Melbourne University Choral Society in Parkville, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

Melbourne University Choral Society

Locality: Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 433 661 971

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• Performance art

25.01.2022 Day 11, Saturday 18 June saw us visit the historic city of Perugia, the capital city of both the region of Umbria in central Italy, and of the province of Perugia. The city is located about 164 kilometres north of Rome and 148 km southeast of Florence. It covers a high hilltop and part of the valleys around the area. The region of Umbria is bordered by Tuscany, Lazio, and Marche. The history of Perugia goes back to the Etruscan period; Perugia was one of the main Etruscan cit...Continue reading

24.01.2022 After enjoying some warming Glühwein at Karlsplatz, we headed East towards Odeonsplatz, in front of the Residenz (Munichs Royal Palace), opposite the bright yellow Theatinerkirche, and the Feldherrnhalle, an important and historic site where Hitler famously reviewed his troops upon his rise to absolute power in Germany. Before that the square was the scene of a fatal gun battle which ended the march on the Feldherrnhalle during the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch (a failed coup d'éta...t by the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler to seize power in Munich, in 1923. The Theatinerkirche of St. Kajetan is another spectacular Catholic church in Munich. It was built from 1663 to 1690, by Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, and his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, as a gesture of thanks for the birth of the long-awaited heir to the Bavarian crown, Prince Max Emanuel, in 1662. There was then a visit to the Viktualianmarkt for some tasty Bavarian treats, including all types of sausages, roasted meats, leberkäse (a popular type of German meatloaf made of corned beef, pork and bacon usually served hot in a fresh bread roll with lots of mustard), local beers, cheeses, hot nuts, warm pretzels and delicious cakes and pastries. People eventually took to the U Bahn and made their way back to the hotel where the 2020 MUCS tour formally began, with check in for those who arrived during the day,and those or who had stayed the previous night elsewhere. After a few hours to rest up, nap, shop, sightsee some more or just relax and enjoy the hotels facilities we all met our fabulous tour Guide Eva and our cheery coach driver Simmy (who are both veterans of previous MUCS tours), and in the evening we all boarded our coach for the first time and enjoyed a lovely meal of rich Bavarian mushroom soup, roast beef with potato dumplings and gravy, all washed down with local beers and a huge slab of Black Forrest Cherry Cake at the restaurant of Augustiner-Bräu, first established in 1328, and Munich's oldest independent brewery. A wonderful start to the 2020 MUCS tour, with everyone having arrived safely in time to enjoy our first official tour meal together. Tomorrow we give our first performance, a short lunchtime recital in the great Cathedral of Munich, known locally as the Frauenkirche. A great honour for us and one we all look forward to.

24.01.2022 After a wonderful series of Carols concerts in St Pauls Cathedral last weekend, MUCS will finish the year by performing the music for the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at St Johns Anglican Church, (86 Clendon Road, Toorak Victoria 3142) at 11pm on Tuesday 24 December. All welcome. The choir will be conducted by Andrew Wailes, and joined by Majestic Brass and Director of Music at St Johns Christopher Cook on the organ. We will perform a lovely selection of traditional Ch...ristmas music, including rousing carols like O Come All Ye Faithful, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Sir David Willcocks, as well as Handels Hallelujah Chorus and Joy to the World, Herbert HowellsHere is the Little Door, Trevor Manors This Night My Heart Rejoices, and Sally De Fords He is Born the Child Divine. The service music will be by Harold Darke in F Major and Michael Dudman. All friends and families welcome, and if you would like to join in the choir, please arrive by 9pm for rehearsal in the church. To everyone, a very Merry Christmas from MUCS!

23.01.2022 Apologies to those following the tour at home... a few technological hic ups have prevented successful postings for the last few days.... so many amazing photos and so much activity that we have not been able to keep up!!! All going extremely well. Beautiful weather, fabulous group of MUCS travellers all getting along like a house on fire, some lovely performances in truly breathtaking venues, and amazing weather has meant that we have done even more than we set out to every...Continue reading

22.01.2022 On Saturday morning 11th Jan, MUCS departed our Salzburg Hotel by coach and again headed into the old city centre for a Sound of Munichs Tour. Starting at Mirabell Palace and gardens. Over the day we would visit many of the key shooting locations from the Sound of Music movie including: the Mirabell Gardens and the Pegasus Fountain (the dance scenes with Maria and the children), Schloss Leopoldskron (in the film, the house where the family lived), Hellbrunn palace (singin...g scenes), Nonnberg Convent (where the young Maria was a novice), St. Gilgen / Wolfgangsee (featured in the opening scene of the movie), and Mondsee Basilica (where the films famous wedding scene was shot). The morning weather today was more in keeping with a European winter, with the temperature dropping a bit and early morning drizzle. By lunchtime it had cleared, and remained fine and overcast for the rest of the day. Another highlight today was a visit to the place where W. A. Mozart was born in 1756, in the Hagenauer Haus at No. 9 Getreidegasse in Salzburg. Today, Mozarts Birthplace is one of the most visited museums in Austria and is a Mecca for Mozart fans. Mozarts family actually lived here for 26 years, from 1747 on, occupying an apartment on the third floor. With parents Leopold and Anna Maria as well as sister Nannerl, Mozart spend his childhood and much of his youth there. Other places we visited included the entrance to the Salzburg Residenz, the magnificent former residence of the Prince-Archbishops, Residenzplatz, Groes Festspielhaus, Getreidegasse, The Sphaera sculpture, and several of Salzburgs famous cafes.

21.01.2022 We realise these photos are not in order, but we are so proud to have performed in St Peters Basilica in the Vatican that we are posting these two photos in the meantime to share the moment with our loved ones back home. A proud moment for MUCS, and for us all. Once again we were blessed with beautiful weather, and when we got a spontaneous burst of applause from the huge congregation at the end of our last piece at the end of the mass it was a great feeling of pride and ac...complishment for us all. The service was conducted by His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Vicar General of His Holiness for the State of Vatican City, and Archpriest of Saint Peters Basilica. The sense of gravitas was real for us all as we performed Faurs Tu es Petrus standing under the same words which are carved into the epic Basilica above the altar in letters 6 feet high, and knowing that the Basilica was built on St Peters tomb. A cherished and precious memory for us all. Well done everyone.

21.01.2022 Today (Thurs 9 Jan) the choir departed the hotel after a magnificent German Früstück of eggs, a vast array of cold cut meats and cheeses, result baked bread and bread rolls of all varieties, berries, yogurts, beautiful jams and preserves, fruit salad and fruit juices, tea and coffee. We enjoyed a bus tour of some of Munichs major sites, starting with the impressive Olympiapark stadia facilities constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Located in the Oberwiesenfeld neighbor...Continue reading

21.01.2022 MUCS RESUMES THIS WEEK! Following the choirs triumphant tour of Europe including performances at Salzburg Cathedral and St Peters Basilica in the Vatican, MUCS resumes rehearsals this week and welcomes both returning and new members to join for the exciting 2020 season. Wednesday 19 February... 6.45pm - 9.30pm Frewin Room, St Marys College Swanston St, Parkville 2020 is going to be one of our biggest years ever... come and sing some spectacular symphonic works, including Brahms Shicksalslied (Song of Destiny), Beethovens Mass in C Major, Rutters Requiem, Mahlers Symphony VIII (with the MSO and Sir Andrew Davis), Beethovens Choral Fantasy and much more!! There is also a tour to Queensland on offer, as well as performances at festivals and collaborations with several of Melbournes leading choirs and professional orchestras. JOIN UP NOW! 2020 MUCS MEMBERSHIP NOW OPEN www.mucs.org.au Be a part of a great choir!

21.01.2022 Despite a few late departures from Melbourne due to smoke haze and low visibility, avoid number of MUCS members started descending on Munich via all sorts of stopover cities a day or so before the tour officially starts. The weather is unusually clear and warm here in Munich, and after settling in the new (and rather flash) hotel at Olympiapark, a few of those who survived their long flights well entured into town on the U Bahn for a pre tour meal in Munich. We decided on a... traditional Bavarian meal at Rathskeller Mnchen. Opened in 1874, the restaurant is a famous eating house in Munich, and very atmospheric. Built in a neo Gothic architectural style by Georg von Hauberisser, the vast restaurant features a series of some 15 halls and rooms built underground in the old wine and beer cellars under the spectacular Neues Rathaus (Munichs City Hall). Crammed with wood carvings, sculptures and paintings, the restaurant boasts over 1100 seats, and if you like traditional Bavarian food, the menu doesnt disappoint either! A lovely way to start our time here in Germany.

20.01.2022 Some more photos from our last morning in Salzburg! After we had performed at the Salzburger Dom, we enjoyed a little bit of time to wander the charming streets of the old town and enjoy the beautiful bright blue sky and sunshine we have blessed with so far on this tour. There was time for some last minute shopping, a visit to a local Bruhaus or Restaurant for hot soup or sausages, coffee and cakes in one of Salzburgs famed coffee houses, a ride in a horse drawn carriage, ...or just the opportunity to breathe in the crisp clear air and soak up a little more of the amazing sense of history that this beautiful city exudes. After walking back to Nonntal in the shadow of Nonnberg Abbey, where our coach was waiting for us. We then departed in a south westerly direction to the Astrian. city of Innsbruck, aproximately 3 hours drive, via St Johann in Tirol, Wgl, Schwaz and Absam. We arrived at our charming Hotel Dollinger, at the base of the Nordkette mountain and enjoyed another lovely dinner and great hospitality. As a nice surprise we also caught up with the one and only Greta (one of our fabulous guides from previous European tours), and a merry time was had by all.

20.01.2022 MUCS rehearsals have resumed! Tonight we will be exploring the music of Beethoven and Brahms. We look forward to welcoming back many of our returning members, and meeting some of our new 2020 members! Wednesday 26 February ... 6.45pm at the Frewin Room of St Marys College, Swanston St, Parkville. Online memberships now due: www.mucs.org.au Take advantage of the Special O Week $5 annual membership available for new students - this week only. Be a part of a great student choir. Highlights include Beethovens Mass in C, Brahms Shicksalslied (Song of Destiny), Rutter Requiem, a Queensland tour, Mahler Symphony VIII (with the MSO), Carols in St Pauls Cathedral and more!!

19.01.2022 January 22. Another massive, inspiring and memorable day. Began in Rome at the great Colosseum under brilliant clear skies. Incredible to think it was built from the year AD 72 and completed in AD 80 under Titus. We enjoyed a fantastic tour with our wonderful guide Loradina, and then a long wander through the Forum Romanum. Eventually everyone took their own time to get back to the hotel, some walked back after climbing The Palatine Hill, and some used the Metro, before we al...Continue reading

18.01.2022 An Easter message from our friends at the RMP, including a little bit of Messiah to brighten up our Easter Day.

16.01.2022 During our time in the Southern Tyrol we also enjoyed a day in Bolzano, the Capital of the province, set in a valley amid hilly vineyards. Its a gateway to the Dolomites mountain range in the Italian Alps. In the medieval city center, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology features the Neolithic mummy called tzi the Iceman, but sadly the museum was closed when we were visiting. Nearby is the imposing 13th-century Mareccio Castle, and the Duomo di Bolzano, with its Romanesq...Continue reading

16.01.2022 As members of MUCS continued to gather in Munich, a group journeyed into the heart of the Bavarian capital to enjoy a short welcome to Munich walking tour, led by Herr Wailes. We began in front of the Neues Rathaus, in Marienplatz which has been the citys main square since 1158. Marienplatz was named after the Mariensule, a column bearing a golden statue of the Virgin Mary erected in its centre in 1638 to celebrate the end of Swedish occupations S survival of the plague. T...Continue reading

15.01.2022 Saturday January 25 began with a walk from our lovely hotel to the centre of old Florence, where we had priority entry to the world famous Galleria dellAccademia di Firenze, or "Gallery of the Academy of Florence", one of the worlds most important art museums. We walked past the Palace of the Medici, and their private garden, and arrived just in time to be the first group welcomed to the Accademia, which was founded in 1784 by Pietro Leopoldo, Grand Duke of Tuscany, with th...Continue reading

15.01.2022 After a wonderful series of Carols concerts in St Paul's Cathedral last weekend, MUCS will finish the year by performing the music for the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve at St John's Anglican Church, (86 Clendon Road, Toorak Victoria 3142) at 11pm on Tuesday 24 December. All welcome. The choir will be conducted by Andrew Wailes, and joined by Majestic Brass and Director of Music at St John's Christopher Cook on the organ. We will perform a lovely selection of traditional Ch...ristmas music, including rousing carols like 'O Come All Ye Faithful, 'It Came Upon the Midnight Clear', 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' by Sir David Willcocks, as well as Handel's 'Hallelujah' Chorus and 'Joy to the World', Herbert Howells'Here is the Little Door', Trevor Manor's 'This Night My Heart Rejoices', and Sally De Ford's 'He is Born the Child Divine'. The service music will be by Harold Darke in F Major and Michael Dudman. All friends and families welcome, and if you would like to join in the choir, please arrive by 9pm for rehearsal in the church. To everyone, a very Merry Christmas from MUCS!

15.01.2022 It is hard for us to comprehend that this incredible tour is nearly over, but in true MUCS style, our last full day of activities in Italy was another one packed with amazing highlights. Located in the sleepy little burg of Novacella, in the Isarco River Valley, the Italian Abbazia Novacella (known in German as Neustift Abbey or in Italian as Abazzia di Novacella), was founded in 1142 by the Augustinian Order of Canons Regular. One of the most important monasteries in t...Continue reading

14.01.2022 It was a fantastic first MUCS rehearsal of the academic year tonight, and over 100 singers were sounding amazing! Purcell, Bruckner, Beethoven and Brahms already sounding pretty impressive! Bravo everyone, youre already sounding great! Its terrific to have you at MUCS, and we look forward to getting to know you all better over the coming weeks and months. ... Its going to be an awesome year for MUCS and we are glad you are going to be a part of it! See you next Wednesday at 6.45pm at the Frewin Room of St Marys College. If youre yet to formally join, you can pay your membership online at www.mucs.org.au New members always welcome, so if you didnt make it this week, wed love to welcome you next Wednesday.

14.01.2022 Innsbruck is the capital city of Tyrol and the fifth-largest city in Austria. It is in the Inn valley, at its junction with the Wipp valley, located in the broad valley between high mountains, the so-called North Chain in the Karwendel Alps (Hafelekarspitze, 7,657 feet) to the north, and the Patscherkofel (7,369 ft) and Serles (8,917 ft) to the south. The name translates as Bridge over the River Inn and the River Inn runs through the city. The city is surrounded by mountai...ns, including the Nordkette which we conquered in the morning. In the afternoon we spent our time basking in the sunshine and wandering the streets of this beautiful and historic citys Altstadt (old city centre), which dates back over 1000 years. Some of the places we visited included, The Imperial Hofburg (Kaiserliche Hofburg), the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), The Old Inn Bridge (Alte Innbrcke), Ambras Castle, the City Hall (Stadtsaal), Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), Maria-Theresien-Strae, Maximilians Cenotaph and the Black Men (Schwarzen Mnner), the Old Federal State Parliament (Altes Landhaus) Silver Chapel (Silberne Kapelle), City Tower (Stadtturm), Triumphal Arch (Triumphpforte) and the Tyrolean State Theatre. There are many beautiful churches in Innsbruck, but none more spectacular than the Innsbruck Cathedral (Dom zu St. Jakob) which is truly magnificent. Here are some photos of beautiful Innsbruck.

11.01.2022 After departing Florence, we headed north, toward the Austro-Italian Alps, to the South Tyrol Alpine City of Merano, known for its spas and beautiful art nouveau buildings. Behind the town, Sissis Path leads to the Trauttmansdorff Castle, with its terraced gardens which rise steeply above the town and look over the 15th century Cathedral of St Nicholas. One of the interesting things about this region is that many of the towns are trilingual - most people speak German and I...talian, and a minority also speak Ladin (an old mountain dialect), and a little English. Both the German (Meran) and the Italian (Merano) name for the city are used in English. The Ladin form of the name is Maran. The official name of the municipality (comune) is Stadtgemeinde Meran in German and Comune di Merano in Italian (both are in official use). Among the citys landmarks are the medieval city gates such as the Vinschgauer Tor, Passeirer Tor, and the Bozener Tor. Also belonging to the fortifications is the medieval Ortenstein tower, popularly called Pulverturm (lit. "powder tower"). The main churches in Merano are the Gothic St. Nicholas Church and the St. Barbaras Chapel, both dating to the 15th century. Also dating to this period is the Princely Castle (Landesfrstliche Burg), which was a residence of Archduke Sigismund of Austria. The Steinerner Steg stone bridge crosses the Passer River and dates to the 17th century. The city saw further development as it became increasingly popular as a spa resort. Dating from the 19th century are the Civic Theatre, the Kurhaus and the Empress Elisabeth Park. Another highlight is the Marano Therme, on if Europes largest thermal spa resorts. A perfect way to unwind after a day walking in the mountains and alpine towns.

11.01.2022 After enjoying some warming Glhwein at Karlsplatz, we headed East towards Odeonsplatz, in front of the Residenz (Munichs Royal Palace), opposite the bright yellow Theatinerkirche, and the Feldherrnhalle, an important and historic site where Hitler famously reviewed his troops upon his rise to absolute power in Germany. Before that the square was the scene of a fatal gun battle which ended the march on the Feldherrnhalle during the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch (a failed coup dta...t by the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler to seize power in Munich, in 1923. The Theatinerkirche of St. Kajetan is another spectacular Catholic church in Munich. It was built from 1663 to 1690, by Elector Ferdinand Maria of Bavaria, and his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, as a gesture of thanks for the birth of the long-awaited heir to the Bavarian crown, Prince Max Emanuel, in 1662. There was then a visit to the Viktualianmarkt for some tasty Bavarian treats, including all types of sausages, roasted meats, leberkse (a popular type of German meatloaf made of corned beef, pork and bacon usually served hot in a fresh bread roll with lots of mustard), local beers, cheeses, hot nuts, warm pretzels and delicious cakes and pastries. People eventually took to the U Bahn and made their way back to the hotel where the 2020 MUCS tour formally began, with check in for those who arrived during the day,and those or who had stayed the previous night elsewhere. After a few hours to rest up, nap, shop, sightsee some more or just relax and enjoy the hotels facilities we all met our fabulous tour Guide Eva and our cheery coach driver Simmy (who are both veterans of previous MUCS tours), and in the evening we all boarded our coach for the first time and enjoyed a lovely meal of rich Bavarian mushroom soup, roast beef with potato dumplings and gravy, all washed down with local beers and a huge slab of Black Forrest Cherry Cake at the restaurant of Augustiner-Bru, first established in 1328, and Munichs oldest independent brewery. A wonderful start to the 2020 MUCS tour, with everyone having arrived safely in time to enjoy our first official tour meal together. Tomorrow we give our first performance, a short lunchtime recital in the great Cathedral of Munich, known locally as the Frauenkirche. A great honour for us and one we all look forward to.

11.01.2022 As many of the MUCS members who are participating in the choirs tour to Europe are either in transit or about to depart we wish them all safe travels as they descend on Munich, Germany for the start of the tour. Over the next three and a half weeks, MUCS are extremely honored to have been invited to sing in such famous places as the Munichs Frauenkirche; Salzburg Cathedral; St Michaels Basilica in Mondsee; Church of Sant Elena (Cathedral Santa Maria Matricolare) in Verona...; the Basilica of Abbazia di Novacella / Neustift Abbey; and will perform evening mass at the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (St Pietro in Vaticano) in Rome - the largest church in the world! MUCS will also perform exchange concerts in the Chiesa di San Michele, Serra de Conti with Coro Francesco Tomassini; and also team up with Coro San Giovanni Battista Citt di Cassino, for a visit to the famous Cathedral of Montecassino Abbey and an exchange concert. A third exchange concert will be with the Choir of Sesto Fiorentina in Florence. Other cities to be visited include Innsbruck, Bologna, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Pisa, Merano and Bolzano. Bon Voyage everyone!

11.01.2022 Our friends at The RMP Choir are pleased to be opening the 2020 3MBS Beethoven Music Marathon at Melbourne Recital Centre on Sunday 23 February. Andrew Wailes conducts the RMP Choir and 3MBS Symphony Orchestra, as well as four outstanding soloists, in a performance of Beethovens glorious Mass in C Major Op.86 MUCS will be performing this stunning work in May at St Pauls Cathedral, so this will be a marvellous opportunity to hear the work performed live.

10.01.2022 Day 7 part two, Tuesday 14 Jan. In the evening MUCS had the honour of being given a private tour of the Verona Cathedral (Cattedrale Santa Maria Matricolare) by the Bishop of Verona before we performed the music for the mass. The Cathedral of Verona was erected after two Palaeo-Christian churches on the same site had been destroyed by an earthquake in 1117. Built in Romanesque style, the cathedral was consecrated in 1187. The structure was later modified by several renova...tion interventions, although the plan has remained unchanged. The current appearance of the interior dates from the 15th-century renovations. It has a nave and two aisles divided by tall pilasters in red Verona marble, which support Gothic arcades. The first three chapels on each side are in the same style, and house mostly Renaissance artworks by Veronese artists. The Chapter Library of Verona Cathedral (Biblioteca Capitolare della Cattedrale di Verona) is one of the worlds oldest libraries in continuous function. The more modest church of SantElena occupies the area on which the first Christian place of worship in Verona was built by Bishop Zeno in the 4th century. Seriously damaged by the earthquake of 1117, it was quickly rebuilt and consecrated by the patriarch Pellegrino in 1140 . The Church of SantElena is to the left of the main cathedral building, looking out over a small courtyard and joined by the vestry. The interior of the church has a single nave covered with a wooden trussed ceiling. In the middle of the nave, within two opposing arched niches, there are two side altars. built in the sixteenth century and renovated in the eighteenth century. The presbytery has, along the two side walls, the carved wooden stalls of the choir, dating back to the fifteenth century; in the center of the area a large opening has been created in the floor to allow a view of the floor and foundations of the ancient 4th century basilica. In the quadrangular apse, there is the Baroque high altar. It was there, overlooking the Roman ruins that MUCS stood and performed the Evening Mass in this beautiful, intimate and overwhelmingly important historic place. As the Bishop reminded us, we were all literally standing on the place where Christianity began here in Verona in 362 AD. After the mass we gave a short performance much to the delight of the Bishop and local audience, including a lovely organ solo by organist David Macfarlane on the churchs pipe organ, built in 1964 by Libero Rino Pinchi and restored in 2007 by Diego Bonato. We then walked back through the ancient city in the dark, and back across the Ponte Pietra (Italian for "Stone Bridge"), is a Roman arch bridge crossing the Adige River completed in 100 BC , the oldest bridge in Verona. Yet another unforgettable experience for us all.

10.01.2022 LAST TICKETS FOR CAROLS IN THE CATHEDRAL NOW ON SALE! If you are yet to book your tickets to Carols, hurry! Last seats now on sale, and Saturday afternoons concert close to selling out already, so be quick to secure your seats! Join conductor Andrew Wailes, and over 150 musicians of the RMP Choir, Melbourne University Choral Society, The Australian Childrens Choir, soprano Lee Abrahmsen, tenor Louis Hurley, harpist Jacinta Dennett, readers Roland Rocchiccioli and Julie Houg...hton, accompanists Stefan Cassomenos and Dean Sky-Lucas, as well as majestic brass, strings, percussion and woodwinds in Melbournes premier concerts of traditional Christmas music, performed in the stunning setting of St Pauls Cathedral. Friday 20 Dec at 8.30pm Saturday 21 Dec at 3pm Saturday 21 Dec at 8pm Book now to avoid disappointment! Likely to sell out. www.rmp.org.au Join the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/414790012770554/

10.01.2022 This evening 11th January, MUCS had the great honour of performing music for the Mass and a short recital afterwards at the magnificent Basilica of St Michael in Mondsee, Austria. The basilica St. Michael is the cultural and spiritual heart of the Mondsee region. This gothic former Benadictine monastery was founded in the year 748 by Odilo, Duke of Bavaria. The abbey tradition was that the first monks came from Monte Cassino in Italy. This magnificent late gothic church was c...onstructed in the 15th century under the direction of abbot Benedikt Eck and is the second biggest church in Upper Austria. Its two towers stretch 52m into the sky. Lavishly decorated with one of Europes most spectacular high altars and dozens of epic Gothic and Baroque altars and monuments, it is a truly magnificent church. Inside, the most famous resident of the Mondsee Basilica is the skeleton of Abbot Konrad II, who was killed in 1145 defending the monastery from noblemen who wanted to repossess the land... his skeleton is housed in a glass section of the high altar, surrounded by other relics and encased in gold. The Mondsee Basilica reached international fame because the wedding scene in the movie "Sound of Music" with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer was filmed inside it. For this reason at least in part, more than 200.000 people visit the church every year, making it one of the most photographed churches all over the world. Pope John Paul II declared the church a basilica in 2005. In 2009 the church was reopened after a huge restoration, which ended in the Basilica being declared "Austrias monument of the year". The Evening Mass began with a formal procession from the back of the Basilica, and featured clergy, lay clergy, bells, processional music on the great organ, a cantor, MUCS providing music for the mass as well as three motets by Sandra Millikan, Christopher Willcock, Harry Koning, and Gabriel Faur accompanied on the choir organ by David Macfarlane, soloist / conductor Andrew Wailes and a surprisingly large congregation for an evening mass . After the Mass had ended, the choir then performed a number of other works by Henry Purcell, Camille Saint Sens, Mozart, and Palastrina. The magnificent acoustics and stunning setting made this a most memorable performance. A wonderful preparation for tomorrows High Mass at concert at Salzburgs great Cathedral.

10.01.2022 MUCS are looking forward to several wonderful exchange concerts during its 2020 European tour, including this event hosted by the Coro Francesco Tomassini in Le Marche!

10.01.2022 MUCS Response to COVID -19 pandemic As you are aware, the world is currently facing the challenge of a global pandemic. As a consequence of recent developments in the fight against the COVID-19 Virus, all MUCS rehearsals and events are now suspended, effective immediately, until at least Wednesday 22 April. ... This includes the previously advertised Wine and Cheese function which was scheduled to take place this week. All members will be contacted if this period needs to be extended upon the advice of the University, the Government, and the relevant Health Officials. The wellbeing of our members and the wider community is of paramount importance to us. All MUCS members have been sent an important document relating to the COVID-19 Virus. It outlines ways to prevent the spread of the virus, and ways to minimise risk of infection at this difficult time.This document has been prepared in consultation with medical experts, and Government information agencies. Whilst arrangements beyond April are unclear at this stage, it is highly likely that our May performance will need to be postpone, but rest assured you will be notified as soon as this is possible. This next period is going to be a challenge for us all, but as MUCS has previously demonstrated throughout its more than 80 year history (through wars, similar epidemics and other challenges), there is always a way forward, and things will eventually get better. In the meantime we will endeavour to find ways to cope as best we can with the challenges presented. We ask for your patience, co-operation and support at this stressful and very difficult time. MUCS will provide all members with regular updates via email and our Facebook Group and FB Public Page as information changes or becomes available. In the meantime, please stay safe and look after yourselves and eachother.

10.01.2022 Another magnificent sacred building in Bologna is the impressive Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. The Sanctuary is a basilica church in Bologna, sited atop a forested hill known as the Colle or Monte della Guardia, some 300 metres above the city plain, just south-west of the historical centre of the city. The present church was constructed in 1723. A church or chapel existed on the hill for about a thousand years. Tradition hold that in the 12th-century, a pilgrim from ...Continue reading

09.01.2022 Today MUCS had the great honour of performing the music for the High Mass for the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord at the great Salzburger Dom. Formally known as Cathedral of Saints Rupert and Vergilius, Salzburg Cathedral is a magnificent seventeenth-century Baroque cathedral built where Saint Rupert founded the church in 774 on the remnants of a Roman town. The cathedral was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire. In the seventeenth century, the cathedral was completely rebuilt in t...Continue reading

09.01.2022 A selection of photographs taken during the MUCS tour to Germany, Austria and Italy in January 2020. More will be added over time.

08.01.2022 Day 7, Tuesday 14 Jan. After an amazing buffet dinner, an impressive breakfast, and a good nights sleep at our four star Verona Hotel Antares, we set off on a guided tour of the citys historic sights. The Venetian City of Verona on the Adige River in Veneto, is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the second largest city municipality in the region and the third largest in northeast Italy. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy bec...Continue reading

08.01.2022 As many of the MUCS members who are participating in the choir's tour to Europe are either in transit or about to depart we wish them all safe travels as they descend on Munich, Germany for the start of the tour. Over the next three and a half weeks, MUCS are extremely honored to have been invited to sing in such famous places as the Munichs Frauenkirche; Salzburg Cathedral; St Michael's Basilica in Mondsee; Church of Sant Elena (Cathedral Santa Maria Matricolare) in Verona...; the Basilica of Abbazia di Novacella / Neustift Abbey; and will perform evening mass at the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican (St Pietro in Vaticano) in Rome - the largest church in the world! MUCS will also perform exchange concerts in the Chiesa di San Michele, Serra de Conti with Coro Francesco Tomassini; and also team up with Coro San Giovanni Battista Città di Cassino, for a visit to the famous Cathedral of Montecassino Abbey and an exchange concert. A third exchange concert will be with the Choir of Sesto Fiorentina in Florence. Other cities to be visited include Innsbruck, Bologna, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Pisa, Merano and Bolzano. Bon Voyage everyone!

08.01.2022 After an early start in Salzburg, we were all thrilled to spend a few hours insude our gorgeous little hotel in Innsbruck, the Hotel Dollinger situated at the base of the Nordkette. Most of us had amazing views from our rooms, either toward the snow covered mountains, or the River Inn which runs through the city. After another amazing breakfast, we all rugged up and for the first time went looking for our gloves, and warmest clothes. We then departed for the Congress station ...of the Innsbrucker Nordketten Bahnen, and rode the ultra modern Hungerburgbahn funicular from Innsbrucks old town, to the Hungerburg Alpine Cable Car. A short walk across Hermann Bull Square ( named after the world famous Austrian mountaineer) leads to the cable car station. From there we continued our journey up to the very top of Innsbruck at the Hafelekar (7400 feet). From there it was possible to walk up to the Haafelkarspitze, but for most thee chance to experience the breathtaking views from the Karwendelblick viewing point and the Innsbruckblickviewing point was more than enough. Breathtaking is the only way of describing the beauty of this place. A lifetime highlight for many Australians. We then spent several hours eating and drinking, watching the championship downhill skiers, admiring the locals and sun baking at the slightly lower cloud 9 igloo bar, or the Restaurant Karlstube.

07.01.2022 Sunday 26 January, we all enjoyed a slightly unusual Australia Day here in Italy, visiting one of the worlds most famous tourism destinations, the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa, (the Square of Miracles) in the Tuscan city of Pisa. The area was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Unusually, the piazza (square) is not located right smack bang in the center of the city as you might imagine if would be, but along the north western edge of the citys fortified wall...Continue reading

06.01.2022 LOOKING FOR A GREAT CHOIR? JOIN MUCS! Established in 1939, Melbourne University Choral Society (MUCS) has a proud tradition of choral performance, and is widely regarded as one of Melbournes finest large choirs. Under the direction of award-winning conductor Andrew Wailes, MUCS performs fantastic repertoire, across a wide variety of styles. MUCS is not only open to all Melbourne University students, but also members of the wider community who wish to be a part of a large and... friendly ensemble. Having just returned from a triumphant tour of Europe which saw MUCS perform in magnificent venues including St Peters Basilica at the Vatican and Salzburg Cathedral, 2020 will see MUCS perform masterworks including Beethovens "Mass in C Major Op.86" and "Choral Fantasy", Brahms "Shicksalslied" (Song of Destiny), John Rutters beautiful "Requiem" and Mahlers epic "Symphony VIII" (Symphony of a Thousand) with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Sir Andrew Davis! The choir will also tour to Queensland and also enjoys a great social calendar throughout the year. To join, visit: www.mucs.org.au. Rehearsals commence Wednesday 19 February, at 6.45pm Frewin Room, St Marys College, Parkville, Be a part of MUCS... you wont regret it!

05.01.2022 Today (Thurs 9 Jan) the choir departed the hotel after a magnificent German Frstck of eggs, a vast array of cold cut meats and cheeses, result baked bread and bread rolls of all varieties, berries, yogurts, beautiful jams and preserves, fruit salad and fruit juices, tea and coffee. We enjoyed a bus tour of some of Munichs major sites, starting with the impressive Olympiapark stadia facilities constructed for the 1972 Summer Olympics. Located in the Oberwiesenfeld neighbor...Continue reading

04.01.2022 A lovely review from the operachaser! http://operachaser.blogspot.com//royal-melbourne-philharmo

04.01.2022 On the morning of Friday 10th we departed our beautiful hotel in Munich in bright sunshine and headed to the historic Bavarian city of Rosenheim. The picturesque Max-Josefs-Platz, the market square, is surrounded by gorgeous arcades, charming little cafes and centuries-old townhouses. The town boasts a number of beautiful churches, and many of the colourful and highly decorated buildings still used today in the old centre of the town date back to the 1300s. A highlight of ou...Continue reading

03.01.2022 More images of beautiful Florence.