Streets are alive with the sound of music

As Cork tunes up for its annual choral extravaganza, Nicki ffrench Davis talks to director John Fitzpatrick about changes at the festival and what makes it so special

SPRING may have arrived late this year but the lengthening days make one thing certain. Cork International Choral Festival is fast approaching, and with it a blossoming of harmonious song around the city. With several new offshoots this year, especially to mark the year of The Gathering, the 2013 festival is set to be one of the biggest to date.

“There’ll be more than 5,000 participants,” says John Fitzpatrick, who has been festival director for the past 20 years. “We have attracted close to 1,000 singers from outside the country, which is a major increase on last year.”