MS6

T r a v e l a n d M u s i c

S e a & M U S I c2 0 1 5

e x p l o r e f I v e U n e S c o w o r l d h e r I t a g e S I t e S

With RAMÓN VARGAS & FRiENDS1 5 . 5 . – 2 4 . 5 . 2 0 1 5

valletta (Malta) – Brindisi (Italy) – dubrovnik (croatia) – Kotor (Montenegro) – corfu town (corfu) – valletta (Malta)

RAMÓN VARGAS (tenor) iNVA MulA (Soprano) & BERNARDA FiNk (Mezzosoprano)

lidia Baich (violin) & Matthias fletzberger (piano)String quartet with members of the Berlin & vienna philharmonic

premium all inclusive on board the Mein Schiff 3 from tUI cruises

R A M Ó NV A R G A S

Tenor

Ramón Vargas was born in Mexico City. His firststudies were undertaken at the Istituto Cardenal Miranda. Soon he was a competition winner and took his first opera roles (Fenton, Don Ottavio, Nemorino, Almaviva) at the Mexico City Opera.

In 1986 the young artist moved to Vienna, the actual „cradle“ of his career. He then became a

laureate of several competitions, including Enrico Caruso, Milano, Vincenzo Bellini, Catania and Paolo

Neglia, Enna.

In the 1989/90 season, Ramón Vargas became a freelance artist and very soon significant

debuts followed: Zurich Opera, Opéra de Marseille (Edgardo), Festival de Perpignan and Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris (Tebaldo in I CAPULETI

ED I MONTECCHI), Opéra Bastille Paris (Rossini: Stabat Mater) and Palais Garnier Paris (recital).

Later, first obligations to the Opéra de Montpellier (Macduff in MACBETH), at the Teatro Bellini Catania (Corasimo in ZAIRA), at the Rossini

Festival Pesaro, at the Teatro Massimo Palermo (Elvino in LA SONNAMBULA), at the Teatro Comunale Bologna (Amenofi in MOSE), at the

Teatro San Carlo di Napoli (Edgardo), at the Opera di Roma (Count Almaviva), the Vienna Musikverein and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam followed.

His definitive international breakthroughmeant debuts at the most important venues

worldwide: Metropolitan Opera New York (Edgardo), Teatro alla Scala di Milano (Fenton

under Riccardo Muti) as well as the Vienna State Opera (Almaviva, Fenton, Leicester) in 1992/93. In addition, the debut at the Teatro Colón in Buenos

Aires followed (as Fernando LA FAVORITA) and in 1995 at the Arena di Verona (Duca di Mantova in

Rigoletto).

Since then, Ramón Vargas has been a permanent guest at the Scala di Milano, the Metropolitan

Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, the Opera Bastille Paris, the Covent Garden Opera House London, the Salzburg Festival and at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich with the most important roles of his repertoire: Alfredo, Duca

di Mantova, Edgardo, Werther, Rodolfo, Nemorino, Conte Almaviva, Don Ramiro, et al.

t h e e S S e n c e

o f M U S I c

I S t o g I v e J o Y .

( a r i s t o t e l e s )

B E R N A R D AF i N k

Mezzosoprano

Bernarda Fink, daughter of Slovenian parents, was born in Buenos Aires and received her musical edu-cation at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colón. Acclaimed for her versatility, her repertoire

ranges from ancient music to works of the 20th century. Amongst many others, she frequently

appears with the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, London Philharmonic, Royal Concert-gebouw Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra and the best known Baroque orchestras under Blomstedt, Bychkov, Davis, Gardiner, Gergiev, Harnoncourt,

Jacobs, Jansons, Muti, Norrington, Pinnock, Prêtre, Rattle, Saraste and Welser-Möst.

Bernarda Fink has appeared to critical acclaim in Argentina and at the main opera houses of Europe.

She regularly appears in recitals and concerts in Vienna, Schwarzenberg, Amsterdam, London,

Berlin, New York and Buenos Aires. Many of her recordings have been awarded prizes including the Diapason d’Or and Grammy. She was awarded the Austrian Honorary Medal for Art and Science, and together with her brother, Marcos Fink, the most

prestigious cultural award of Slovenia sponsored by the Preseren Foundation.

i N V AM u l A

Soprano

Born into a famous family of artists in Tirana, Inva Mula began piano lessons and played her first

concert at the age of five. At sixteen her vocal training started with her mother and she graduated

from the Arts Academy of Tirana with her first Violeta. The first role that would shape her career

began at the Opera of Tirana followed by many international opera houses. Many prizes

accompanied her way to triumph such as the first Placido Domingo Competition and a close

cooperation with the maestro followed. She has hadinternational engagements in various roles at the

major opera houses of the world in Barcelona, Avignon, Los Angeles, Bonn, Washington, Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, Marseille, Verona, Seville, Vienna,

Milan and New York, to name just a few. Her collaboration with the conductors Zubin

Mehta, Riccardo Muti and Myung-Whun Chung or with her mentor Placido Domingo and the

stage partners Roberto Alagna, Jose Cura, reflect her incomparable presence on the international opera stage. Since the beginning of her career,

her performances have characterised her special artistic personality and ability to touch every soul

through her singing. Her career has also continued during the current season with great success in her favourite role of Manon at the Vienna State Opera

and the Nedda at the Deutsche Opera Berlin.

c h a M B e r M U S I c & p I a n I S t S

lIdIa BaIch - vIolInBorn in St. Petersburg, violinist Lidia Baich won her first international competition already at the age

of eight. In 1998 she was awarded the „European Musician of the Year“ award. Since then she has been at home in all the major concert halls around the world. Many tours with the world‘s best orches-tras and conductors, such as Lorin Maazel and Vladimir Fedoseyev, have taken her, to amongst other

countries; Japan, China, Russia, the USA, Korea, South Africa and Argentina. In 2002, the young violinist of Lorin Maazel was invited on a world tour beside the star tenor Andrea Bocelli. Lidia Baich is

also active as a juror at prestigious violin competitions such as the Eurovision or the Menuhin Competition. She plays on a violin from Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu „ex Guilet“ from the year 1732.

MatthIaS fletzBerger - pIano & accoMpanIMentAlready at the age of five, Matthias Fletzberger received piano and violin lessons at the Vienna Aca-

demy of Music and soon became known as a piano prodigy. He won top prizes at, amongst others; the „Busoni“, „Rubinstein“, and „Bösendorfer“ competitions and began his career with appearances

on every continent. After several years of collaboration with the world-famous soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, he turned to conducting and opera at, amongst others; the Vienna Festival, in Salzburg , at the Theatre St. Gallen and at the Prague State Opera. In 2013 he made his debut as a conductor in

Canada as part of the concert series „Salute to Vienna“ in front of an audience of over 5,000.

Marlene Ito - vIolIn (Member of the Berlin Philharmonic)Marlene Ito, born in Japan and raised in Australia, began playing the violin at the age of four. Later she initially studied under Goetz Richter at the Conservatory in Sydney. In 2003 she continued

her studies at the Musikhochschule Lübeck and the University of Arts Berlin. Alongside her studies she was a scholar of the Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic. Then in 2009, second

concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Komische Oper Berlin and in 2011 Ito moved to the Berlin Philharmonic.

edISon paShKo - vIoloncello (Member of the Vienna Philharmonic)Edison Pashko was born in Korca, Albania. He studied cello at the University of Music in Graz under Florian Kitt and later in Vienna under Valentin Erben. Several solo activities with European and Asian orchestras followed. He is principal cellist of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble Wiener

Collage and chamber music partner of the Küchl Quartet. Since 2010, Edison Pashko has been a member of the Wiener Staatsoper and a member of the Vienna Philharmonic since 2013.

anthonY SpIrI - pIano (Accompaniment Bernarda Fink)Anthony Spiri is one of the most versatile and highly-regarded artists among today‘s accompanists,

chamber music pianists and solists. Spiri has given world premieres of compositions by Sofia Gubaidulina, Rainer Bishof, York Höller, Wolfgang Rihm, and other prominent composers of our time.

He has performed with many of today‘s most prominent singers and instrumentalists. He has regularly performed with Bernarda Fink, Edith Mathis, Peter Schreier, Marjana Lipovsek, and Angelika

Kirchschlager. As soloist he has appeared with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, the Camerata Academica Salzburg and many other orchestras.

phIlIpp Bohnen – vIolIn (Member of the Berlin Philharmonic)Born in Kiel in 1983, violinist Philipp Bohnen studied at the Folkwang Hochschule Essen under Prof.

Vesselin Paraschkevov, the Hochschule für Musik „Hanns Eisler“ in Berlin under Prof. Stephan Picard and Prof. Antje Weithaas and completed his diploma and graduate recital there. In the 2006/2007 season he was a scholar of the Karajan Academy (Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic)

until he became a permanent member of the Berlin Philharmonic in January 2008.

MartIna engel - vIolaMartina Engel studied viola at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München with Prof. Roland Metz-ger as well as Instrumental and Voice Education (Viola Jazz) at the Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität

Linz. She was a scholarship holder at the Bayerische Staatsoper Munich. From 2003 until 2005 she was performing as a substitute at the Bayerische Staatsoper. She regularly plays with the Vienna

Chamber Orchestra, the Wiener Volksoper, Stella Matutina and the Ensemble Reconsil, furthermore she is a member of the Max Brand Ensemble für Neue Musik, Studio Dan and Duo Profundkontra.

w e l c o M e o n B o a r d !

the new MeIn SCHIFF 3Enjoy a breath taking comfort cruise with diverse destina-

tions on board the new Mein Schiff 3. This unforgettable cruise takes you from Malta to Brindisi, Dubrovnik, Kotor and on to the Greek island of Corfu. From the ocean you

will see musical highlights, the variety of ports and the diverse regions in a completely different light.

caBInS and SUIteS All cabins on the Mein Schiff 3 are decorated in a stylish,

individual ambience with lots of amenities and are equipped with safe, air conditioning, bathroom with shower/WC, hair dryer, mini bar, telephone, bathrobes, flat screen TV and a

Nespresso machine.

Spa & Sea wellneSS-areaAwaiting you in the spa area of the Mein Schiff 3, is a green

nature wall overgrown with real plants, which extends over two light-filled decks. Mostly Asian

treatments shape your wellbeing, enabling you to switch off completely on your wellness cruise.

cUlInarYMeals at most of the restaurants are included on the Mein Schiff 3. Enjoy the delicacies in the main Atlantic restau-rant-Classic, Atlantic-Mediterranean and Atlantic-Eura-sia, the first class selection in Anckelmannsplatz - buffet

restaurant or snacks for in between, day and night-Bistro, which is open around the clock for you. Also, market-fresh fish dishes in GOSCH Sylt or the freshly baked pastries, at your own bakery, are included on your premium all inclu-sive cruise. Wonderfully refreshing ice creams and freshly

baked waffles await you at the ice cream bar!

technIcal featUreS of MeIn SchIff 3:Length: 293.3 m, Width: 35.8 m, Measurement: approx. 99.700 GT, Speed: approx. max. 21,7 kn,

Passengers: 2.506, Decks: 15, Construction: Meyer Turku Oy, Commissioning: June 2014

pre-crUISe prograMMe on Malta froM 15th-17th MaY 2015

• 2 nights inclusive breakfast in 5*- Grand Hotel Excelsior (or similar)

• Full-day excursion in Malta including lunch• Musical Matinée in Valletta

• All transfers

o U r h I g h l I g h t S f o r Y o U :

• Ramón Vargas: a recital with piano accompaniment • Bernarda Fink: a recital with piano accompaniment

• A joint concert by Ramón Vargas and Inva Mula• Two chamber music concerts by

Lidia Baich and Matthias Fletzberger • Two chamber music concerts by the string quartet • Several public rehearsals in the theatre / Klanghaus

• UNESCO World Heritage Lecture • Meet & Greet with the artists

• Autograph sessions • A UNESCO World Heritage excursion on Malta

• Two of the concerts will take place on land • Exclusive group size (max. 200 persons)

• Exploration of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites

ServIceS on Board MEIN SCHIFF 3• Cruise in the booked category

with full board • Premium all inclusive

• Table service in selected restaurants • No set meal times

• Above average space per guest • Nespresso machine in all cabins • All gratuities on board included

• Variety of sport & health facilities • Access to the SPA & Sea area, pool towels

• Embarkation and disembarkation fees• English speaking doctors on board

• English speaking travel reps from the MS6 team

ServIceS not InclUded Personal expenses such as hairdresser, massage,

spa, shore excursions, arrival and departure, medical treatments, insurance, booking fees, special drinks

at a surcharge, specialty restaurants

KlanghaUS - UnIQUe concert experIence at Sea

The „Klanghaus“ is a first in the cruise industry because it is the world‘s first chamber music philharmonic at sea. You will not experience concerts with such pleasing acoustics

aboard any other cruise ship. Renowned concert hall experts assisted TUI Cruises in the development of the

„Klanghaus“. If you enter this room, you will leave the daily grind behind. The first thing you will feel is a sense of calm,

that seems limitless through the large panorama window looking out to sea.

p r e - p r o g a r a M MI n M a l t a

friday, 15th May 2015pre-prograMM In Malta

arrival and transfer to hotelExperience one of the most beautiful capitals in

Europe. The headland of the historical fortified town with its baroque architecture, narrow streets, cosy café terraces and the impressive Grand Harbour will captivate you. Stroll

along the historic city walls, many fascinating buildings, trendy restaurants and the historic forts. The surrounding area is also worth a visit. In 1980 the whole of valletta was

added to the UneSco - world heritage list.

Saturday, 16th May 2015fUll-daY excUrSIon In Malta

Today you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Valletta. The beginning of the trip leads to the Upper

Barraca Gardens from where you have a heavenly view of the whole of Malta. Then visit St. John‘s Co-Cathedral.

After lunch at Caffe Cordina on Piazza Regina in the centre of Valletta, explore another UNESCO Culture

Heritage site which is the Hagar Qim Temple. A stop at the Blue Grotto and the picturesque fishing village of

Marsaxlokk complete the program.

w e l c o M e o n B o a r d !

Sunday, 17th May 2015valletta, Malta

embarkation, departure: 22:00Transfer to Ship

Matinée in Valletta (subject to change)

Monday, 18th May 2015relax at Sea

tuesday, 19th May 2015BrIndISI, ItalY

arrival: 07:00, departure: 18:00The provincial capital Brindisi is the ideal starting point for

a beautiful Mediterranean experience. From the natural harbour full of splendid yachts, you can enjoy trips in the

picturesque surroundings. For example, to beautiful Lecce in Salento. The view of the fortress Castello Aragonese

is also heavenly. Wine lovers should find a shady spot and ask for the delicious red and rosé wines from Brindisi and

Mesagne. the castle castel del Monte in apulia and the trulli of alberobello have been

UneSco world heritage sites since 1996.

wednesday, 20th May 2015dUBrovnIK, croatIa

arrival 07:00, departure: 22:30It doesn‘t matter whether you walk around Dubrovnik

along its 25 meter high city wall or take a stroll through the picturesque streets of the old town - you will succumb to its charm immediately. Gothic palaces, the shady cloister of the Dominican monastery or the rich treasury - there

is a lot to discover. But at the very latest, if you look at the view to sea and the island of Lokrum, take a deep breath

and you will understand the motto of the people of Dubrovnik: „Libertas“ - freedom! UneSco added

the old town of dubrovnik to the world cultural heritage list in 1979.

thursday, 21st May 2015Kotor, Montenegro

arrival 08:00, departure: 18:00Slowly, your ship moves through the southernmost fjord in Europe. Enjoy the sight of the rugged cliffs and dive into

the rich past of the city. The sheltered bay was a hideout for pirates and buccaneers, but also a trading

centre and naval base. In the city itself, the approximately 4.5 kilometre long city wall testifies to these troubled times. Behind it, the medieval old town welcomes

you with the classic Renaissance clock tower and some magnificent Venetian palaces. Tender Port: The ship is at

anchor and not at the pier. the bay of Kotor, with its fascinating landscape and with the sites past wealth, belongs to the UneSco world natural and world

heritage list.

friday, 22nd May 2015corfU town, corfU

arrival 09:00, departure: 19:00Empress Sisi loved the green island and had a holiday home

built here; the Achilleion Palace. You will understand why when strolling through the capital: In search of traces of the island‘s past you encounter Venetian buildings,

Ottoman influences, a pinch of Paris and the magnificent colonial style of the English. Enjoy this enchanting mix of styles, be surprised by ornate Greek churches and learn to love Corfu. the old town of corfu was added to the

UneSco world heritage list in 2007.

Saturday, 23rd May 2015relax at Sea

Sunday 24th May 2015valletta, Malta

arrival 04:00Our journey is drawing to a close today. At approximately 04:00 we reach Valletta / Malta, the starting point of the cruise. Captain and crew say goodbye and wish you a good

trip home. Organised transfers take you to the airport.

t r a v e l l I S t e n

d I S c o v e r e x p e r I e n c e

e n J o Y

tIcKet categorIeSthe ticket categories for the concerts will be allocated

according to the cabin categories. for rehearsals and other events there will be free choice of seats.

SIngle and 3 and 4-Bed occUpancY on request

Shore excUrSIonSShore excursions can be booked with us until max. 4 weeks prior to departure. please ask us for detailed programme.

(approx. 3 months prior to departure)

fUel SUrcharge:depending on the development of fuel prices, fuel

surcharges may change at any time and must be charged accordingly. If this happens, we will inform you immediately.

categorIeS & prIceS (per person based on double occupancy)

category Size in m2

(Balcony) deck code price

Inside Cat. A 17 m2 9 INA € 3.175,-Outside Cat. B 17 m2 3 AUB € 3.635,-Balcony Cat. C 17 ( 5-7) m2 8, 9 BAC € 4.370,-Balcony Cat. B 17 ( 5-7) m2 9, 11 BAB € 4.450,-Balcony Cat. A 17 ( 5-7) m2 10, 11 BAA € 4.520,-Junior Suite with balcony 26 (8) m2 10 JSA € 5.420,-

S e a & M U S I c 2 0 1 5 e x p l o r e f I v e

U n e S c o w o r l d h e r I t a g e S I t e S

1 5 . 0 5 . 2 0 1 5 – 2 4 . 0 5 . 2 0 1 5

valletta (Malta) - Brindisi (Italy) - dubrovnik (croatia) - Kotor (Montenegro) - corfu town (corfu) - valletta (Malta)

terMS & condItIonSThe general Austrian travel regulations (Allgemeine Österreichische Reisebedingungen, ARB 199 2) in the latest valid version shall apply

(adjustment to the amendment of the Consumer law, Konsumentenschutz BGBI. 247/93,and to the warranty changing-law, Gewährleistungs-recht-Änderungsgesetz BGBI. I Nr. 48/2001), except article 7. 1. c, d and the general travel regulations of the shipping company TUI Cruises

GmbH, Anckelmannsplatz 1, 20537 Hamburg. Cruise date, itinerary and anchorages (Adria with Croatia 2015) are subject to change.cancellation, rebooking or replacement: Cancellation of your booking can be made up to the date of departure. Cancellation is valid from the

date of receipt. Cancellation fees are as follows per person in percent of cruise price: From booking date until 60 days prior departure 25% of the price. Until 50 days prior departure: 35% cancellation costs. From 49 to 30 days prior departure 45% cancellation costs. From 29 to 24 days prior departure 60% cancellation costs. From 23 to 17 days prior departure 80% cancellation costs. From 16 to 1 day prior to departure

100%. No-show: 100%. Name-change from booking date: € 50,- per person until issue of documents, thereafter € 100,- per person. A booking is deemed valid with your signature. Once signed, you are liable for the fulfillment of this entire contract including all listed travellers.

We charge a € 20,- booking fee. concert program: Subject to change. On board you will be provided with a cruise planner for a detailed program including the start times of all the events. For changes made at short notice, please refer to your daily program, which can be found in your cabin. part charter: This cruise is a part charter, which means we have an allotment for a closed group on board of the Mein Schiff 3. However there are also other people on this ship who do not participate in the music programme. additional Services: Shore excursions can be booked directly with us up to max. four weeks prior to departure. fuel surcharges: Depending on the development of fuel prices, fuel and

kerosene surcharges may change at any time and must be calculated accordingly. Should this occur, we will inform you immediately. Your booking is only binding when confirmed by MM REISEGESELLSCHAFT mbH. We will endeavour to fulfil customer requirements, but these are not an integral part of this contract. On making your booking you accept electronic registration of your name and address.

Deviations from the contract and any changes are to be made in written form. Cruise prices, shore excursions and programmes are subject to change – mistakes, misprints or counting errors excepted. A minimum number of participants are required for the performance of the music

programme.operator: MM reISegeSellSchaft mbH, A 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Mießtaler Str. 14Safeguarding of customer’s money (in accordance with the regulation of travel agents assurance, reisebüroversicherungsordnung - rSv):

According to the “ Reisebürosicherungsverordnung” (travel agencies regulation) (RSV) customer deposits for MM Reisegesellschaft package tours are covered by the following conditions: The down payment is to be paid no earlier than eleven months before the end of the journey and shall be 20% of the total tour price. The balance is payable no earlier than three weeks (20 days) before the trip –Please note that the travel documents will be sent only after receipt of the total payment and upon receipt of the completed passport data form by us via mail approxi-mately 10 days prior departure. Any additional or advance prepayments or balance payments are not required and are also not safeguarded.A direct claim from each traveller may be made to AGA International S.A. Niederlassung für Österreich, Pottendorfer Strasse 25-27, 1020

Vienna, Austria, which is authorized by the guarantor. The guarantor’s liability to the consumer is limited to the travel price paid by the consu-mer and in case of damage is limited to the total insurance amount. In case the amount of insurance does not cover all claims, the consumers’ claim will be settled pro-rata. All claims are to be notified, with any relevant evidence, to the authorized agent within 8 weeks from the occur-rence of damage, otherwise the claim expires. MM Reisegesellschaft Klagenfurt (commercial register No./FN 140876) is recorded in the Tour Operator Register with the No. 1998/0234. Competent court is Klagenfurt, Austria. Austrian Law shall apply. The details and the program of

this journey, notably the route, the artists and the venues are subject to change without notice. This does not entitle the customer to withdraw from their contract. Due to operational reasons it may be that not all performers and special guests are on board throughout the whole cruise.

The shore excursions are carried out as specified, subject to change. The conditions of the shipping company TUI Cruises apply.photo credits: © TUI Cruises, Manfred Bockelmann, Dorothee Falke, Stefan Reichmann, Julia Wesely, Stefan Panfili.