A They Shall Laugh & Sing Journey

We’re delighted to invite you to join us for a very special week of singing, food, friendship, and discovery, as we prepare to sing Mass in the wonderful Cathedral, in the beautiful Umbrian hill city of Orvieto. This promises to be a truly memorable trip — uplifting, relaxed, and full of music.

We will sing, we will explore, we will eat astonishingly well… and above all, we will enjoy being in each other’s company.

This week will be led by our Artistic Director Jeff Stewart, with the help of Ben Saul.

Arrival & Transfers

All participants should plan to arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport by 3:00pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026.
(Please do not book flights until we confirm that we have sufficient numbers. I will inform you as soon as it’s safe to do so.)

A private transfer will take you from the airport to our home for the week: Monastero San Lodovico, in the heart of Orvieto.

Where We’ll Stay – Monastero San Lodovico

We will be staying in a historic, peaceful former convent: clean, comfortable, simple, and full of character. All rooms are en-suite. This is not a hotel, and that is part of its charm — a quiet and welcoming place with a sense of calm and of history.

Breakfast each day is a traditional Italian breakfast.

Please note: Orvieto sits on top of a hill, and the streets are cobbled and uneven. Transfers may not be able to stop directly outside the monastery, so comfortable footwear and easily portable luggage are strongly recommended.

There are 27 rooms available:

• 8 singles

• 16 doubles/twins

• 5 triples (which may also be used as doubles)

The Music & Purpose of the Week

Singing a service in a cathedral is always a great honour and thrill. The chance to emulate in song the dedication of the architects, stone masons and artists, in this magnificent building, which towers over the city of Orvieto, will be one of life’s highlights.

While this is very much a holiday, we also want each participant to feel proud, fulfilled, and energised by the music we make together. Our goal — in keeping with the principles of They Shall Laugh & Sing — is to help you find joy, confidence, and deeper satisfaction in your singing.

We will rehearse each morning and late afternoon at the Monastero.

On Sunday 21 June, we will sing at Mass in the spectacular Duomo of Orvieto at 6pm.

Proposed repertoire:

• Charles Wood — Oculi Omnium

• Palestrina — Gloria (from Missa Brevis)

• Palestrina — Alleluia

• Ola Gjeilo — Ubi Caritas

• Claudio Casciolini — Sanctus & Benedictus (from Mass in A Minor)

• Lassus — Agnus Dei (from Missa Susanne Un Jour)

• Philip Stopford — O Sacrum Convivium

• Poulenc — Salve Regina

Excursions & Experiences

Your trip includes two wonderful cultural visits:

Orvieto Underground Tour

A guided tour of the extraordinary network of ancient caves and tunnels beneath the city — carved out over 2,500 years, from Etruscan times onward. It is one of Orvieto’s most fascinating treasures.

Duomo & Museum Tickets

Admission to the Duomo and the two neighbouring museums, including the Etruscan History Museum, is included.

You may visit at your leisure on the designated afternoon.

Meals & Restaurants

Every evening from Wednesday to Saturday we will dine together in beautiful, hand-picked restaurants, each one chosen for its excellent reviews and exceptional Umbrian cooking.

On the Sunday we will enjoy a group lunch at a lovely local restaurant, and after the Mass we will take you to a welcoming local hostelry to sample a selection of Orvieto’s wonderful wines with accompanying nibbles.

Lunches on Wednesday–Saturday are at your own discretion — ideal for exploring cafés, trattorie, and piazzas at your own pace.

Prices (All Inclusive)

(Except flights — please do not book until we confirm.)

• Single Room: £1495

• Single occupancy of a Double Room: £1540

• Double or Twin Room (per person): £1295

• Non-singing partner sharing a double room: £1195

• Course-only price (find your own accommodation): £1095

Everything listed above — all specified meals, accommodation, transfers, excursions, rehearsals, and events — is included.

N.B. A 5% discount will be applied to bookings by Alchemy Group Members. This applies to singers who have already been members for a month at the time of booking, and will be applied to the final payment on the condition that they are still members at that time.

Booking Information

We have limited places, and in order to maintain a balanced choir and ensure a fulfilling musical experience for everyone, bookings will be accepted according to voice type, experience and, all other things being equal, the order in which we received your booking.

We have to be mindful that, although this is a holiday, we will be expected to maintain a high standard as the Cathedral choir for the day. Please tell us a bit about your experience in the comments box.

Bookings open at 8:00am on Saturday 29 November. A deposit of £350 will be required at the time of booking. 
If we cannot offer you a place, your deposit will be returned in full. If you have secured a place, your deposit will be non-refundable. The balance will be paid through two further instalments. All bookings are made in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

A Week to Remember

This promises to be a truly wonderful trip — inspiring music, exceptional food and wine, real friendship, and the joy that comes from singing together in a remarkable place.

I would be thrilled to have you with us.