Cork International Choral Festival
Photographers: John Sheehan, and Gabrielle Woods
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| Country and Region | Ireland — Cork |
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| Type of Festival | Music |
| Location of Festival | Cork, County Cork, Ireland |
| Festival Address Information | Cork International Choral Festival |
| Festival Description | Widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier choral festivals, and noted for its high competitive standards, diverse concerts, and the friendliness of its welcome, The 55th Cork International Choral Festival (April 29 - May 3, 2009) will continue to build on this reputation. With the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition and a wide range of national choir competitions maintaining its central purpose as a competitive platform, the festival also brings a wide range of choral concerts, internationally renowned performances and culturally diverse programmes to Cork every year. |
| Festival Dates | April 29 - May 3, 2009 |
| Festival Links | http://www.corkchoral.ie/ |
Festival Events:
Program 2009:
- Wednesday 29th April 2009
- Gala Opening Concert – Cork Symphony Orchestra witht he Harlow Chorus and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir present R Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony
This concert sees two of Cork‘s finest musical traditions join forces, as the Choral Festival together with Cork Symphony Orchestra open the festival in style with a full-scale production of this spectacular choral symphony in its centenary year. They are joined by two of the UK’s finest choirs, the Harlow Chorus and the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir in a performance which also proudly presents soloists Nyle Wolfe (baritone) and Mary Hegarty (soprano).
Venue—Cork City Hall
- Gala Opening Concert – Cork Symphony Orchestra witht he Harlow Chorus and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir present R Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony
- Thursday 30th April 2009
- Thursday Night Gala – Club for Five, Finland
Thursday’s Gala Concert showcases this Finnish ensemble, famous for their unique combining of jazz, pop, rock, and even classical music with a tone and style which is all their own. During performances, audiences are astounded to hear everything from electric guitars and horns to drums and other percussion instruments. All without a single musical instrument on stage! Of course, the band doesn’t merely settle for imitation. Instead, these talented performers effortlessly layer every note and vocal “pop” with a joyful and skilful touch. Performances by these five singers are filled with a delightful energy and exhilarating intensity.
Venue—Cork City Hall
- Thursday Night Gala – Club for Five, Finland
- Friday 1st May 2009
- 7.30pm, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, The National Chamber Choir of Ireland return to the festival by popular demand, in a follow up to last year’s sold-out concert (the first of two concerts comprising the festival’s Friday Cathedrals Night). Once again the concert ties in with the Seminar on New Choral Music which takes place over the following two days, and with conductor Paul Hillier they will feature world premieres of pieces by composers Ezequiel Viñao and Andrew Hamilton, commissioned by the festival together with the National Chamber Choir.
Venue—St FinBarre’s Cathedral - 10.30pm, ‘Evocations’ – Singer Pur, Germany
For five members of the famous Regensburger Domspatzen Cathedral Boys‘ Choir, the aim to make a capella singing their lives had already developed at school: soon after leaving, they put it into practice and founded a vocal ensemble. It was a fortunate love affair that also brought a soprano into their ranks. There are no stylistic limitations to Singer Pur’s repertoire. This a capella vocal sextet present a concert drawing from their repertoire which includes “anything performable by six voices”; from medieval times to the avant-garde and a host of new compositions and arrangements written for the group, various forms of improvisation, co-operations with musicians as diverse as the Hilliard Ensemble, the composer and jazz clarinettist Michael Riessler and the electric guitar quintet Go Guitars.
Venue—North Cathedral
- 7.30pm, National Chamber Choir of Ireland, The National Chamber Choir of Ireland return to the festival by popular demand, in a follow up to last year’s sold-out concert (the first of two concerts comprising the festival’s Friday Cathedrals Night). Once again the concert ties in with the Seminar on New Choral Music which takes place over the following two days, and with conductor Paul Hillier they will feature world premieres of pieces by composers Ezequiel Viñao and Andrew Hamilton, commissioned by the festival together with the National Chamber Choir.
- Saturday 2nd May 2009
- Fleischmann International Trophy Competition
This prestigious competition once again sees some of the best choirs from around the world compete for the internationally renowned award. Get ready, as 2009 sees no less than 11 choirs make their trip to Cork, representing Ireland, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Slovenia and U.S.A.
Venue—Cork City Hall
- Fleischmann International Trophy Competition
- Sunday 3rd May 2009
- Closing Gala Concert
International choirs are in full voice for this high energy concert of celebratory music & farewell performances.
Venue—Cork City Hall
- Closing Gala Concert
Additional programming 2009:
- From Wednesday 29th April to Sunday 3rd May 2009 in various venues across the city & county
- National Competitions
Irish schools and adult choirs from all over the country flock to Cork for five days. - Composers in the Classroom Seminar
Our four schools showcase their work from throughout the year on Wednesday 29th April in the Millennium Hall. Open to all. - Composers in the Classroom Seminar
Our four schools showcase their work from throughout the year on Wednesday 29th April in the Millennium Hall. Open to all. - Public Performances
Choirs bring the festival atmosphere to the streets! Keep an ear tuned for the sound of choirs in a range of unexpected venues across the city & county throughout the week. - School Concerts
International choirs bring their talents to Cork schools for exclusive performances. - Shandon Sunrise
For early birds only! Herald in the summer at 5.50am on May morning when the dawn chorus will be sung from the iconic Shandon Bells to mark this ancient celebration of the first day of summer. - Fringe Concerts
This growing strand of the festival presents daytime concerts perfect for slotting into your lunch break! Full details to be announced closer to festival time. - Non-competitive choirs
Participation by other international choirs will add yet more sparkle to the festival as they join us in Cork! - Church Interchange & Church Visits
Local and visiting choirs bring the festival into churches across Cork with this popular exchange. - Seminar on New Choral Music
2009 sees the seminar return once again with a number of workshops and master classes on modern composition, together with the National Chamber Choir. - Festival Food Fair
Soak up some of the colour at the festival while browsing the stalls of local produce! Taking place on the boardwalk outside the Clarion Hotel with choral performances throughout the day. - Afternoons in the Atrium
Drop in, sit back, relax and enjoy a taster of the festival in the comfort of the Clarion Hotel. Festival choirs present short performances back to back from 3pm to 6pm on festival weekend, in a laid back and informal atmosphere. - Festival Club
Note Perfect are once again set to welcome you to the Festival Club in 2009! The fun kicks off from 11 till late on Saturday and Sunday night in the Clarion Hotel, with two memorable nights of choral carousing…
- National Competitions
Do you have an update or more information about this festival? Email us at updates@kadmusarts.com
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