As one of the most anticipated events of the European Capital of Culture year in Riga, the World Choir Games, which will take place from July 9 to 19, will present more than 100 different choir events in Riga’s concert halls, on open-air stages in parks and squares, and outside the capital as well. Competitions, friendship concerts, master classes by world-class musicians and a meeting of the World Choir Council will make Riga the world’s choir capital for two whole weeks.
Choirs will compete in 29 categories, including academic choir singing, sacred music, traditional folk music, as well as jazz, pop, spirituals and gospel music. The event will also feature 24 master classes under the guidance of renowned musicians, two Stars of the World Choir Games concerts at “Arena Riga “, solo concerts by World Choir Games special guests The Real Group and The King’s Singers, premieres of works by world-renowned choir composer Morten Lauridsen and the young Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds, a concert by a joint Baltic boys choir, at least 30 friendship concerts in Rīga’s Esplanāde, Vērmanes Park and elsewhere in the city, as well as gala concerts in Sigulda and Jūrmala, a sacred music concert and a parade of participants.
Furthermore, various friendship concerts will also be held, taking place on outdoor city stages with particularly colorful and diverse programs. The concerts will feature choirs from 57 countries, including South Africa, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, numerous children’s choirs and small chamber ensembles, as well as singers of spirituals and traditional folk music.
During the World Choir Games, a gathering of the World Choir Council will be held in Riga for its regular meeting, said Ralf Eisenbeiβ, representing the German cultural organization INTERKULTUR and artistic director of the World Choir Games, at the press conference. The Choir Council currently consists of nearly one hundred representatives from 80 countries who will discuss key sector issues and will share their experience of choir-culture development in their countries at their meeting during the Games.
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