BLOG: CHORAL CRUISING DOWN THE FRENCH RIVIERA

Read Bob’s Blog about the Brandenburg Choral Cruise down the French Riviera which took place from Saturday 20 May to Saturday 27 May 2023.

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Saturday 20 May…

We flew to Marseille yesterday to get to the ship lunchtime today.

It’s our first time on Vasco da Gama and it is WONDERFUL. Five-star luxury.

We had our first rehearsal and, considering being a scratch group, who were up at the crack of sparrows’ chirp, all really cream-crackered and surrounded by soft furnishings, it was actually okay!

We were joined by the ship’s resident cocktail pianist, Alex, who asked if he could sing bass!

For a warm-up we sang Bob’s iconic Cruise Round (courtesy of Mr Tallis) and rehearsed Ave Verum. Familiar to most, but we did some good work.

Friday’s Gala Performance is going to be FAB!

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Sunday 21 May…

Woke up in St Tropez. Delighted to have Michelle Daniels (Commercial Director of Light Blue Travel) here with us.

Settling in with a new cruise company could throw up a few problems, but the Nicko team have been brilliant in accommodating us within the general schedule and having Michelle here with us for the first couple of day has been a bonus – not least because she is a very strong Alto in an internationally award-winning Ladies Barbershop Choir, so she really gets it!

We had a quick pop into St Tropez for lunch and then rehearsal two.

This time we were joined by a bunch of German singers, some of whom settled in really well.

We now have a repertoire!

Bob’s Cruise Round
Ave Verum
The Long Day Closes

Still work to do – but it sounds like a choir!

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Monday 22 May…

Woke up in Cannes – ready for the Film Festival, but somehow my invitation seems to have got lost in the post.

Never mind, the sun came out and we all went to Cannes (most of these ship-to-shore transfers are by small tender boats) and met Emilie from the Camino days, which was lovely.

A smattering of German guests joined the choir again today, and a new repertoire addition was Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” It is a great sing, and a splendid contrast to our other pieces.

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Tuesday 23 May…

We were docked outside Villefranche today so another tender transfer.

It is a little gem! Beautiful and quiet.

Kenna and I loved it so much we are planning a return for our honeymoon in August

Vasco da Gama is a really lovely ship. It is run by Nicko Cruises which is a German company – of the 800 passengers, there are c. 40 English speakers, most of whom are Brandenburg guests.

It’s therefore pretty ironic that there is a group called Brandenburg from London on a German ship!

We have been joined by more German guests and everyone is having a great time. New repertoire today was to add the well-known setting of “The Lord is my Shepherd” by Howard Goodall.

Choir still sounding great!

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Wednesday 24 May…

We’re off to sunny Corsica!

We started our day moored outside Calvi, a pretty little seaside town, where we enjoyed a cracking lunch – well, if you are to stick to the 10,000 calories a day regime, you can’t let up for a moment!

We have also acquired the ship’s jazz pianist and cabaret singer in the choir – luckily we have print facility so new scores are not a problem.

We started the familiar arrangement of Bach/Gounod Ave Maria; well familiar to some! We had to work hard yesterday but it will bed-in soon, I’m sure.

The post-rehearsal evening consisted of a special Curry Night (very good indeed – nothing like a Ruby Murray to further enhance a smile) and then, for those who were inclined, an hour late-night party-singing with Alex (the ship’s Cabaret pianist).

This involved a whole bunch of Brandenburg Cruisers belting out ABBA, Neil Diamond, Simon and Garfunkel, plus bit of terribly done Queen!

This stands in contrast (ahem) to our repertoire, which now includes:

Bob’s Cruise Round (Thomas Tallis)
Ave Verum
The Long Day Closes
Hallelujah
The Lord is My Shepherd
Bach/Gounod Ave Maria

Captain’s Log: Stardate, Thursday 25 May…

Today we enjoyed a quick visit into Ajaccio for a beer, to buy some specialist Corsican sausages, and to wonder the town. It’s a more bustling place than Calvi but very nice with some lovely markets.

This was our final rehearsal day, and we have settled on a repertoire of five pieces for tomorrow:

Mozart Ave Verum Corpus
Goodall Lord is my Shepherd
Bach/Gounod Ave Maria
Sulllivan The Long Day Closes
Cohen Hallelujah

What a great team – the Brits, some Germans who strolled into a rehearsal and never left, three of the cabaret musicians from the ship, and, of course our incomparable accompanist Alison!

It is really coming together and we are set to give a great performance!