Ailan Kores

Voices separated by sea will sing as one for Ailan Kores, a free choral spectacular celebrating at once the unity and diversity of Torres Strait Islander culture.

Singers from six islands of the Torres Strait will come together for this premiere production, over one year in the making.

Accompanied by six operatic soloists and the Queensland Youth Orchestra, the combined choir of more than 40 voices will perform a program of local hymns mixed with iconic devotional pieces from European composers, startlingly transformed to express the Torres Strait’s tradition of exuberant music worship.

In addition to classics such as the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel and excerpts from Bach’s St John Passion, audiences will enjoy a world premiere choral work by renowned contemporary Australian composer Damian Barbeler.

To reflect the region’s cultural and linguistic diversity, many of these works have been translated into Western, Central and Eastern language groups, as well as Yumplatok. The evening will open at twilight with a performance from the Torres Strait Youth Choir performing traditional songs to set the mood for this magnificent celebration of Torres Strait music.

FEATURING GREGORY MOORE / LUKE CAPTAIN / SHELLI HULCOMBE / BRETT HOLLAND / KATHLEEN LAMONT / QUEENSLAND YOUTH ORCHESTRA / THE CHOIR OF THE TORRES STRAIT AND NORTHERN PENINSULA / TORRES STRAIT YOUTH CHOIR / Cygnet Repu /
CONDUCTOR PETER MORRIS /
CHORAL DIRECTOR ALISON ROGERS /
MUSIC DIRECTOR DAMIAN BARBELER /

Ailan Kores is presented by Queensland Music Festival, Torres Shire Council, Torres Strait Regional Authority, Torres Strait Island Regional Council and Brisbane City Council.

watch: Concert Online

view concert pt 1

view concert pt 2

view youth choir

VIEW FLICKR: Online Gallery

READ THE QMF BLOG: Nelson Lau Photography, Second Week of Ailan Kores Rehearsals, Ailan Kores Updates from Thursday Island and Beyond, How a committed Chorusmaster travel

Read Critical Mass Blog: Voices on the Web, Ailan Kores Webcast