“I always come, it’s by far the highlight of my singing year.”
The Festival Choir week begins with rehearsals on Saturday 15 July, leading to your first performance on Tuesday, which will be a presentation of romantic and contemporary works for choir and organ, directed by Pedro Correia, at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in the historic centre of Tomar. For the rest of the week, you will be joined by all the other choral groups in preparation for the Four Choral Seasons programme, directed by Brian MacKay, which we will perform in Batalha on Friday evening, returning to Tomar for a second concert in the Convento do Cristo on Saturday 22 July.
Throughout the week, the Festival Choir will be rehearsed by Pedro Correia and Brian MacKay and coached by members of Záve, our resident professional vocal ensemble, who will also join you for your concerts.
“A wonderful choral concert made all the more rewarding by having the professionals supporting and singing with us in the choir. It really elevated my own performance.”
The ZêzereArts Festival Chorus attracts experienced choral singers from all over the world who wish to combine their love of singing and performing with a holiday in the sunshine, meeting like-minded people and enjoying the wealth of cultural experiences to be discovered in this region.
To enhance the ZêzereArts choral experience, there are also optional activities available to all Festival Choir participants: new for 2023 will be our programme of workshop events, led by experienced practitioners and researchers, and, for those wishing to develop their vocal technique, we offer individual singing lessons.
Typically based in and around the historic city of Tomar, the Festival Chorus week involves daily rehearsals culminating in public performances alongside all our choral groups and collaborating with the festival’s professional musicians and student instrumentalists.
During their stay, participants enjoy access to free Festival performances and plenty of downtime in which to explore the local sights and culture, and soak up the atmosphere.
Our performance venues feature UNESCO world heritage monuments and medieval buildings, such as the Convento de Cristo, Batalha Monastery, and the Church of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, in Tomar.
Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Tomar – Tuesday 18 July
Charles Gounod – Miserere
Jehan Alain – O Salutaris Hostia
Jean Langlais – Huit Chants de Bretagne, Angelus (Organ)
Franz Liszt – Ave Maria
Felix Mendelssohn – How lovely are the Messengers (St. Paul)
Louis Vierne – Gloria (Messe Solennelle)
Mosteiro da Batalha – Friday 21 July
Convento de Cristo, Tomar – Saturday 22 July
Haydn – Komm, holder Lenz (Der Frühling)
Samuel Barber – Sure on this Shining Night
Haydn – Heil, o Sonne, Heil (Der Sommer)
Ola Gjeilo – Across the Vast Eternal Sky
Haydn – So lohnet die Natur den Fleiss (Der Herbst)
Trent Worthington – Três Canções de Inverno
Haydn – Dann bricht der grosse Morgen (Der Winter)
SATURDAY: Arrival in Tomar. Afternoon/evening: welcome, registration and rehearsals
SUNDAY: Morning: rehearsals. Afternoon: free time. Early evening: rehearsals
MONDAY: Morning: rehearsals. Afternoon: workshop (optional) / free time. Early evening: rehearsals.
TUESDAY: Morning: rehearsal and soundcheck in venue. Afternoon: workshop (optional) / free time. Evening: concert performance.
WEDNESDAY: Morning: all choral groups meet & rehearse. Afternoon: workshop (optional) / free time. Early evening: rehearsals. Evening: attend ZêzereArts concert (free entry)
THURSDAY: Morning: rehearsals / singing lesson (optional). Afternoon: workshop (optional) / free time. Early evening: rehearsals. Evening: attend ZêzereArts concert (free entry)
FRIDAY: Morning: rehearsals. Afternoon: coach travel to Batalha, rehearsal. Evening: concert performance.
SATURDAY: Morning: workshop (optional) / free time. Afternoon: rehearsal in venue. Evening: concert performance, end of choral week celebration.
SUNDAY: Leisure time / onward travel.
*All timings and activities are subject to change. Participants will receive their outline schedule in advance and daily updates during the festival.
Course fee: €420
If you have a special offer code, please enter the details under ‘Other Comments’ in the form above.
Once accepted a deposit payment of €150 will be required in order to secure your place.
The balance will be due at a later date.
There are many accommodation options available in Tomar and we can help you to find the best one to suit both your requirements and your budget