VIVA VIVALDI FESTIVAL SINGERSCONCERT TOUROF ITALYMAY 22-31 2025
It is with great excitement that I invite you to join us on aspectacular journey through the heart of Italy with our May2025 “Viva Vivaldi” choir tour. As your conductor, I amdelighted to lead you in performances of Antonio Vivaldi’simmortal Gloria in D Major, with orchestra, in some of themost culturally significant and breathtaking venues in Rome,Assisi and Venice. Vivaldi, an illustrious son of Venice, craftedmusic that transcends time and place. Our tour aims to bring his spirit to life as we traverse the verystreets and churches that inspired his genius. Come add yourvoice as we make great music in spectacular places andcreate memories that will last a lifetime! Sincerely,Hello!Hailed as “filled with Italianate passion” by the HuffingtonPost and “a conductor to watch” by Symphony Magazine,Jason C. Tramm’s work in the choral, symphonic andoperatic realms have received critical acclaim throughoutthe United States and abroad. He currently serves asDirector of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University, MusicDirector of the Putnam Chorale, Music Director of theTaghkanic Chorale and Director of Music Ministries of theOcean Grove Great Auditorium. A sought-after guestconductor, he has led symphonic and operaticperformances in Italy, Romania, Hungary and Albania.
About ACFEASince 1955, ACFEA Tour Consultants has been creating custom tours for performingarts groups throughout the world. As accomplished musicians, our staff know firsthand the special needs and concernsyour group may have when touring abroad. When we combine that experience withour global network of travel experts and concert representatives, we’re able to createopportunities for life-changing experiences worldwide.Tours designed by ACFEA are tailor-made to fit each group, reflecting thatensemble’s unique interests, abilities and expectations. We can incorporate elementslike festivals or exchanges into itineraries, as well as competitions, homestays,philanthropic opportunities, and countless other special touches – all made possibleby the practice of responding to each group’s particular objectives. We are dedicatedto designing an exceptional tour for every group, whether it be a veteran of manycollaborations with ACFEA or one taking its first step into the world of touring.Concert tours can be powerful tools for fostering real connection betweenindividuals, groups, and communities. Believing in equity and inclusion for all is aprerequisite for this, so we strive to function as an anti-racist and inclusiveorganization, and we embrace diversity and promote accessibility throughout thetour planning process.About our Tour ManagerCurrently in her 24th year with ACFEA, Amanda Bauman is a Senior TourManager in the Philadelphia office. She has been performing in bands andchoirs her entire life, including several ensembles at her alma mater,Duquesne University, and the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, for which she alsoserved as board member for several years. Amanda most recently has sung inthe Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.
What‘s to See? • Guided sightseeing tour ofAncient Rome• Entrance to the Colosseum andRoman Forum• Entrance to the VaticanMuseum and Sistine ChapelOur Tour ItineraryOur day-by-day itinerary will follow these pages, but here are some highlights:ROMESometimes called the "Eternal City" Rome is rich in relics of its past. Thegrandeur of the Coliseum and the Vatican City give an idea of theunforgettable majesty and charm offered by only a small part of thishistorical capital. Renaissance palaces and piazzas, baroque fountains andancient courtyards, surround Piazza Navona, Rome's most stylish square.Proposed Concert Venue:Chiesa San Marcello al Corsois famous for its “miraculous”crucifix, which is believed to havesaved Rome from the Great Plagueof 1522. The church's interiorshowcases elaborate frescoes andornate altars, reflecting thegrandeur of Roman Baroqueartistry.
ASSISIAssisi owes its fame to St. Francis, born here in 1182, who founded theFranciscan order and died in 1226 in poverty and abstinence. With its well-preserved medieval streets and houses and its treasures of art andarchitecture, Assisi is one of Italy’s great tourist sites.Proposed Concert Venue:Basilica San FrancescoConstructed in the 13th century, SanFrancesco showcases stunningfrescoes by renowned artists likeGiotto and Cimabue, depicting thelife of Saint Francis. The LowerBasilica houses his tomb andremains a site of pilgrimage forChristians worldwide. What‘s to See? • En route visit to Orvieto• Guided sightseeing tour ofAssisi• Group lunch in Borgo SanFaustino eco-farm restaurant• Enjoy the hills of Tuscany
VENICEIt is difficult to imagine a more romantic city than Venice. Built on 117small islands, it is spanned by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges.Transport is by boat, including the famous gondola, or by foot. At thecrossroads between East and West, Venice preserves the mysticgreatness of its Byzantine past.NOTE: As hotel space for large groups can be extremely difficult on Venice Island,the group will be staying in Venice-Mestre, with vaporetto transfers into the centerof Venice each day.Proposed Concert Venue:Chiesa Santa Maria della PietaServing as a home for orphanedand abandoned girls, it providedmusical education, with AntonioVivaldi appointed as their musicteacher in the early 18th century.The school’s orchestra,composed of exceptionallytalented young girls known asthe "Figlie di Choro," gainedwidespread acclaim underVivaldi's direction. What‘s to See? • En route group lunch and winetasting in the Dominio diBagnoli, in Bagnoli di Sopra• Guided tour of Venice, includingBasilica San Marco, the RialtoBridge and the Grand Canal ofVenice
HOTELSYour group will be housed in “superior tourist class hotels”. Since the star systemdoesn’t take into account location or atmosphere, ACFEA uses this definition todescribe a property that is more comfortable, and better-located than an averagetourist hotel.CONCERTSACFEA will endeavor to create memorable opportunities for performancethroughout the tour. While the venues on this tour are merely educatedsuggestions, they will be our first choice of space in each city. As opportunitiesarise, confirmations will follow, in consultation with the group’s artistic staff. ACTIVITIESA “guided sightseeing tour” is generally a two to three hour orientation by aprofessional local guide. If you see a note about an entrance being included, wehave included admission, but if it merely is described as a visit, entry is free. MEALSYour tour includes 2 group lunches and 2 groups dinners. You can expect a starterand a main course with each meal, and dessert with dinners. Breakfast varies, butusually means a minimum of a cold buffet, coffee and tea. With exception of thewine-tasting, beverages apart from water are not included. FLIGHTSAirfare for your tour will not be available until late June. When the group’s aircontract is confirmed, you will be informed of your airline and flight schedule. About the Tour
If you would like to go on tour, please register your interest HERE and make yourinitial trip deposit. Once we have collected enough deposits, ACFEA will enter yourname into their website, Tour Central, and you will receive a welcome email. The total estimated cost of this tour is $4,500. The final cost of the tour will dependon the final number of participants. Payment ScheduleASAP $500 depositSeptember 1: $1000November 1: $1000January 15: $1000March 1: $1000 (estimated balance)Deposit checks should be made out to MidAtlantic Artistic Productions with “VivaVivaldi Tour” in the memo and mailed to: MidAtlantic Artistic Productions, Viva Vivaldi Tour8 Allegra Dr.Valley Cottage, NY 10989Cancellation policyDeposit: NON REFUNDABLECancellation between Sep 1 and Oct 31: Deposit + $500 ($1000 total)Cancellation between Nov 1 and Jan 14: Deposit + $1000 ($1,500 total) Cancellation between Jan 15 and Feb 28: Deposit + $1500 ($2,000 total)Cancellation between Mar 1 and Mar 31: Deposit + $2000 ($2,500 total)Cancellation after Mar 31, 2025: FULLY NON REFUNDABLEWhat Are the Next Steps?
What is included in the tour price? Your tour price includes roundtrip airfare from New York, 8 nights in superiortourist class hotels, sharing twin-bedded rooms, 2 group lunches, 2 group dinners,coaching and ACFEA courier services throughout, plus all of the entrances andperformances described above. May I request a single room?Yes. The Single Supplement is €816 EUR (about $900). Request this under “SpecialRequirements” on Tour Central. I want to do my own airfare. Can this be done?Yes. Under “Special Requirements”, indicate that you want different air, and clickon “Individual Travel Request”. Complete that form, so that ACFEA knows that youwill not need air. The No-Air Reduction is approximately $1,100. I want to fly on the group air, but I want to make a change. How do I do that?Under “Special Requirements”, click on the Individual Travel Request form andcomplete it. ACFEA will receive your request and will contact you about scheduleand pricing for your request. Do you recommend travel insurance?AN EMPHATIC YES! A link is available on Tour Central. IMPORTANT: You mustpurchase your policy within 14 days of trip deposit if you need coverage for anypre-existing conditions, or to be eligible for “Cancel for Any Reason” insurance. The deposit date is determined by when ACFEA cashes our first check, which willtrigger your Tour Central invitation. If you have questions about insuranceoptions, call USI at: (855) 874-0156. FAQs
Thu May 22 IN FLIGHT Check in at New York airport Depart on flight(s) to Rome Fri May 23 ROME Arrive at Rome airport Clear Immigration and Customs and meet your courier(s) Transfer by coach to the hotel and check in evening Dinner in a restaurant Sat May 24 ROME morning Breakfast in the hotel Guided sightseeing tour of Ancient Rome, including entrance to the Roman Forum and Coliseum Lunch independent afternoon At leisure evening Dinner independent Sun May 25 ROME morning Breakfast in the hotel Entrance to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Lunch independent afternoon Rehearsal evening Concert (in the Chiesa San Marcelo al Corso?) Dinner independent
Mon May 26 ASSISI morning Breakfast in the hotel Depart by coach for Orvieto (c. 2 hrs) Lunch in Borgo San Faustino eco-farm restaurant afternoon Continue by coach to Assisi (c. 1.5 hrs) and check in to the hotel evening Dinner independent Tue May 27 ASSISI morning Breakfast in the hotel Guided sightseeing tour, during which you will see the Giotto frescoes in the Basilica San Francesco, the Main Square, the house of St Francis’s parents, and the Chiesa Santa Chiara Lunch independent afternoon Rehearsal evening Concert (in the Basilica San Francesco?) Dinner independent Wed May 28 VENICE-MESTRE morning Breakfast in the hotel Depart by coach for Venice-Mestre (c. 5 hrs), stopping en route at Dominio di Bagnoli for a guided tour and wine tasting Lunch in the winery afternoon Arrive in Mestre and check in to the hotel evening Dinner independent
Thu May 29 (Ascension Day) VENICE-MESTRE morning Breakfast in the hotel Transfer by coach and vaporetto to Venice Island Walking tour of the city, during which you will see the Piazza and Basilica San Marco, the "Bridge of Sighs", the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal Lunch independent afternoon Rehearsal evening Dinner independent Return by vaporetto and coach to the hotel Fri May 30 VENICE-MESTRE morning Breakfast in the hotel Transfer by coach and vaporetto to Venice Island Lunch independent afternoon At leisure evening Concert (in the Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieta?) Farewell dinner in a restaurant Return by coach and vaporetto to the hotel Sat May 31 HOME morning Breakfast in the hotel Transfer by coach to the airport and check in Depart on flight(s) to New York Arrive at New York airport NB: driving times are estimates, based on normal road conditions, and do not include allowances for meal or rest stops Copyright © 2024 ACFEA Tour Consultants, Inc.