TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei International Choral Festival (TICF) got underway Friday (July 26), opening with the Taiwan debut of the Leioa Kantika Korala choir from Spain.

This annual event brings together more than a dozen top international and local choral groups. Ensembles from Indonesia, Norway, and Spain, along with Taiwanese ensembles are to perform across Taiwan.

The festival runs through Aug. 4. It will include 25 concerts across Taiwan, from the Taipei National Concert Hall, to Yilan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung.

At the opener, Leioa Kantika Korala showcased its distinctive style by performing choral pieces in the old and unique Basque language. Conductor Basilio Astulez said the group is honored to participate in the festival.

The choir will perform in Taipei, Yilan, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung, alongside international groups from Indonesia and Norway. It will present Basque music and works by other international composers, said Astulez.

This year's festival welcomes back the Batavia Madrigal Singers (BMS) from Indonesia. This marks the group's second appearance in Taiwan after 20 years. 

Founded by conductor Avip Priatna, the choir has consistently triumphed in numerous choral competitions. The BMS participated in the prestigious European Grand Prix, where it emerged victorious, bringing Indonesian choral music to the world.

Established in 1986, the Norwegian Cantus female choir, under conductor Tove Ramlo, is renowned for its performances of traditional Norwegian folk songs. Besides achieving outstanding results in many competitions, Cantus gained worldwide recognition in 2013 when they sang the song “Vuelie" for the Disney film “Frozen.”

The TICF’s first concert on Sunday (July 28) features Taiwanese conductor Yang Su-han (楊書涵), assistant conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Led by Yang, the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus, Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and renowned domestic vocalists, soprano Chen Mei-ling (陳美玲), mezzo-soprano Chen Pei-chi (陳珮琪), tenor Lee Shih-chao (李世釗), and bass Hsieh Ming-mou (謝銘謀), will perform Austrian composer Anton Bruckner's classic works "Te Deum," "Ave Maria," and "Os Justi.”

The closing concert on Aug. 4 will feature conductor Gabor Hollerung. Leading the TICF Festival Chorus, Taipei Philharmonic Chorus, Taipei Philharmonic Youth Choir, National Taiwan Normal University Chorus, and the Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, it will bring the festival to a perfect close with Verdi's “Requiem.”

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