Melk Abbey

Groupies agree the sound in Peterskirche yesterday was hard to top but the setting of today's performance tops the backdrop list.

Benedictine monks have been living and working at Melk Abbey, or Stift Melk, since 1089.  It was first built by the Romans as a watch tower, then became the first seat of Austrian government thanks to the Babenburger dynasty and was then given as a gift (stift) to the Monks who have operated a school here since the 12th century.

Phew, that is some history and they have the handwritten books to prove it. The library at Melk, which is open to researchers and students at the school working on their theses, is home to over 100,000 volumes, including 750 incunabula - printed works from before 1500. Amazing!  No photos permitted so check out the link above to see some official ones.

"In the order of importance of the rooms in a Benedictine monastery, the library comes second only to the church" - a direct quote from the Abbey website - so onto the church - Baroque and covered in nine pounds of gold leaf. Wowza. Here is a video of the group singing "Still, Still, Still".  The quality is nicht sehr gut but we still hope you enjoy it!

New England Voices featuring: Peter & Deb Kolbjornsen, Carroll & Susie Stevens, Lou & Sharon Stamas, Frank & Lisa Pampreen, Philip Pampreen, Gail Licciardello, Ann Gordon, Bev Lauer, Nick Lauer, Lucy Champion, Carole Macalaster, Joseph Stevens, Theo Wiegand, John Wiegand, Cameron Knightly, Christian Knightly and Andrew Hunt.  Groupies and our vivacious Viennese tour guide Trixie not pictured above. 

It was another amazing day!  Look for a post in the morning (Vienna time) about our fabulous fun farewell mini performance at the Rauthaus. 

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the day most celebrated here in Austria and we will be heading to Obendorf and the Stille Nacht chapel, where the world famous song was first sung 200 years ago. We will enjoy the markets and celebratory program before heading to Salzburg. The magic continues for two more days!