Daybreak Choir to Open Cornwall Choral Festival at St Michael’s Mount

One of the world’s leading children’s choirs is set to perform at St Michael’s Mount as it reopens for the first time since Storm Goretti caused widespread damage earlier this year.

The performance will mark the opening of the 2026 Cornwall International Male Choral Festival, running from Friday 1st May to Sunday 3rd May.

A powerful return after Storm Goretti

Morning visitors to Marazion and the Mount on Friday 1st May will hear the voices of Jitro, also known as The Daybreak, a choir from the Czech Republic. Their performance will take place against a landscape still bearing the impact of Storm Goretti, which tore through Cornwall in January.

The storm led to the loss of more than 120 trees at the Mount and undid years of careful gardening work. A 12-week clear-up operation followed, led by Head Gardener Darren Little.

Darren said: “While we were sad to lose much of the woodland, we were grateful that the gardens themselves remained unscathed. Amid this, looking forward to the uplifting sound of this young choir will bring a welcome sense of renewal, marking a moment of positivity.

“As the gardens reopen on 1 May, they’ll once again offer a place for quiet reflection, where visitors can experience the landscape’s resilience and enjoy far-reaching views across the sea.”

📷The young Czech Republic choristers from Jitro (The Daybreak) will be launching Cornwall’s 2026 World Choral Festival on Marazion Beach and St Michael’s Mount on the morning of Friday May 1. Photo - Jitro

A new chapter for the festival

The 2026 festival will see 45 choirs from across the world gathering in Cornwall for a packed programme of events.

Dr Gareth Churcher, Festival Artistic Director, said: “Cornwall has a unique ability to turn challenge into opportunity. Much as the revival of flora and fauna on the Mount will thrive after Goretti, Cornwall will see an evolution of choral singing which can stand on the innovations of the introduction of Girl choristers at Truro Cathedral and blend heritage with initiative.

“This is why it is so exciting to have the Jitro singers alongside choirs such as Peterborough Male Choir, the current Festival Champions.”

Jitro’s singers are predominantly girls, selected as the best voices from a group of around 400 children in their Czech organisation, reflecting a shift in the festival’s approach for 2026.

Choirs from across the world

Alongside Jitro, the festival will welcome several choirs travelling to Cornwall for the first time. These include the Boys Choir of the University of Arts Tirana from Albania and the Chorale Saint Dominique De Bujumbura from Burundi.

Performances will take place across 35 events at 25 venues throughout Cornwall, including churches, gardens, visitor attractions, and major venues such as Truro Cathedral and the Hall for Cornwall.

📷On St Michael’s Mount, more than 120 trees were lost in January’s Storm Goretti in the northern woods, leading to a 12-week clear-up. The terraced gardens located on the east of the island were entirely unaffected and will re-open on 1 May. Photo – St Aubyn Estates.

Building on past success

The previous festival in 2024 attracted more than 3,000 singers and over 30,000 audience members, with performances held across locations including Mevagissey, Saltash and St Michael’s Mount.

The Cornwall International Male Choral Festival was first held in 2003 and usually takes place every two years, with 2021 held virtually due to the pandemic. It operates as a registered charity, supported by local businesses, patrons and more than 400 volunteers.

Tickets and further information

Tickets for the 2026 festival range from £10 for Regional Gala Concerts to £16 for International Galas. They are available through the Visit Truro Box Office or on the door.

Full details, including event listings, films and photos from previous festivals, can be found on the official website: https://www.cimcf.uk

Tickets can also be booked via https://www.visittruro.org.uk/whats-on/cornwall-international-male-choral-festival-2026

📷Prague Boys 2024 - Marazion Beach - Gary Flowers for CIMCF

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Credit: St Aubyn Estates

📷Ffortissibros choir at St. Michael's Mount pic by Phil Monckton for Cornwall International Male Choral Festival