Brought to you by Cork International Choral Festival.

It’s the oldest festival in Cork.

But if there’s one thing that’s unique about Cork International Choral Festival, it’s that it never fails to tempt new fans into its welcoming fold.

The five-day celebration of singing will make a welcome return to the streets and stages of the city and county for five days from April 27th to May 1st, 2022, and, as usual, everybody’s invited to join in.

After two years of virtual events, organisers are finally getting ready to welcome back thousands of singers from global and national choirs, and tens of thousands of visitors, for the internationally renowned festival, which is now in its 67th year.

Singers from all over Ireland, Europe, and beyond will participate in gala performances, national and international trophy competitions and fringe concerts, while workshops and free public performances take place in more than 90 venues throughout Cork city and county, some of which will manifest in new and unexpected locations.

The fun even spills into the streets, cafes, restaurants, and bars of Cork as the city enjoys the €10m boost it brings to boot.

Here’s a taste of this year’s highlights:

• The Big Sing

When: Saturday, April 30th, Cork City Hall

Singers of all ages and levels of experience are invited to be part of the largest choir of the festival at this fun participative public event.

The best bit? You don’t even need to be able to sing. It’s simply about lending your voice and experiencing the sheer joy and sense of community that lies at the heart of choral singing. No preparation is necessary; music and lyrics will be handed out on the day.

• Sestina

When: April 27th, 2022, Cork City Hall 

Founded in Belfast in 2011, headline act Sestina is a dynamic vocal ensemble specialising in the performance of early music.

Audiences will enjoy Sestina’s Messiah by GF Handel at the Opening Gala at Cork City Hall in a semi-dramatic manner. Conducted by Mark Chambers, expect soloists and choruses sung from memory in places and an element of interaction designed to bring the piece to life.

• Chamber Choir Ireland at St. Finbarre’s Cathedral

When: Friday, April 29th, St. Finbarre’s Cathedral

One of Cork’s most atmospheric venues will reverberate beautifully to the sounds of Chamber Choir Ireland who will give the premier performance of the winning composition of the 2022 Seán Ó Riada composition competition.

They will continue with their 2022 retrospective on Steve Martland, with a concert that places the late composer in the context of his contemporaries, John Frandsen and John Luther Adams.

The Cork International Choral Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork County Council. Festival Tickets are now live on corkchoral.ie.