Over 2,000 choristers in Derry for international festival

The City of Derry International Choir Festival is back for its 10th anniversary

More than 2,000 choristers are in Londonderry for one of the biggest events in the city's calendar.

Eighty choirs from around the world are in Derry for its 10th international choir festival, one of the biggest in the UK or Ireland.

They represent countries such as Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Finland.

Closer to home, there are competitors from Ireland, north and south, England and Wales.

The event began in 2013 and is now recognised as one of the biggest events of its kind in the UK.

Vocal ensemble Tenebrae returned for a live performance in St Columb's Cathedral in 2021

"Other than Antarctica, we've had choristers from every continent in the world," artistic director Dónal Doherty told BBC Radio Foyle's The North West Today programme.

Mr Doherty described the festival as "rich in diversity and all styles of music".

It is an event where professional singers rub shoulders with amateur ensembles and community groups.

Eighty choirs are set to take part in the festival, with more than 2,000 choristers

"It's so extensive, there will be choirs singing everywhere throughout the city and district," Mr Doherty said.

"It spills over into Donegal, Limavady and Strabane, and of course all the events we're going to have in the beautiful settings of the Millennium Forum and Guildhall.

"Its success is due largely to the support and love shown by the people of Derry and the north west to our many national and international visitors.

"For one week each year, the city of song comes alive with the sound of thousands of singers sharing their joy of music with the local community. "

The Armed Man with Ulster Orchestra and Festival Chorus performing in 2019

Opening the festival in the Millennium Forum on Wednesday evening, the 100-strong festival chorus, made up of singers from across the north west, performed the dramatic Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi with the Ulster Orchestra.

'We're going to pack Guildhall Square'

A number of guest soloists including Mexican tenor Benito Rodriguez and Derry soprano Laura Sheerin also performed.

On Thursday at 18:00 BST, a chorus of local children will perform a rendition of 'Dreams' by the Cranberries as well as some other fan favourites from the hit sitcom Derry Girls.

"We're going to pack the Guildhall Square, reminiscent of Clinton's visit in the famous scene from Derry Girls with a wonderful performance of Dreams," Mr Doherty explained.

The festival is also community based with performers from across the North West

"That's for everyone in the city to celebrate Lisa McGee's creativity, to reflect that joy through singing."

Choral ensemble The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers, will take to the Guildhall stage on Friday with a programme of choral music composed and influenced by Renaissance composer, William Byrd, as 2023 marks the 400th anniversary of his death.

In addition to the headliners, school, national and international choirs will take part in a series of competitions across the five-day festival.

National choirs will strive to be crowned Choir of the Festival, while international performers will compete for the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy.

Performers in St. Columb's Hall during previous festivals

Róisin Blunnie of the Dublin-based Laetare Vocal Ensemble said performing in Derry will be "an unparalleled opportunity" for her choir.

"It's such a privilege to be able to perform in this festival, artistically it's really special in terms of the international feel and the local community element, and that's all down to Dónal [Doherty] and all of the people involved in organising it," she said.

'Escaping the pressure of life'

"Singing in an iconic building like the Guildhall with its acoustics and the history of the building, it's incredible.

"My choir is made up of people who are dealing with stress and decision-making in their jobs or their daily lives and they leave all that at the door when they sing together - that's why we're looking forward to this so much.

"It's such a wonderful way of escaping the pressure of life in a healthy, positive way."

The festival will also host a programme of non-competitive concerts, pop-up performances and sacred services which will see local choirs sharing the stage with visiting groups and singing in venues and public spaces across the city, district and throughout the northwest region.

More information on the festival's line up of events can be found here.