By Ronnie Phillips – Special to The Dispatch
BERLIN
– During an activity-packed day that would put my mother’s
three-by-five cards to shame, the Gilroy High School Chamber Choir
was fortunate enough to not only be the guest at a refined Anglican
Easter service but enjoy a tour of Berlin directed by a guide
well-versed in information and statistics
and see a wonderful performance of the opera,
”
The Merry Widow,
”
in German.
By Ronnie Phillips – Special to The Dispatch
BERLIN – During an activity-packed day that would put my mother’s three-by-five cards to shame, the Gilroy High School Chamber Choir was fortunate enough to not only be the guest at a refined Anglican Easter service but enjoy a tour of Berlin directed by a guide well-versed in information and statistics and see a wonderful performance of the opera, “The Merry Widow,” in German.
While jet-lag still claimed a minute part of the day, the choir persevered through each new activity, conversing with locals and learning life lessons in the process.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the Easter service in St. George’s Cathedral featured one of the most inspirational sermons I’ve ever experienced, as well as many hymns, prayer offerings and Holy Communion.
Following the service was a small gathering in a room behind the church where some members of the congregation gathered to enjoy a spot of tea – the service was directed in English at a mostly English-oriented congregation – and wish the choir good luck on its upcoming tour performances.
After devouring a scrumptious European lunch, the group took in a wonderful tour, with the guide divulging facts not only about the separation but the re-unification of Berlin as well as little-known modern facts about the various edifices and so forth.
Apparently, several million euros are shipped from the former West Germany to East Germany in an attempt to revive its economy and physical structure. In the excavation and construction of the new buildings, bombs and grenades dating back to World War II are discovered daily.
After an independent dinner, our group once again gathered – this time to experience an evening at the opera. While the plot proved to be naturally complicated, it was further complicated by the fact that all the dialogue and songs were in German. As all good things deliver a happy ending, so did the Chamber Choir when they returned to the hotel later that night to reflect on the events of the day and pack for a trip to Leipzig the following day.
I leave you now with the following German phrase that I hope never to have to utter:
”Ich blute stark.” (I am bleeding profusely.)
