Festival in May

Graz becomes the capital of choirs for the tenth time

The major "Voices of Spirit" festival is taking place for the tenth time this year. Graz will be the capital of choirs from May 8 to 12. More than 1000 singers will be performing in the city center at the opening alone. In addition, 20 top-class concerts, exciting workshops and coaching sessions with international stars and much more await.

The program for the anniversary edition of "Voices of Spirit" was presented on Wednesday, 20 March. "We can cover the entire range of choral singing," says Dominikus Plaschg, President of the Choir Association, "the focus is on joy, emotion, encounters and making music and singing together."

Artistic Director Franz Herzog introduced the top-class "Artists in Residence", who will be giving concerts, coaching sessions and workshops throughout the festival. For example, Ola Gjeilo from Norway, one of the world's most renowned composers and pianists, will be a guest. As will the women's ensemble Nobuntu from Zimbabwe and the vocal ensemble Latvian Voices. Other highlights include performances by the ensemble Anja Om Plus and the Austrian Youth Choir.

The master class for choral conducting will be led by the renowned conductor Jan Schumacher from Germany. And an intensive course in jazz singing with the singer, singing teacher and pianist Simone Kopmajer rounds off the workshop program.

Due to the huge demand, there are now three festival choirs, led by Benjamin Lack (Professor of Choral Conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz), Oskar Egle from Vorarlberg and the Latvian Voices.

Long Night of the Choirs
The opening of the festival is an absolute highlight. "At the Long Night of Choirs on 8 May, around 40 choirs with more than 1000 singers will envelop the city center of Graz in a cloud of sound," says regional choir director Miriam Ahrer. Churches, courtyards and halls will serve as stages, offering a colorful cross-section of the diverse choral landscape.

Concert highlights
Numerous concerts are once again an integral part of the festival. For example, Anja Om Plus and Nobuntu will perform on Thursday (May 9) in the Orpheum, Ola Gjeilo and the Austrian Youth Choir on Friday in the Minoritensaal and Latvian Voices on Saturday in the Orpheum. In addition, the festival choirs and the participants of the Masterclass Conducting and the Jazz Singing Workshop will showcase their skills.

The crowning finale of the festival will take place on Sunday (May 12) in the Stübing Open-Air Museum, where numerous Styrian choirs will give an open-air concert.

There are discounts for "Krone" BonusCard holders, information at 

https://vorteilswelt.krone.at/voicesofspirit