The Sound of Pearl Wien & Salzburg 2019 Music Tour
Little ones Big dreams: The Sound of Pearl echoes in Vienna and Salzburg
“The voice of angels! How beautiful!”, a French couple were so moved by the True Light girls’ singing Vivaldi’s Gloria & Laudamus Te at Vienna’s Peterskirche. Altogether 41 girls, 21 Primary and 20 Secondary, went on the tour from 24th June to 3rd July 2019 to share music with people they meet.
At Salzburg Cathedral, an English teacher from England could not believe he had heard Purcell’s Sound the Trumpet from two Hong Kong students. “Purcell’s English is so difficult to master,” he said. “But the girls have done wonders!”.
An Austrian dancer mimicked the girls’ movements during the flash mob performance of The Rhythm of Life at Vienna’s Stepansplatz, mesmerised by the choreography attuned to the vibrant music.
Such was the warmth of reception True Light girls received in Austria.
“We have never dreamt of learning to sing under Prof Gerald Wirth, Artistic Director of Vienna Boys’ Choir (VBC),” said Sarah Ching and Giana Yeung of S4. At the masterclass in Augarten Palais, Prof Wirth taught them how to sing better, and Jessica Chan, S6 piano technique. The Deputy Artistic Director of VBC, Prof Erasmus Baumgartner conducted a choral masterclass for the girls singing Vivaldi’s Laudamus Te. His flamboyance and drama firmly sent home the message: improvement comes from hard work. There is no shortcut.
During the ten days of the tour, the girls visited the gems of Austria: Vienna State Opera for Lelisir Damore, Musikverein for Vienna Radio Symphony, VBC, Schonbrunn Palace, Melk Abbey, Mirabell Gardens; and presented concerts at Votivkirche, Peterskirche, Salzburg Cathedarl, as well as flash mob style singing at Vienna’s Stephansplatz, Salzburg’s Mirabell Gardens and Kapitelplatz, and Frankfurt Airport. They visited Mozarthaus and Mozart Birthplace to see how the genius musician lived.
“The 41 girls are precious True Light pearls,” said Ms Li Si-lai, the tour’s Music Director. “Their eyes have seen, ears heard, body moved, and mouths sung in Vienna and Salzburg, the epitome of music. This has widened and deepened their music experience, opening the door for a lifelong journey!”
All eleven parents who joined the tour were thrilled. “Big thanks for giving LITTLE ones BIG dreams!”