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The city of Cork will be hitting a high note this May bank holiday weekend. The Cork International Choral Festival will make a welcome return to the streets and stages of the city and county for five days of song from 1st – 5th May 2024. And you’re invited to join in the music and song!
The event, which is the oldest festival in Cork and one of Europe’s premier international choral festivals, has been held annually since 1954 and is renowned for its eclectic and wide-ranging programme, and the friendliness of its welcome.
The Festival team is getting ready to welcome back thousands of singers from global and national choirs, and tens of thousands of visitors for an incredible programme of gala performances, national and international trophy competitions, fringe concerts, workshops, and free public performances in over 90 venues. The fun even spills into the streets, cafes, restaurants and bars of Cork.
Whether you can hold a note or not, everyone is invited to get in tune and participate in the wide range of various workshops, events, and performances on offer.
Over the five days, highlights include a stunning Opening Gala performance by Cork School of Music [CSM] Symphony Orchestra and Fleischmann Choir where they celebrate Stanford at 100 by presenting the composer’s iconic Stabat Mater on Wednesday 1st May.
On Thursday night, one of Europe’s most well-known choirs, The State Choir LATVIJA, will perform in Cork City Hall. The internationally acclaimed choir is famous for both its academic excellence as well as its innovative projects and has participated in recordings produced by Naxos, Warner Brothers, Harmonia Mundi, Wergo and Ondine.
St. Finbarre’s Cathedral will reverberate beautifully to the sounds of Chamber Choir Ireland who will give the premier performance of the winning composition of the 2024 Seán Ó Riada composition competition.
Other highlights include the popular Afternoons in the Atrium, Clayton Hotel on Saturday and Sunday 4th & 5th May and the Cobh Fringe Festival, with choir performances in St. Colman’s Cathedral, Christ Church, The Heritage Centre, Bandstand on the Promenade and several local schools.
The Marina Market will be humming on Saturday 4th May with a live choir performance – a new addition this year.
Other exciting events during the festival itself will include the hotly contested annual Aloys Fleischmann International Trophy competition – a unique chance to hear some of the world’s top amateur choirs competing for one of Europe’s most prestigious choral prizes. And mark your diaries for the Ireland’s Choir of the Year finals, where the country’s finest choirs will compete for this prestigious title.
Don’t miss out on this exhilarating celebration of music and song. Mark your calendars for the Cork International Choral Festival from 1st – 5th May. Tickets and more information can be found at www.corkchoral.ie
The Cork International Choral Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council, with the Irish Examiner, Evening Echo and Cork’s 96FM as media partners.