena remains to this day the she-wolf of Rome.
The diocese of Siena probably dates back to the reigns of Gratian and Theodosius, following the conversion of the area by Ansanus, a young martyr who is the city’s main patron saint.

The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008.

The city is also famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. 

Incantato Welcomes You to Bella Italia

Italy has been, since antiquity, the centre of history, culture and art. The museums, collections and archaeological sites reveal countless tokens of the past and the many civilizations that have passed across this country, evidence of which is still inextricably woven into the present day landscape.

Artistic wonders can be found everywhere, and every corner of the country holds countless and wonderful surprises. The artistic and cultural heritage is one of the most valuable in the world. Italy has more cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country. Rome, Florence, Assisi, Venice, Siena, Pisa, and Naples are its most renowned cities of art, but the whole country can boast towns of breathtaking beauty, as these numbers demonstrate: 95,000 monumental churches, 40,000 forts and castles, 30,000 historical residences with 4,000 gardens, 36,000 archives and libraries, 20,000 historical cities and towns, 5,600 museums and archaeological sites, and 1,500 convents.

Tourists can explore and discover the private residences of ancient and noble families; visit world famous museums such as the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Capitoline Museums in Rome, or the Brera Art Gallery in Milan; explore impressive archaeological sites, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, to immerse themselves in an exciting, grandiose past. That is by no means all - there are numerous cultural, artistic, and musical events that animate Italian life.

Italy offers a rich combination of masterpieces from different areas, blending landscape and culture, history and art, architecture and city planning - it offers an exciting journey through time, from the Ancient Greeks and Romans to the present day, which is also filled by a wealth of art and culture.


Information courtesy of http://www.italia.it/

Welcome to the Vatican with Incantato Tours

Vatican City, officially the State of the Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares, and a population of just over 800.

Vatican City is a city-state that came into existence in 1929. It is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main Episcopal see of 1.147 billion Latin and Eastern Catholic adherents around the globe.

Ordinances of Vatican City are published in Italian; official documents of the Holy See are issued mainly in Latin. The two entities even have distinct passports: the Holy See, not being a country, only issues diplomatic and service passports; the state of Vatican City issues normal passports. In both cases the passports issued are very few.

Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by the bishop of Rome - the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergymen of various nationalities. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See (Sancta Sedes) and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace. The Popes have resided in the area, that in 1929 became Vatican City, since the return from Avignon in 1377.

Discover Assisi with Incantato Tours

There are many reasons why Assisi is one of Incantato's favorite destinations in Italy. A fairly small city of 30,000 inhabitants, Assisi sits perched on a hilltop surround by the stunning Umbrian landscape. 

When visiting, you feel like you have stepped back in time, finding yourself in what seems like a village from the Middle Ages with its old gates and main street, the Via de San Francesco. You can also visit the two 14th century forts Rocca Maggiore and Rocca Minore (large and small fort) and enjoy the gorgeous views. However, the most important sight is the Basilica of Saint Francis, named a UNESCO world heritage site. There are also many traces of Roman times around the city, including remains of the city walls or the Piazza del Comune, the main square of Assisi. Here you can find the Temple of Minerva. With six Corinthian columns, it was erected in the 1st Century BC. The square is also a nice meeting point where almost all streets converge. In the streets surrounding the main square there are many shops offering small handicrafts and local specialties. You can also just sit down and relax, knowing that beneath your feet lies an ancient Roman Forum where people used to meet 2,000 years ago.