The Taipei International Choral Festival brings together global talents across Taiwan, featuring more than 270 international singers and nearly 800 local performers. Furthermore, concerts take place in various venues, including Taipei, Yilan, Nantou, Chiayi, and Tainan. One major highlight of the Taipei International Choral Festival is the World Choral Championship.
For the first time, Taipei hosts this prestigious competition. Consequently, choirs from the Czech Republic, the Philippines, and Hong Kong compete, showcasing their vocal skills on an international stage.
Earlier, organizers held a press conference at the National Taiwan Museum to preview the festival. At this event, the St. Stanislav Girls’ Choir from Slovenia performed three songs. Led by conductor Helena Fojkar Zupancic, the choir impressed audiences with their ethereal and pure vocal style.
The group consists of high school girls aged 15 to 19. In addition, the women’s choir Vokalion from the Czech Republic performed two pieces. Their conductor, Jan Pirner, guided the choir with precision and passion.
Moreover, Slovenian composer Ambroz Copi expressed excitement about joining the Taipei International Choral Festival. He described it as one of the world’s most important choral gatherings and hopes it will strengthen cultural bonds between Slovenia and Taiwan.
Later, Copi will premiere his new work, “Psalm Cantata,” at Taipei’s National Concert Hall. This piece features the Taipei Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and draws inspiration from the life of a Slovenian doctor who worked in Taiwan. It combines Hakka and Indigenous vocal styles to deliver a message of hope, peace, and love.
The festival will conclude with a grand performance of Georg Friedrich Handel’s “Messiah.” Conductor Gabor Hollerung will lead nearly 300 choir members alongside 100 orchestra musicians from the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus and Youth Orchestra.
Since the oratorio is known for its religious themes, it will be presented in a post-Romantic orchestral arrangement. Overall, the Taipei International Choral Festival promises a rich cultural experience. Through diverse performances and international cooperation, it celebrates the power of music to unite people worldwide.
