As the Vienna Symphony Orchestra performed, the achingly delicate strains of the violin virtuoso floated magically through the air like a bird soaring effortlessly on the thermal winds. At the Vienna State Opera House, Rigoletto’s rich baritone vibrated with horror as he realized the curse bestowed upon him had been fulfilled. These were but two of the highlights of a musical exploration through Europe’s most musical cities, enjoyed by friends of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra this summer.

This musically-themed tour was a fundraiser for the Richmond Symphony Orchestra (RSO), with a tax-deductible donation included in the tour price. The trip was escorted by Josée Covington, president and CEO of Covington Travel, and Dee Dee White, meeting professional and tour director extraordinaire with Covington’s Meetings & Events division. Steven Smith, Music Director of the Richmond Symphony, also traveled with the group of enthusiasts, imparting his vast knowledge of composers and their music along the way.

Tom Van Auken, a participant on the trip said, “Steven Smith knows a tremendous amount about music history and the development of music. Having him share stories and insights during impromptu chats added a lot to the trip. It was enjoyable getting to know him.” Another traveler, Betsy Wollan, Chairperson, Statewide Board of the Virginia Opera, said, “Steven Smith really made the trip special. In addition to talking about music, he told us about the history and acoustics of the theaters and little-known details that only a true aficionado knows.”

The itinerary included visits to Prague, Czech Republic; Budapest, Hungary; and Vienna, Austria a major center of classical music development. Prague was home to renowned composers such as Vivaldi, Smetana, Dvořák and Wagner, and visited by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Chopin, among others. Hungary boasts Liszt and Bartók as their own. Numerous classical composers worked and lived in Vienna – too many to list – but, a few of the historical greats include Beethoven, Brahms, Strauss, Hayden, Schubert, and of course, Mozart.

Mrs. Wollan reflected, ”The cities we visited are so steeped in music; it’s part of their national culture. Every person seems to be a musician or music is a central part of his or her life. If you love music, it’s exhilarating to be in a capital where the state clearly supports the cultural icons.”

For most, the unquestioned highlight of the trip was the Vienna State Opera superb performance of Rigoletto. Josée Covington said, “It was a treat for eyes and ears. The Opera House is beautiful and well maintained, with every seat filled for every performance.” The group had wonderful box seats for the performance, adding to the cachet of the event.

Another outstanding musical highlight was a marvelous performance of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under a young, internationally known French conductor, Lionel Bringuier. A brilliant violin virtuoso, Arabella Steinbacher, played a Sergei Prokofiev composition, followed by the symphony performing Dvořák’s New World Symphony.

Folk and local musician performances were included, as well. Mr. Van Auken said, “On this trip, it was not, ‘What did you see?’ but ‘What did you hear?’ Music was the key to everything we did! During free time in Prague, my wife and I enjoyed the Czech Museum of Music that had an incredible collection of musical instruments over time.” The tour also included visiting the historical homes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Liszt to see their manuscripts, instruments, and where they created music.

Other side trips between the major cities included Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart; the Czech UNESCO city of Český Krumlov; and pedestrian-only, 18th-century old town Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
For devotees of classical music and supporters of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, this was a unique and outstanding trip. The opportunities to learn more about music from Steven Smith’s spontaneous discourses and experience exceptional performances first hand gave participants a well-rounded overture to Europe’s most musical cities.

If your organization has a passion for music – or baseball or gardens or origami – Covington Meetings & Events is ready to help you design engaging trips for groups of any size around any interest. It can be a fundraiser for your organization, a social event, or an in depth exploration of your favorite things. Contact Covington Meetings & Events to find out more.