May 24 - Isabel Thurston & Claire Enfield

Hello blog! Isabel Thurston, reporting for duty. Today was a fairly free day in the beautiful city of Castiglione della Steviere, one that brought both relaxation and renewed energy to all of us choir folk. I started off the day with a run, taken by my fellow blogger of the day Claire Enfield. The rolling hills in this area are wild, and our calves are really feeling it 😂 but after running out to a field of poppies in the Italian countryside, every bit of sweat was worth it! After the run, I went out to caffe (espresso) and fruit tarts with graduated senior Katrina Baber, who had plenty of wisdom and stories to share with a younger sophomore like myself. We ended up going on a two hour walk after our coffee date, talking and laughing the whole way. We navigated Castiglione’s beautiful parks and remote allies, uncovering the wholesome residential atmosphere that I missed dearly in the bustling city of Florence. 

After returning for lunch (the dancers have returned to us today!!! ❤🙌🏻) we all went on a tour that highlighted the life and possessions of St. Luigi (Aloysius) Gonzaga, our University’s namesake. It was amazing to connect to the man that has inspired communities, like our University, all over the world with his humble commitment to service and accompaniment. (We also saw his skull in the nearby basilica—spooky, but cool! How often do you get to see the head of a saint?) 

After the tour, I called my mom and my grandpa and grandma. It’s my grandpa Jim’s 75th birthday, so some girls from the choir joined me in singing to him over the phone. Happy Birthday, Grandpa! 

We spent the evening performing in the basilica—the one with Gonzaga’s skull. The dancers came (hooray!) and it was so nice to finally sing to them, as well as the sweet crowd from Castiglione’s community. Sharing music with receptive and loving audiences really makes all the difference. The music takes a life of its own, co-created by the audience and singers (us). I felt so grateful tonight. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience. 

After the concert, our group, including the dancers, did something that we do best—eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company. I could have meals with these folks every day; what community has been forged by travels, music, and good food. Thank you Italy, thank the good Lord, and thank you mom and dad—that’s all I have to say. 

Much love, 

- Isabel (Bel) Thurston

Hello blog! Today was a beautiful day full of poppy fields, history, and St. Aloysius Gonzaga’s skull? This lovely morning Bel and I went on a run farther up the hill that our hotel is on. The town of Castiglione delle Stiviere is at the center of a few big hills and our hotel is at the top of one of them! It is a beautiful location! So remote and peaceful! We had a free morning today so when Bel and I went on a run and we could take as long as we wanted, which was necessary considering how many hills we had to climb. During the turn around point of our run we came across this poppy field in a garden of this old house that had to have been from around the 1500s. It was absolutely stunning and reminded me of how lucky I am to be here. I would have to say that this place is one of the most beautiful that I have visited. On the top of the hill, you can see for miles over valleys and green fields of who knows what! It was truly awe inspiring! After getting back from the run I had breakfast and relaxed at the beautiful hotel and I was journaling out in the sun when the dancers arrived from Florence! It was so lovely to be reunited with our new and already so close friends! These past couple of days truly weren’t the same without them. Having lunch together in the hotel just felt so right and it was so nice to hear about their stories and laughs that they had while we were apart. After lunch we had a walking history tour of the Gonzaga family history in Castiglione delle Stiviere. We went to a museum in town where there were so many cool artifacts and portraits of the rulers and the descendants. We learned about the three nieces of St. Aloysious Gonzaga and how they all became nuns. The coolest/creepiest part however, was seeing their mummified bodies in the church that we performed our concert in tonight! The Basilica de San Luigi Gonzaga was a beautiful space that I wish we learned more about. But right as we walked in our eyes were drawn to the relic of St. Gonzaga’s skull above the alter. At first I was a little disgusted but after more conversation and thought, the presence of our school’s name sake was inspiring. Our concert went extremely well and we had a bigger audience than what was expected which was amazing! However, hearing our peers’ reactions afterwards was the most heartwarming. To be able to perform some amazing pieces in front of the dancers we have been working with for so long was truly a treat and I loved every minute of it! After the concert, we headed to dinner at a restaurant with all the dancers and choir peeps as we ate delicious lasagna over awesome conversation. I’m so thankful for this opportunity in Castiglione delle Stiviere and I cannot wait to celebrate my 20th birthday here tomorrow with all my new and old friends!!

- Claire Enfield