Kicking off on January 11, the festival will bring together over one hundred amateur choristers from across Australia. They will engage in ten days of intensive rehearsal, with their efforts culminating in a not-to-be-missed concert spectacular, Light the Dark, on the evening of Saturday January 20 at Melbourne Town Hall.

The centrepiece of MIV’s stunning musical programme is an extremely rare performance of Edward Elgar’s resplendent and uplifting The Light of Life. This piece marks Elgar’s first ever full-scale work for orchestra, choir and soloists. Conducted by international award winner Patrick Burns, this concert is believed to be only the second ever performance of this stunning oratorio on Australian shores. It will feature renowned soloists Andrew Goodwin, Liane Keegan, Anna-Louise Coleman, Raphael Wong and be accompanied by the Melbourne Opera Orchestra, this is an event not to be missed.

When discussions the festival planning, Burns noted that he and the festival organisers “…worked together to create a programme of works to reflect and shine a light on the current times we face whilst also looking to provide a unique experience for both performers and audience alike.” Accompanying the Elgar is Vaughan Williams’ Towards the Unknown Regions, Parry’s I Was Glad, Brahms’...