World choral festival to arrive in May

CHOIRS from across the world will be on song in Cork next month for the city’s 53rd International Choral Festival.

“For five days in May, the city will resound to the best of choral music, as this year’s event presents a truly exciting programme,” festival director John Fitzpatrick said last night.

“From Renaissance to rock, classical to contemporary, ethnic to eccentric, and sacred to swing, our wide-ranging programme caters for all tastes, and features many really special groups.”

A food fair and several free open-air performances at locations around the city will add to the festival mood.

Seventy five Irish choirs will take part in the national competition which starts on May 2.

International choirs from Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and America will compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy.

A number of gala concerts will take place this year, reflecting the programme diversity.

The festival, of which the Irish Examiner is a sponsor, will kick off at City Hall on May 2 with a Sonata to Salsa concert by the London-based Swingle Singers.

The Ethnic Voices concert returns this year with Dona Rosa performing traditional Portuguese Fado singing and the exceptional Central Asian quartet, Huun-Huur-Tu, performing the multi-layered throat-singing technique from their native Tuva.

The city’s cathedrals will also host concerts with Cross-Overs taking place at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on May 4 followed by Evocations at the North Cathedral at 10.30pm.

Cross-Overs will feature the Cois Cladaigh Chamber Choir with special guests, Deirbhile Ní Bhrolcháin (sean-nós singer) and jazz saxophonist Bertrand Huvé.

Evocations will feature one of Europe’s most outstanding young vocal quintets, The Calmus Ensemble, who will present a programme of vocal music spanning three centuries.

A food fair will take place on the boardwalk of Lapps Quay at the weekend with choral performances throughout the day.

And a Festival Club at the Clarion Hotel will host a range of concerts.

Hundreds of second level students will get involved in a Composers in the Classroom project with composers Irene Buckley, Ann Cleare, Louise McCarthy and John Spillane.

Booking: Cork Opera House, tel: [phone], or www.corkoperahouse.ie.

Programme details: www.corkchoral.ie