A world of singers are heading for Penwith from May 2 – 6 as towns villages and surrounding scenic spots get set to play their part in the spectacular Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival – the largest event of its kind in Europe.

More than 60 choirs of all ages and nationalities will be taking part in 50 concerts and celebrations in 40 venues right across the county performing throughout five song-filled days to more than 30,000 people.

Penzance, Paul and St Just are all hosting Regional Gala concerts while St Michael’s Mount, Tate St Ives, The Minack Theatre and St Ives waterfront will all see daytime concerts with choirs from as far afield as Russia and Finland joining UK singers from Wales down to Cornwall itself in this celebration of the male choral tradition.

Details of all concerts across the county and ticket bookings for this sixth biennial Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival can be made through the Festival website – www.cimvcf.org.uk (which also has details of local box offices) or directly through the Hall for Cornwall - www.hallforcornwall.org.uk or box office - 01872 262466.

“We aim to spread the joy of this wonderful event right across Cornwall,” said Festival Chairman David Peters. “Penwith is one of our beautiful settings for some world-class singing and we hope people will flock to the concerts to show their appreciation for so much home-grown and international talent.”

Penwith events and Festival International Gala Concerts include:

Thursday 2 May Visit by Czech Boys Choir to St Michael’s Mount Regional Gala Concert at Chapel St Chapel, Penzance (7.30pm, tickets £7.50)- Mousehole Male Voice Choir, Liederblüte (Germany), Tideswell, Czech Boys Choir Inaugural International Youth Gala Concert (7.00pm – tickets £11) Truro Methodist Church - Cornwall Boys Choir, Cornwall Cambiata, The Scholars from Truro Cathedral, Dagilelis from Lithuania and St Petersburg Boys Choir Friday 3 May International Gala Concert (7.30pm tickets £11 - £17) Truro Cathedral - Truro Cathedral Choir, Colne Valley, Warwickshire County, Westerton (Scotland), Czech Boys Choir, Deurnes Mannenkoor (Netherlands) Saturday 4 May Regional Gala Concert (7.30, tickets £7.50) - St. Pol de Leon, Paul - St Buryan, Falmouth Glee Singers, New Mill, Sydney International Competitions (09-00 -1830, tickets £7.50) in the Hall for Cornwall, Truro - 21 choirs International Gala Concert (8.00pm, tickets £14 – 17) Hall for Cornwall - City of Truro, Builth, Bristol, South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus, Synergy, Harmonie Lindenholzhausen, Euga (Finland) Sunday 5 May Choirs singing from 12.30pm, Minack Theatre – Warwickshire County Male Voices, Euga (Finland) Regional Gala Concerts (7.30pm, tickets £7.50) at St Just Methodist Chapel - Marazion Apollo, Epsom, Weybridge, Dagilelis Monday 6 May Choirs at Tate St Ives from 1.45 – 2.30 Choirs singing on St Ives waterfront – 3.15pm Finale International Gala Concert ,Hall for Cornwall, Truro, (7.30pm tickets £6 - £17) - St Keverne Youth Band with Mevagissey , Carlton, Peterborough, Tideswell, Sydney, Dagilelis (Lithuania) and St Petersburg Boys Choir.