The glorious visual feast that is a cruise along Myanmar’s majestic Ayeyarwady River will be brought to life in February 2017 when The Strand Cruise welcomes on board eight classical musicians, including artists from the famous Opéra de Paris and Orchestre de Paris, for an intimate four-night musical cruise over St. Valentine’s Day.
Marking the start of what will be a regular roster of cruises hosted by experts in music, cuisine and photography, a maximum of 42 passengers will share in the experience of hearing scores from some of history’s most famous composers, including Mozart and Puccini, echoing against a backdrop of romantic sunsets, starlit night skies and a vista of thousands of pagodas.
The eight musicians hosting the Strand’s musical cruise include a string quartet of two violins, one viola and a cello, as well was an oboe, clarinet, bassoon and flute. Accompanying them will be Elsa Boublil, a popular French music journalist, who presents a weekly classical music show, ‘Musique Emoi’ on the French radio station, France Musique. Fluent in both English and French, Elsa will provide a lively and informative introduction to each concert, giving background information on the composers and scores.
The Strand’s musical voyage through Myanmar begins on Monday 13th February, when The Strand Cruise departs Bagan for a four-night journey to Mandalay. The eight musicians will treat up to 42 passengers to a series of intimate concerts throughout the cruise against different backdrops and locations, including a Valentine’s Day concert on-board featuring Brahms’ quintet for clarinet and strings, and the theme from the film The Mission for oboe and strings; a Mozart themed recital and dinner on a private sandbank; andsunset on the ship’s sundeck to the sounds of Mozart’s quintet for clarinet and strings, and string quartet in G major. As well as musical evenings, there will be music themed lectures from Elsa, as well as surprise activities with the musicians during the day.
The Strand’s Musical Voyage Through Myanmar departs Bagan on Monday 13th February 2017 and rates are the same as for a regular four-night departure. The Strand is currently offering passengers booking a Superior Suite for a minimum of one night at The Strand Yangon, and Deluxe Cabin on The Strand Cruise for a four-night journey between Bagan and Mandalay, complimentary round trip domestic flights from Yangon to connect with the cruise. Rates start from US$7,600 (from £5,767) per room/cabin based on double occupancy and include one night in a Superior Suite at The Strand Yangon on a bed and breakfast basis, four nights in a Deluxe Cabin on The Strand Cruise, return economy class tickets between Yangon-Bagan and Mandalay-Yangon, all excursions and activities on board The Strand Cruise as described in the set itinerary, three meals during full sailing days, breakfast on day of disembarkation, soft drinks & local beer, house wine during meals, port charges, English speaking guides (alternative language guides can be provided on request subject to availability) and satellite WI-FI in all cabins and public areas.
This classical music cruise is the first in a series of themed trips operated by The Strand Cruise through 2017. The Strand’s Executive Chef, Christian Martena, will host two culinary cruises visiting his favourite local suppliers along the Ayeyarwady River departing 10th and 13th March 2017, which will be followed by a departure lead by a photography expert in October 2017, as well as regular cruises with visiting musicians from world renowned music companies.
SOURCE: The Strand Cruise
