If you’re visiting Cork at the end of April, you might want to include the Cork International Choral Festival on your itinerary.
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The oldest festival in Cork — and in Europe — makes a welcome return to the city for five days, from April 26 through 30.
Choral concerts, workshops and other events are part of a large program of events set for the renowned festival, which is now in its 68th year.
Up to 5,000 performers from Belgium, Burundi, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and the UK are expected to perform.
The choirs will participate in gala performances, national and international trophy competitions, fringe concerts, workshops, and free public performances in more than 90 venues throughout the city and county.
The fun event is expected to spill out into the streets, cafes, restaurants, and bars of the city, giving it a fantastic atmosphere leading up to the long bank holiday weekend.
The Opening Gala Concert on April 26th will feature 300 primary school children from the Irish Youth Choir and the Cork Children’s Choir.
Venues include Cork City Hall; St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, Emmet Place, Triskel Christchurch, MTU Cork College of Music, North Cathedral, The Goldie Chapel at Nano Nagle Place, as well as the Freemason’s Hall on Tuckey Street, to name just a few.
St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, which is a popular tourist destination in the city, will reverberate beautifully to the sounds of the Chamber Choir Ireland performance.
The concert will bring together contemporary works by Irish and French composers, exploring the theme of peace through texts ranging from Sanskrit to scripture and some of the greatest poets and writers spanning the centuries.
Some of the world’s top amateur choirs will get their chance to compete for the Aloys Fleischmann International Trophy, one of Europe’s most prestigious choral prizes.
Other festival highlights will include the Ireland’s Choir of the Year competition, as well as the Fringe Choral Festival to be held at venues in Cobh, including St Colman’s Cathedral and the Cobh Heritage Centre.
Purchase tickets on the festival website.