Renowned international choral festival bringing live choral music to Cardiff
International Choral Festival Cardiff returns for their first in-person competition since the pandemic.
The festival, which has now made its home permanently in Cardiff, has attracted choirs from around the world, and will once again be able to open its doors to a live audience this summer.
Artistic Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths said “I’m delighted to be able to announce that International Choral Festival Cardiff is back! After a short break in 2020 due to the pandemic, we innovated in 2021 to bring together a world-class virtual competition. But it feels so good to be able to welcome choirs to Wales once again for our first in-person festival since 2019.”
In its short history, the festival has welcomed choirs from all over the world, and this year’s festival will be no different, with choirs from around the world competing across four different categories.
The five highest-scoring choirs from across all categories will compete in the Choir of Choirs competition for the prestigious Sir Karl Jenkins Trophy.
Tickets for all competitions will be available for public sale from today (Friday 13 May) and all stages of the competition will be held on Saturday 2 July. Tickets will also be on sale for the Opening Concert on Friday 1 July. Buy tickets here.
Mr Owen Griffiths went on to say:
“As a choral director myself, I know how important it is for choirs to be able to compete again – having something to work towards really lifts the standard of the choir, and it certainly can lift the spirits of the choristers to meet and compete with other top quality choirs from around the world.
“I’m delighted that we’re able to bring our competition back in front of a live audience, and I know that they will a deliver world class performance. My message to the people of Wales and beyond is that live choral singing is back – come and enjoy top quality choirs from around the world, here in our Land of Song!”
Mr Owen Griffiths explained the structure of the festival:
“The festival is designed for there to be something for everyone. The choral competition itself will happen on Saturday 2 July in the stunning BBC Hoddinott Hall within the Wales Millennium Centre. Tickets for all stages of the competition will be available to purchase – with our Choir of Choirs competition in the evening as our crowning event. Or if you’d prefer a more informal concert setting, then why not come to our Opening Night concert on Friday 1 July at Capel y Tabernacl on The Hayes? We’re also planning some events for Sunday 3 July, so keep your ears open for further news on what we have planned!”
More information about Festival 2022