We left Vienna this morning to drive to Salzburg. Our coach driver was required to take a 45-minute break, so he found an incredible “rest stop” that was a restaurant, gelato and pastry shop, snack shop, and gift store. Maverick would faint if they had this as competition. The choir really enjoyed that stop!
We reached Salzburg in good time, and in a bit of rain. Everyone enjoyed a little rest before dressing and heading to tonight’s concert in the Salzburg Stake Center. The drive was a bit longer than we anticipated, but no one complained when surrounded by deep green fields, lovely hills, and picturesque villas and villages.
We found the stake center to be beautiful and seemingly very new. In fact, the lights in the chapel and the organ were installed yesterday! It will be dedicated this Sunday.
The choir rehearsed a bit, then went in to have a dinner the wonderful people of the stake had prepared for us. We were interrupted mid-bite to line up for a very special “family photo” in a nearby hall, with two seats in the middle of the front row. I was the last to realize that the rumor of President Uchtdorf attending the concert was now not a rumor! He and Sister Uchtdorf very kindly joined us for photos, and then stayed to talk for about 15 minutes, asking questions and answering them. He bore a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and the Gospel—a remarkable and rare occurrence to be able to experience in person. They were charming and very gracious to all.
The choir then ran back to try to finish some supper before the concert, but some were still trying to finish once the concert had finished. The chapel was full, with the Uchtdorfs in the front row. The choir sang a mix of repertoire that was more classical, some lighter pieces, and hymns and spirituals. These were interspersed by some student solos and a quartet. The audience responded very appreciatively, and Elder Uchtdorf led the standing ovation. Finally, the choir went out to the lobby to await the audience so they could mingle with them — but the audience stayed in the chapel, applauding, until the choir returned to sing an encore.
Then the choir finally did move into the lobby, and talked with members of the audience for quite a while. There was a two-man crew who arrived today to do some photography and filming of the choir for BYU, and once they were finished, our bus brought us back to the hotel to get some needed rest.
This was truly a remarkable and wonderful evening musically and spiritually. We will never forget this experience.
