Two thousand singers of all ages and nationalities are preparing to descend on Cornwall for the International Male Choral Festival and entertain 45,000 people with events and keenly contested competitions over the May Bank Holiday.

The world’s largest male choral event is welcoming 60 choirs for 50 concerts and celebrations in 40 venues across the county with St Petersburg’s Boys Choir loving the festival so much they are extending their stay for an extra concert at the cliff-top Minack Theatre, on May 2.

With their gothic looks and angelic voices the boys will also pop up on St Michael’s Mount on April 27 and pit their choral wits against young choirs from Warwickshire, Peterborough, Bromley and Cornwall in the Youth Gala Concert and competition at the Hall for Cornwall on Sunday, April 30 at 7pm.

Among the global visitors for this eighth biennial festival are choirs from Australia and America, Russia and across Europe as well as Wales, Scotland, England and, of course, Cornwall itself.

“In these interesting times it’s wonderful to be bringing singers and their entourages from all over the globe together for a long weekend of harmony,” said festival director Rob Elliott. “There’s no agenda apart from singing our hearts out and bringing joy to as many people as we can possibly reach.”

Tickets, which cost from £7 to £20, and details of concerts, competitions and events can be found at hallforcornwall.co.uk, along with a short film show-casing the festival. Competitions, evening concerts and daytime events are being held in all parts of the county at churches, theatres, gardens, castles and tourist attractions.

The Gala Concerts and competitions taking place at Hall for Cornwall are:

April 29: Male Choral Festival Competition at 9am; International Gala Concert, at 8pm, Vocal Six (Sweden), Manifestum (Finland), Froncysyllte Male Vocie Choir, Cor Meibion De Cymru, GV Harmonie 1879 Bernbach e.V (Germany), St Stythians.

April 30: Youth International Gala Concert and competition, at 7pm, Warwickshire County Choristers, Peterborough Boys Choir, Truro School Barbershop, St Petersberg Boys Choir (Russia), Bromley Boys Singers, Warwickshire County Male Voices, Cornwall Boys Choir, Cornwall Cambiata.

Monday: Finale International Gala Concert at 7.30pm, Trelawny Male Choir, Gentlemen Singers (Czech Republic), Wessex Male Choir, Melbourne Welsh Male Voice Choir (Australia), St Petersberg Boys Choir (Russia).

Further details of all the concerts and venues can be found at cimcf.uk.