When the news of an impending blizzard hit Princeton, the Orchestra knew there was only one thing to do — migrate.
This Intersession the Princeton University Orchestra (PUO) went to Portugal on its biannual tour. Previous trips have included visits and performances in London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Madrid, Barcelona, Prague and Vienna.
They performed three concerts in Lisbon, Coimbra and then Porto, with repertoire including a Prokofiev Ballet, Beethoven's 6th Symphony and, for the first time, a piece composed by a professor at the University.
Dan Trueman, a professor of music and master of the Hardangle Fiddle — which was featured in the Rohan theme of "Lord of the Rings" — wrote three separate modernized folk songs, "Three Pieces for Hardangle Fiddle and Orchestra," and performed as the soloist in their well-received international debut.
The trip began Friday, Jan. 21 — almost on schedule. However, keeping track of more than one-hundred passports turned a routine customs check at Lisbon's International Airport into a chaotic scene. After arriving at 6:00 a.m., well before our hotel was ready, the orchestra began its three-day stay in Lisbon with a full-city bus tour.
Upon reaching the hotel, most students, exhausted from exams and travel, collapsed in the lobby and resigned themselves to a full day of leisure. While some caught up on sleep, others climbed to the Castelo de Sao Jorge (St. Georges's Castle), a structure constructed by the Moors and boasting spectacular panoramic views of Lisbon.
Over the next few days PUO explored the famous art collections of the Gulbenkian Museum, the Jeronimos Monastary where Vasco da Gama's Tomb lay, and the Monument of the Discoveries which commemorates the 500th anniversary of the death of Prince Henry the Navigator.
A short day trip outside of Lisbon lead the PUO to the Sintra Palace and to Cascais, a bustling, holiday resort that was originally a small fishing village on the sea. Speaking of which, the main staple of Portuguese cuisine is fish, fish and maybe cod.
Finally, two other "traditions" that PUO students experienced in Lisbon were Fado, a music derived from African slave songs which has come to define a distinctive aspect of Portuguese culture and free wine tasting at the Port Wine Tasting Institute, established with "the goal of promoting the national and international sale of Portuguese wines." After their first concert, PUO departed Lisbon for Coimbra.
On the road to Coimbra, the buses passed through Tomar and Fatima. At Tomar, PUO toured the Convent of Christ, which is best known for its role as the Portuguese headquarters of the Knights Templar from 1160 to 1314, a site also made famous by Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code." Fatima, a highly important site of pilgrimage for Roman Catholics, was a shorter stop where students had the opportunity to shop, grab lunch and even participate in prayer and confession.
Reaching Coimbra, the PUO enjoyed a full tour of the central university and the university town. The second concert was performed in the University's performance hall. After this, the students indulged in what the nightlife had to offer: an assortment of dance clubs and restaurants.
Finally, the orchestra headed to Oporto, a city famous for the wine that carries its name. Upon arriving in the city, the Orchestra's first stop was the Sandeman Institute, a famous wine storage house on the river of Oporto. Here PUO members enjoyed a full tour of the storage facilities, as well as a detailed lesson on the production and qualities of Portuguese wines. The visit concluded with a full wine tasting and a flood of sales.
The orchestra's last performance was held in a memorably cold monastery. As the night progressed and the temperature dropped, coats, hats, scarves and gloves emerged to keep students warm. Because of the cold, the main piece, Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony, was almost cut from the program, however, the audience persuaded the orchestra to deliver the program's signature piece.
Our last evening was spent at a popular summer resort on the coast. Here a large casino attracted some daring students to try their luck at the slot machines or blackjack. Though hopes were high, many returned with crushed expectations and empty wallets.
The next morning, the dawn of the departure was a blur for most — hectic, sleepy and fast. Halfway to the airport, the conductor received a frantic call from the hotel. One of the students had not made it on the bus.
After a 140 Euro taxi ride, the orchestra was once again reunited. With "Fly Me Home" tags waving and unforgettable memories, the PUO returned to blustery New Jersey.
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