Opera and Classical Music Theme Cruises 2010
Concerts on Danube, Aegean, Mediterranean, North Sea Ships & Ashore
Nov 14, 2009
For boomers and seniors who love classical music, there are cruise ships that sail though the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean, the North Sea and along the Danube River that include recitals on board by professional performers. These are not for the budget-minded; most of the cruises are expensive.
Music Cruises Through Greece and Italy
Classical music is the theme of two cruises aboard the all-suite Corinthian II.
The first, devised for followers of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, is scheduled June 17-27, 2010 through the Greek Islands and Turkey. Music at sea will be led by cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han, who are husband and wife as well as co-artistic directors of the CMS, based in New York City. They and violinists Philip Setzer and Arnaud Sussmann will perform masterpieces at private concerts aboard the ship as well as at memorable sites such as outside the walls of Troy. Details are available from the CMS or Travel Dynamics International.
The second Corinthian II musical voyage takes visitors to Italy, Greece and Turkey with private musical concerts and recitals in ancient theaters, churches and Old World concert halls. The dates are Sept. 20-29, 2010.
Ocean Sun Music Festival Cruise
The year will be the fourth for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ “Ocean Sun Festival,” which it says is the only festival of classical music on the high seas. It features 15 days aboard the MS Europa, Aug. 24- Sept. 8, 2010 departing and ending in Kiel, Germany. The cruise travels through England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. It stars internationally-acclaimed classical music performers on board, as well as exclusive concerts at historical sites ashore, including mezzo Magdalena Kozena and members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.
Danube Music Theme Cruises
Allegro Holidays offers music cruises on the Danube in April and October 2010, The cruises, aboard the MS Amadeus Symphony and MS Amadeus Royal, The highlights: opera performances in Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest, as well as a music program on board while cruising through Austria,
Slovakia, Hungary and Germany. Members of the Opera Interludes ensemble play works by Mozart, Strauss, Lehar and other composers on board. Like almost all classical music cruises, noted lecturers and critics provide special insights into the music and the musical settings.
The economic downturn, however, has taken its toll on classical music cruises. The industry publication Travel Weekly reported some months ago that Peter Deilmann, a well known river cruise specialist based in German, was in financial difficulty and would stop its musical river cruises in October 2009. Its website now seems to be unreachable.
Opera and classical music fans can go on a cruise and hear live ensembles and vocalists as well as enjoy performances at various ports of call. Prefer pop music like Elvis or Jimmy Buffett? There are lots of pop music theme cruises.
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