With 3,000 singers in 60 choirs performing at some 40 venues, there will be few places in Cornwall untouched by choral music this weekend.
The sixth biennial Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival started yesterday when the young members of the Czech Boys Choir, dressed in full regalia, sang on St Michael's Mount. As guests of James St Aubyn, who recently became the new Lord St Levan, the boys' outdoor concert heralded the start of what promises to be four days of quality music.
More than 50 concerts, involving singers from Australia, Russia, Finland, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Russia, France, Germany, Lithuania, England, Scotland and Wales, as well as Cornwall itself, will perform to more than 30,000 people. Venues range from Truro Cathedral and Hall for Cornwall to St Neot Church and St Just Methodist Chapel.
The first event of the programme took place yesterday evening, when Cornwall Boys Choir joined Cornwall Cambiata, The Scholars, Dagilelis from Lithuania and St Petersburg Boys Choir in an International Youth Gala Concert at Truro Methodist Church. Today will see concerts in Truro, Falmouth, Porthleven, Redruth and Liskeard.
Peter Davies said: "We aim to be inclusive and spread the joy of this wonderful event right across Cornwall. Every community will have access to world-class singing and we hope people will flock to show their appreciation for so much home-grown and international talent."
Dozens of daytime concerts will be staged in gardens, schools and picturesque locations from Bude to Paul. The Hall for Cornwall finale on Monday will see St Keverne Youth Band accompanying choirs from Mevagissey, Sydney, Lithuania and St Petersburg. For more details visit www.cimvcf.org.uk or the box office at www.hallforcornwall.org.uk
