On April 26, 2023, the Cork International Choral Festival will kick off their five-day celebration of song.

The city of Cork will be host to over 90 venues of free public performances, workshops, national and international trophy competitions, gala performances, and more, featuring artists from Ireland and throughout Europe.

The festival will launch with an opening gala concert by the Irish Youth Choir and Cork Children’s Choir, featuring acclaimed conductor Bernie Sherlock and Artistic Director Peter Stobart leading the first and second halves, respectively.

Performance Date: April 26, 2023.

Next up is “The Gesualdo Six – The Wishing Tree,” a program of choral music drawing inspiration from the natural world.

Performance Date: April; 27, 2023.

“Chamber Choir Ireland – Poets, Passion and Peace” will feature contemporary works by Irish and French composers. Guest conductor Sofi Jeannin will premiere the winning entry of the 2023 Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition.

Performance Date: April 28, 2023.

Jaakko Mäntyjärvi will conduct  the Chamber Choir cc Freia (Finland) in “Light of the North,” a program of music focusing on lights of all kind. The conductor will showcase his own works along with selection by Edvard Grieg, Arvo Part, Cyrillus Kreek, Urmas Sisask, and more.

Performance Date: April 28, 2023.

The Flesichmann International Gala Concert will highlight some of the world’s top amateur choirs as they  compete for the Fleischmann International Trophy, judged by a panel of leading choral experts.

Performance Dates: April, 29, 2023.

The season ends with a gala, a finale of music drawing from the participating choirs’ respective musical and ethnic backgrounds.

Performance Date: April 30, 2023.

Now in its 68^th year, the festival is the oldest in the city and one of Europe’s most prominent choral events. The Cork International Choral Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Failte Ireland, Cork City Council, and Cork County Council, with media partners Irish Examiner, Evening Echo, and Cork’s 96FM.