Wednesday 27th April 2011, 8pm Cork City Hall

Cork International Choral Festival and RTÉ Concert Orchestra present:

Gala Opening Concert – Composer Karl Jenkins conducts the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Our Lady's Choral Society in a performance of ‘The Armed Man'

Composer Karl Jenkins is internationally acclaimed· for his work in the field of choral and film music.· This collaboration with RTÉ presents one of Jenkins' most popular works ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace,’ conducted by the composer, as an exciting and stirring multimedia production with full choir and orchestra as well as live visuals.··

‘Jenkins is the most performed living composer in the world today" - The Arts Desk global survey

Thursday 28th April 2011,8pm Cork Opera House

Cork International Choral Festival and Cork Opera House present 'Ommm'

French beat-boxing sensation Ommm take centre stage at Cork Opera House in a sensational Thursday Night Gala performance. This young ensemble comprises five remarkable voices united by a passion for rhythm, improvisation, harmony and stagecraft. From jazz to trip-hop via French and world music, audiences will be treated to a vocal mosaic of styles and sounds, not to mention a few surprises!

While Ommm’s story began in Paris in 2004, it wasn’t long before the group leaped to international fame, taking first prize at the International A Cappella Competition in Leipzig 2009 after several successful European festival appearances.

Ommm take obvious pleasure in exploring all the possibilities of the human voice. Armed with a solid training in jazz, the quintet have been inspired by different musical genres to create their own particular style, which they call “vocal trip box”. Voices, rhythm, melody, harmony, and impressive vocal beats blend seamlessly with the fun and fresh live performances the group deliver.

‘Ommm uses all resonant ingredients within their reach to make a vocal setting that often sounds like a big musical machine. An a cappella laboratory.’’ - Leipzig Stimmenlabor

Listen to Ommm singing Si le monde:

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The National Chamber Choir of Ireland 

reland’s only professional choir and their conductor Paul Hillier return to Cork for the fourth year in a row to continue what has now become a well established NCC Concert, the first of two comprising the Festival's Friday Cathedrals Nights

Once again the NCC Concert ties in with the Seminar on New Choral Music the following day. This year performance will feature the world premieres of a work by composer Siobhán Cleary, as well a new Irish work by an emerging composer (TBA) as part of the Seán Ó Riada Compsition Competition, commissioned by the Festival together with the NCC.

"The heights of excellence...subtle and imaginative" - Irish Examiner

·Listen to the National Chamber Choir 
singing Stories Kneeplay 1 by Philip Glass:

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‘Evocations’ – Sirin, Russia··

A perennial favourite late night concert with a tranquil and reflective atmosphere, this year’s Evocations will feature the return of the internationally acclaimed Sirin Ensemble from Russia, who last performed at this concert in 2002. The ensemble specialises in authentic Russian Orthodox sacred music and spiritual verse, keeping the ancient tradition of spiritual singing alive.· Sirin’s style is unique, combining a bright, rich sound with overtones and subtle melodies in the techniques of authentic singing masters.·

"Legends in the world of choral singing and celebrated the world over for their vibrant take of Russian Orthodox music'' Irish Examiner ·

Saturday 30th April 2011,·3pm & 8pm Cork City Hall

Fleischmann International Trophy Competition

Many applications are received for this prestigious international competition each year, and the selected choirs for 2011 will join us from all corners of the world.

Representing Czech Republic, Ireland, Korea, Latvia, Philippines, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland, this year's competitors are sure to turn up the heat for this internationally renowned award. In addition to their participation in what is sure to be an outstanding competition, each choir will fill the city with colour and song in a variety of performances throughout the week – click here to find out more and see which choirs you just don’t want to miss!··

Sunday 1st May 2011, 8pm·Cork City Hall·

Closing Gala Concert

The week draws to a close, and our international choirs mark the end of another year with a concert to lift the roof! Enjoy a sample of the best of vocal music on the world stage in this high energy programme of celebratory music and farewell performances as International choirs take their last chance to show Cork audiences what they’re made of!