For five days this October, Derry~Londonderry will resound with harmony and orchestral magic as its international choral festival celebrates its 10th year.
The
City of Derry International Choir Festival (18–22 October), created as a joyous celebration of choral music-making, will stage a fantastic line-up of guest artists for this year’s 10th anniversary programme.
Opening the festival, the 100-voice Festival Chorus will be joined by Northern Ireland’s premier symphony orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, in a performance of Verdi’s dramatic
Messa da Requiem at the Millennium Forum.
Harry Christophers’ The Sixteen, one of the world’s most renowned choral ensembles, will return to the historic Guildhall (20 October) with their programme,
A Watchful Gaze, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of composer William Byrd. This programme explores the music of Byrd’s influences, colleagues and pervading faith, as well as taking his legacy firmly into the modern day with two new works by Dobrinka Tabakova.
Over sixty choirs from across Ireland, the UK and Europe have signed up to participate in the festival’s packed schedule of competitions, workshops and community performances in venues across Derry, Strabane and Inishowen.
A high note of the City of Derry International Choir Festival will see eight of the finest international choirs compete to be crowned winner of the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry International Competition.
Adjudicated by a panel of renowned choral directors from around the world, each choir will present a diverse programme of music featuring works from before the year 1750, a piece from the choir’s native country, as well as a work by a composer from Ireland. The winning choir will be announced at the Closing Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony on Sunday 22 October.
There will also be schools competitions and a non-competitive programme that will see festival choirs join forces with the local choral community for a series of free community concerts and pop-up events.
The City of Derry International Choir Festival has already established itself firmly on the global calendar of international choral festivals and to date some 350 choirs involving over 10,000 singers from around the world have taken part.
It’s another great reason to visit the historic
walled city which combines a fascinating heritage with a vibrant contemporary arts and culture scene.
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