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Vaticano

...was MAGNIFICO

We processed from the hotel in two lines. It was a good 15-20 minutes walk and we attracted considerable attention. Once we had arrived at the meeting place in the Piazza in front of the Basilica we were due to be met by Charli our guide. She was not there. We were early. So we did what we do best. We sang. Away in a Manger first, followed by our rehearsal of Anerio's O Bone Jesu which we were due to sing in the service and had not yet rehearsed, and a rendition of Waltzing Matilda. It was our best attended performance of the whole tour. There will be better pictures than mine as I only had a pocket camera.


Thereafter we made our way, in procession into the Vatican. We had to wait for some time once we had arrived as we were 50 minutes early and not allowed to practise.

There were two blokes who kept fussing around Josh and the organ. One was an organist and the other was the Head of Music for the Vatican. The latter was very, very impressed with Josh. He "allowed" Joshie to play four pieces before the Mass. Usually lucky to be allowed to play one. He also pinched and copied one of his pieces and insisted that Josh played the Widor at the end of the service. A fitting tribute to our Josh.


The Mass this evening was very well attended and positively received. More later but now I must sleep, as we leave tomorrow.

Dear Reader, thank you for your support over the last three n a bit weeks. A Tour Summary will appear from Oz in about 2 days.  Cxxx

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