During the first week of July, The Blenheim Singers made a trip to the town of Blindheim in southern Germany, the namesake of both Blenheim Palace and the choir. The Battle of Blindheim in 1704 is one of the great decisive battles of European history, and it was as its hero that the 1st Duke of Marlborough received a gift from the nation in Blenheim Palace. The choir had come to Bavaria to trace the common history, under the auspices of Blenheim Palace's UNESCO World Heritage status, "building peace in the minds of people" through music.

Itinerary

Friday 2nd July:  We teamed up with children from the UNESCO Project
School of St Bonaventura in Dillingen for a choral workshop, with
Daniel Layer, music teacher. The round by William Cornysh "Ah Robin,
gentle Robin" was explored with the well-known "Nur keine Eile" by
Mozart.  Later that afternoon, a short informal performance in St
Martin's Church, Blindheim.

Saturday 3rd July: We performed an evening concert in Sandizell
Castle, the headquarters of the outstanding generals in the War of
Spanish Succession, John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough and Prince
Eugene of Savoy. The highlight was Bach's Jesu, meine Freude (BWV
227).

""A deep impression was felt""  - Donau Kurier

""truly convincing and impressive"" - Dr Thomas Goppel, MP, President of the Bavarian Music Council

Sunday 4th July: After an informal performance in Höchstädt Palace, we made our way into the hills to the small town of Unterliezheim where
the bi-annual Rose Show was taking place. An incredible display of
roses, local foods, beer, crafts was on offer.

As part of the cultural events, The Blenheim Singers had been invited to be the highlight of the musical performances in the beautiful Rococo church of St Leonard. We were pleased to realise that a number of pieces in our programme had references to roses! A standing ovation was given, something quite extraordinary when we were told that audiences never stand to clap in churches.

""Choral music at the highest level, with a cultivated choice of programme ... the musical result was an impressive experience"" - Donau Zeitung

""Singing at this high level moved the audience to respond so enthusiastically with a justly sustained applause. The audience stood up spontaneously and thus honoured a great artistic, musical performance."" - Donau Zeitung