The Magic of the Festival Choir

Last night something magical happened. For the first time in the 37-year history of the festival, a festival choir performed at St. Canice's Cathedral. Conducted by Fergus Sheil (he who composed the choral piece for the launch of the festival earlier this summer), the likes of tenor Christopher Lemmings, baritone Raitis Grigalis, mezzo-soprano Bridget Knowles, pianist Finghin Collins and soprano Aileen Itani took to the stage to perform Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and Rossini's Stabat Mater.

The professional singers (that's what they are, and some of them were already involved in this years festival) were joined by around seventy or so amateur singers who had answered the call earlier this summer to join the festival choir.

I got up in time for the second half of the performance and the place was buzzing both inside and out, the cathedral packed out for the second last event it hosts for this year's festival. Up tonight is Tindersticks with 3epkano but for the moment, look back at the video above for a peek at what was one of the most unique events the festival has ever hosted.

- Ken

Festival Choir & Orchestra

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