6 magical events to see at this year’s Cork International Choral Festival
Brought to you by Cork International Choral Festival.
It’s one of Cork’s oldest festivals.
But Cork International Choral Festival is showing no signs of slowing down as it enters its 68th year; with just over two weeks to go, the event makes a welcome return to the streets and stages of the city and county for five days of singing from April 26th to April 30th, 2023.
Musical or not, everyone is invited to get involved and participate in the various workshops, events and performances on offer.
This year’s festival is expected to welcome the largest international attendance since pre-pandemic times with upwards of 5,000 performers from Belgium, Burundi, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and the UK , and gala events are already selling quickly.
Choirs will participate in gala performances, national and international trophy competitions, fringe concerts, workshops, and free public performances in more than 90 venues from St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and Emmet Place to Triskel Christchurch and the Freemason’s Hall, to name just a few.
The fun always spills onto the streets, cafes, restaurants, and bars of the city too, creating an unbeatable atmosphere across the May bank holiday weekend.
Here are six of the most magical events to check out this year:
Choirs at The Goldie Chapel – Bergen Mannskor (NORWAY)
11am, Thursday, April 27th, 2023
The beautiful high Victorian chapel in the heart of Nano Nagle Place is the venue for this magical morning event in one of Cork’s most intimate venues.
Designed by architect George Goldie in 1865, the architecture is intended to enhance the sound of singing voices, making it the perfect place to hear a great choir in action.
Consort Singing and Conducting with The Gesualdo Six
2pm, April 27th, 2023
The Gesualdo Six will work with International Choral Conducting Course participants on directing a choral group from within, discussing what the singers need from a director and also what they might not necessarily need. At this event at the Clayton Hotel, they will also demonstrate singing without a conductor and show how these skills as choral singers can be useful to conductors too.
Choirs at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral – Jugendchor Liederkranz 1871 e.V. Malsch (GERMANY)
11am, April 29th, 2023
A magnificent piece of Gothic Revival architecture that has been an integral part of the city’s landscape since its completion in 1879, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral is the venue for this concert, where you’ll have the opportunity to experience the Cathedral’s remarkable acoustics as the choir’s voices reverberate throughout the space. The music will be complemented by the Cathedral’s stunning surroundings, including the intricate stonework, stained glass windows, and grand arches that soar overhead.
The Big Sing with Orla Flanagan
12.15pm, Saturday, April 29th, 2023
The annual Big Sing returns on Saturday, April 29th to Cork City Hall, inviting singers of all ages and levels of experience along to be part of the largest choir of the festival, ensuring that everybody is given the opportunity to exercise their vocal chords.
Choral Trail in Spike Island, Cobh – Coro Monte Penice (ITALY)
2pm, April 29th, 2023
The Festival’s Choral Trail is a unique and exciting opportunity for choral music lovers to experience the magic of choral performances in unexpected and delightful locations. As you join the trail, you will have the chance to encounter visiting choirs from different parts of the world, showcasing their diverse talents and styles in pop-up performances that will take place in various venues across Cork City and County.
Closing Gala Concert at Cork City Hall
8pm, April 30th, 2023
International choirs will present choral music representative of their musical and ethnic backgrounds in a celebratory final Closing Gala Concert. The week will draw to a close and the international choirs will mark the end of a superb festival with a joyful and colourful celebration of song.
Tickets from €21 here.
The Cork International Choral Festival takes place across the streets and stages of Cork city and county for five days of singing from April 26th to April 30th, 2023. For Festival Tickets and more information see corkchoral.ie
