MSO Italy performance Group on top of the Fortress.

Day 6, Wednesday, April 6, 2016: Day is a travel day from Florence to Cremona with a performance in Livorno, Prestazoni a Livorno.

Our day began with a short one and half – two hour drive to Livorno, on the north western Italian coast of the Ligurian Sea. We arrived in Livorno before lunch, so the group had  free time to explore the coast, eat on their own, shop, etc. Most of us enjoyed the very sunny day on the ocean with lunch on shoreline.

Early in the afternoon we met by our gracious host, Mr. Andrea Pellegrini, at the 14th century Fortezza Vecchio. We made our way through the fortress to performance room. The orchestra rehearsed and the remainder of the group explored the the rest of the fortress.

The fortress is being restored, into a more of a tourist friendly site and community use. The fortress has long history of use since the 14th century on the coast and has stood guarding Livorno. The fortress and Livorno received extensive damage during WWII in pre-invasion Allied bombing. For more information on the history of the fortress visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Fortress,_Livorno

After rehearsal Mr. Pellegrini took us across the channel for an amazing pizza dinner. We were able to see the pizza get hand tossed and made. Very good pizza!!!

We made our way back to the fortress for a pre concert reception. The concert in the fortress included a performance from the Livorno Municipal Concert Band. They are an amazing band and gracious hosts. After Livorno Municipal Band Performance Mona Shores took the stage playing various music from the US & Italian National Anthems to music from Italian Composers to some American classics. Below are a links to two of the pieces Mona Shores performed.

Shenandoah and America The Beautiful:

Stars and Stripes Forever:

At the after concert reception the students and members of the Livorno Municipal Band were able to meet and talk. It was a short reception because of our long drive/late check in to Cremona. I think all would have like the the reception to last longer.

Note: Pictures and details of the trip will be posted over the next several days in chronological order of the trip.

More pictures of Day1-6 are on our Flickr Italy Group Page.