Two thousand singers of all ages and nationalities are clearing their throats ready for Cornwall’s International Male Choral Festival.

They’ll entertain 45,000 people with events and 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.

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.’

Competitions, evening concerts and daytime events are being held in all parts of the county at churches, theatres, gardens, castles and tourist attractions.

Events in South East Cornwall were due to kick off with a concert yesterday by Burraton Male Voice Choir, Rame Peninsula Male Voice Choir and St Petersburg Boys Choir from Russia in Saltash Wesley Methodist Church.

Other events in the area, or featuring South East Cornwall singers, include:

Friday, April 28 -  St Petroc’s Church, Bodmin:  Pelynt Male Voice Choir, Imerys Mid Cornwall Male Voice Choir, Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir, Westerton Male Voice Choir, Manifestum (Finland) 

St Neot Parish Church: Lovenny Male Choir, Epsom Male Voice Choir, Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir, Vocal Six (Sweden) 

Saturday, April 29 -  Liskeard Public Hall: Liskerret Male Voice Choir, Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir, Westerton Male Voice Choir, Gentlemen Singers (Czech Republic). 

There is daytime singing at the Eden Project on Sunday, April 30  from 10am to 3pm, and on Monday, May 1 from 10am to 3.30pm.

Tickets and details of concerts, competitions and events can be found on the Hall for Cornwall website at www.hallforcornwall.co.uk Further details are available on the Festival website at www.cimcf.uk