By Molly Freedenberg
Saturday was an emotional day for the Mater Dei High School Chorus, as they bade farewell to their Incantato Tour with several powerful experiences at the Vatican.
First, the choir sang at High Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica. Because April 2 was the anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican held High Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, a rare occasion in itself and an even rarer venue for touring choirs. The presiding cardinals gave special thanks to the choir (who they charmingly said were from "Orange Country"), who performed two songs during mass and another as the cardinals exited the building, the last of which was met with rousing applause from the otherwise reverent crowd.
The entire group was then given a private tour of the Vatican Museum’s ancient statues, awe-inspiring tapestries, famous maps, and beautiful religious objects, culminating in a private concert in the Sistine Chapel.
The concert began with the Chamber Singers in a circle, their voices resonating off the ancient walls of the chapel. Next came all the female singers, followed by the full choir in rows at the back of the room. By the time the last note drifted up towards Michelangelo’s frescoes, few eyes were dry. Director Scott Melvin put his hand to his heart, thanking the students quietly with tears in his eyes. Parents cried and hugged their kids. Kids hugged each other. “That was pretty incredible,” one parent said. “I looked up at the Creation and just burst into tears,” said another.
“I felt like my abuelita was there,” said Allie G., a senior in the Advanced Women’s Ensemble whose grandmother died four days before the Sistine Chapel performance. “I definitely cried.”
It was a beautiful end to a beautiful tour, and the students took pictures of each other and exchanged exclamations of “I’m so glad I met you!” as they walked to their farewell dinner at Sico Moro a few blocks away, preparing to board their planes home the next day.
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