GRAMMY award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre brought a touch of virtual music to Limerick as part of the Limerick Sings International Choral Festival at the University Concert Hall.
Famed for his “Virtual Choir” projects which bring individual voices from around the world together into an online choir, the US musician provided workshops as part of the annual festival before conducting the County Limerick Youth Choir at the Gala Concert.
Almost 700 choristers, of all types, sizes, and ages, from the United States, Estonia, Norway and Iceland joined some of Limerick, Clare and Cork’s most accomplished ensembles during the four-day non-competitive event which was held across various venues in Limerick.
The Gala Concert formed part of the venue’s 25th Anniversary celebrations and featured both local and visiting choirs, presented by RTÉ Lyric’s Liz Nolan.
Perform International Festival Choir and acclaimed conductor Dr Jeffery Redding opened the concert with Coronation Anthems accompanied by Limerick Chamber Players, while the Limerick Choral Union performed a rousing rendition of the Hallelujah chorus directed by Malcolm Green, the longest-serving director in their 53-year history.
Sinead Hope, Artistic Director of Limerick Sings, said it was “a real indicator of how much the Limerick Sings Festival has grown over the years” that someone of Eric Whitacre’s experience and reputation was delighted to be a part of it.
“Our Gala Concert was a huge success and it was wonderful to see local choirs share a stage with so many wonderful visiting US choirs and conductors,” she said.
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