We got on the road at about 09h30. It was another typical warm day in Albania as we trundled our way south to Gjirokaster, through Durres (a port city since the *4th century BC*- I didn’t know people even had boats then!), Fier and Tepelenas. The bus air conditioning system struggled to keep up with the heat, but we eventually arrived safely in G’kaster at about 16h15. We are staying at the beautiful Hotel Cajupi (Cha-YOU-pee) overlooking the main town square which contains a sculpture of the “Girls of the City of Stone”, after which the ballet suite by Cesk Zadeja is named.
The sound check was called for 18h00 at the Castle on the hill (a good, or maybe the only, place for a castle, I guess ...), where we would perform. We were amazed to learn that we were playing in a spot-lit castle corridor replete with military equipment from wars gone by, as well as doves and pigeons. Following a trumpet fanfare from the castle walls to call the townsfolk to the concert, we played the same programme as in Tirana to a ridiculously appreciative and large audience. Adding to the spice of life was a moment in the middle of our third-to final piece when a roaming pigeon evidenced the call of nature directly onto the sheet (pronounce that carefully) music of the timpanist. Perhaps nobody other than the percussion section noticed this, but it made for great war stories at the after party. We finished again with the Can Can to a full-out standing “O”, prompting the audience to insist upon an encore of the final stanzas of the piece.
So, did I mention the after party? Bujar had lined up the Fantazia Hotel who hosted a wonderful reception complete Albanian food stuffs and drink stuffs (wine, beer and shume mire raki-- go to Google Translator and figure it out.) Suffice it to say that we left the party at 2am, with it showing few signs of slowing down.So, it’s hard to imagine our experience getting any better.
 |
| Rehearsing in the castle in Gjirokaster |
 |
| Warming up on the castle grounds |
