Gala Opening Concert – Touché (Denmark) Cork City Hall, Wednesday April 30th 2008
This year’s festival will open with Touché, a Danish a capella jazz ensemble known for its big band-like arrangements, awesome swing and tender ballads, Touché’s reputation is fast growing across Europe. Hot & sweet, cool & lyrical, Touché embraces the best of jazz styles with its unique trumpet imitations, vocal percussion and smoky voices.
http://www.touchekor.dk/en/

Thursday Night Gala – musica intima (Canada) Cork City Hall, Thursday May 1st 2008
Internationally renowned for performances and recordings that sparkle with fresh insight and vibrant musicality, musica intima has become one of Canada’s most exciting vocal ensembles. The 12 professional singers rehearse and perform without a conductor, all owing them to exchange ideas freely while exploring their own musical creativity, and engage the audience with a spontaneity and freshness all their own.
http://www.musicaintima.org/index.php

Concert – National Chamber Choir of Ireland, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Friday May 2nd 2008
The National Chamber Choir is widely regarded as the country’s most distinguished choral ensemble. This concert (the first of two concerts comprising the festival’s Friday Cathedrals Night) will see the world premieres of pieces by composers Tarik O’Regan and Rhona Clarke, commissioned by the Festival together with the NCC.
http://www.dcu.ie/chamber/concerts.shtml

‘Evocations’ at the North Cathedral – Amarcord (Germany) Friday 2nd May 2008
Founded in 1992 in Leipzig, Amarcord has since become one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles; characterised by their unique tone, breathtaking homogeneity, musical authenticity, and a good dose of charm and humour. This young quintet’s repertoire ranges from Medieval and Renaissance compositions and madrigals to collaborations with contemporary composers and a capella arrangements of famous songs spanning all facets of vocal music.
http://www.ensemble-amarcord.com/index.php?lang=en

Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, 3pm & 8pm, City Hall Saturday 3rd May 2008
Visiting choirs compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Sunday Closing Gala, 4th May 2008 7.30pm, City Hall
Celebratory music and farewell performances from international groups.