Despite the heat, this Lovran Wind Orchestra from Croatia, still kept playing music for the public after the General Audience with Pope Francis.
They were invited to Rome by the orchestra of Castelnuovo di Porto to join them in celebration for four days. As a climax to their trip, they got to perform for the pope.
DAVID KURTI
Lovran Wind Orchestra
“Oh it was a magnificent feeling. It is the best part of our journey.” “He went close to us, he didn't have time to join us, but I am sure he was glad he got music.”
Founded in 1911, this orchestra plays around 70 concerts a year and has a mixture of both amateur young and older musicians.
DAVID KURTI
Lovran Wind Orchestra
“We are a nice group and we like to play music of all kinds, but this one was special.”
For the pope they wanted to play a tune from their region called “Croatian Sailors,” to show where they are from.
DAVID KURTI
Lovran Wind Orchestra
“Our region is by the sea, Lovran is a town by the sea in the Eastern Istria and as you see from our uniforms we are dressed as sailors. So that is why we played 'Croatian sailors' to honor the pope with our uniforms.”
After a long morning performing in St. Peter's Square, they hope to explore a bit of Rome before taking a 10-hour journey back to their home, leaving with unforgettable experiences of Rome.