Following the success of last year's edition, the National Choral Competition Lago Maggiore will once again take place in Stresa, the pearl of the Borromeo Gulf between 23rd and 25th October.

Like last year, the competition will consist of two main categories: polyphony and traditional choral music. The first category will see performances by choirs, mixed or similar voices, who will present a programme deemed classicì with at least one pre-1650 track, one track created between 1650 and 1900, one post-1900 track and one chosen by the group itself. The second category, on the other hand, will see performances by choirs and mixed or similar voices, who will present a repertoire that identifies itself in folkloristic Italian roots or in the folkloristic roots of other countries. The participating choirs will be judges by a highly artistic jury.

The polyphony Competition for mixed and similar voices will be held at the Chiesa del SS Crocefisso voluta dal Beato Antonio Rosmini (church) starting at 2.30pm with a Gala evening for the competition awards ceremony in the evening at Palazzo dei congressi in Stresa at 9pm). The International Folklore and Gospel/pop choir Festival, on the other hand, will take place in the theatre of Palazzo dei congressi in Stresa: Saturday will be dedicated to folkloristic choirs (from 10am) while Sunday will see performances from the gospel/pop choirs.

Here is the programme:

Friday 23rd October 2009Opening concert9pm Chiesa di S. Pietro Apostolo (church) Gravellona Toce 9pm Aula magna Scuola Penitenziaria Pallanza

Saturday 24th October 2009From 10am Folklore Choir Festival Palazzo dei CongressiFrom 2.30pm National Polyphonic Choir Competition - Collegio RosminiMixed voices (Corale S. Ilario, Gruppo Corale Licabella, Coro Madonna della Consolazione, Corale S. Salvatore) Equal voices (I Piccoli Cantori delle colline di Brianza, La Bottega musicale, Coro Femminile Philomena, Coro Giovanile Vivaldi) 9pm Gala evening Palazzo dei CongressiFestival and Competition awards ceremony

Sunday 25th October 2009From 2.30pm Gospel/Pop Choir Festival - Palazzo dei Congressi 9pm Gala Evening Palazzo dei CongressiFestival awards ceremony

For further information:
Città di Stresa www.comune.stresa.vb.it