The Cork International Choral Festival celebrates its 51st anniversary this year.

Running until 1 May, the festival commences in the City Hall on Wednesday 27 April 2005 with a performance of Berlioz's Te Deum by the Cologne Philharmonic Choir, the Fleischmann Choir, the Cork School of Music Senior and Youth Choirs and the Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra.

In association with Cork 2005 and the city’s role as European cultural capital, Contemporary Europe, a special concert of contemporary choral music by living composers from throughout the EU, takes place on 29 April. This will be given in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral by the National Chamber Choir (Ireland) under its conductor, Celso Antunes. It includes the premiere performance of two choral settings from James Wilson's new work, Almanac (2004).

Other highlights include a number of Fringe concerts in St Fin Barre's Cathedral and a late night concert, Evocations, in the North Cathedral on Friday 29 April.

The usual range of national and international competitions and awards caters for all types and standards of choir.

The Contemporary Music Centre’s Perpetual Trophy will again be awarded for the best performance of an original choral work by an Irish composer written after 1975.

Further details of all festival events are available on the Festival’s web site.

Posted: 3 February 2005