GRAND SUCCESS FOR THE CAMERATA CANTABILE ON ITS TOUR TO IRELAND.
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DAY SIX National Gallery of Dublin
Thursday, 6 November, was by far the most important day of the tour. In the
morning, we went up to Dublin and enjoyed a few hours touring the city.
At 4pm. H.E. the Ambassador of Spain to Ireland, Mr. Jose de Carvajal
Salido, graciously invited us to his residence for a reception. We were
accompanied to this event by the Mayor of La Adrada, H.E. Mr. Francisco de
Pedraza Rivas (who came all the way from Spain to accompany us on this day)
and the Mayor of New Ross, H.E. Ms. Ingrid O'Brien. There were some brief
speechs: of welcome by the Ambassador; of pride in the Camerata for its tour
by the Mayor of La Adrada; of pride in hosting the Camerata during the New
Ross 800 celebrations and for the interest in twinning New Ross and La
Adrada by the New Ross Mayor; and, of gratitude and appreciation to the
three authorities by the Conductor of the Camerata. There was also an
exchange of gifts.
The Irish tour was focused on the southeastern part of the country.
Nevertheless, we were very keen in performing in Dublin. Therefore, we got
in touch with the Spanish Embassy and the Ambassador was delighted with our
proposal especially when taking into account that the repertoire was a
celebration of the diversity and wealth of Spanish music and culture.
However, we never imagined the importance and significance of this concert.
One must admit that the Ambassador vested a lot of trust in us. He met with
the Ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Mexico and they
decided to jointly organize our concert in the National Gallery of Dublin.
The audience arrived on a strict "Invitation only" basis and amongst the
audience were Ambassadors and high level officials of the diplomatic world
as well as well known figures of the Irish political, institutional,
cultural and religious world such as the President of the High Court, the
Archbishop of Dublin, the Papal Nuncio, the Advisor to the Prime Minister
amongst others. At the end of the concert, the Spanish Ambassador and other
collaborating Ambassadors offered a reception everyone at the Barroque
Gallery of the National Gallery.
On behalf of the Camerata Cantabile, I would like to express our sincere
thanks and appreciation to the Ambassador and his colleagues in the Embassy
for their kindness, hospitality and support to our tour and for the
memorable night they gave us in Dublin.
We would also like to thank the Mayor of La Adrada. Until the last minute,
we were not sure if it would be possible for a representative from our Town
Hall to be with us in Ireland due to their busy work schedule. We were very
happy that he could finally attend the Dublin concert. One of the reasons
that the Camerata resided in New Ross for the duration of the tour was
because of the town's interest in twinning with La Adrada. During the
Dublin concert, both Mayors took advantage of the opportunity to have
preliminary discussions on the twinning process.
The Spanish Ambassador, the Mayor of La Adrada, the Mayor of New Ross, the
Conductor of Camerata Cantabile and members of the Camerata and companions
at the stairs to the entrance of the Spanish Ambassador's residence
Welcome speech by the Spanish Ambassador
Presentation of a book on La Adrada to the Spanish Ambassador
by the Mayor
of La Adrada
Presentation of a gift to the Ambassador by the Camerata Cantabile
The three authorities
Rehearsing at the National Gallery with butterflies in our stomachs
The Ambassador bidding welcome to all the guests
and introducing the
Camerata
The concert begins
A moment in the second half of the concert
A view of the audience and hall
The reception at the end of the concert held in the Barroque Gallery of the
National Gallery
The two Mayors toasting to the possible twinning
The Camerata with the six host Ambassadors and the two mayors
A copy of the invitation card
NEXT DAY
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