The new VOICES brings voices together at De Doelen

De Doelen presents VOICES Rotterdam, a new festival that brings together international artists, choirs and other voices from the city. From 26 to 28 February and from 5 to 7 March, visitors can listen, join in the conversation and take part themselves at eight venues across the city. The festival features more than 80 events, with a total of 400 artists and speakers. Thirty per cent of the programme is free to attend. Tickets for some of the concerts are already on sale. For more information about the programme and tickets, follow this link.

International artists such as Jakub Józef Orliński and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir share the stage with amateur choirs, performers and the audience. The programme also features new talent: from the soul music of Japan’s Nao Yoshioka to the chansons of Tess Merlot, the energy of the ZO! Gospel Choir and much more besides.

As well as the concerts, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. For example, sixty choirs, including Space Choir, bring people together through music and communal singing. XL Karaoke and the Fake Fur Sing Along invite visitors to sing along. Workshops, masterclasses and talent development are also part of VOICES. Shirma Rouse is the ambassador for a series of masterclasses aimed at singers who wish to further develop their voices. In this way, the festival provides a platform for both experienced singers and new talent.

A wealth of voices

De Doelen is organising VOICES in collaboration with Rotterdam-based venues, educational institutions and artists. The partners involved include V11, Donner, Flow, Kunstbende, Popunie, Codarts, Zadkine, Space Choir, Rotjekoor and Vocalink. Through an open call, residents of Rotterdam are invited to submit their own programmes, performances and ideas, thereby helping to shape the festival.

Edo Righini, director of De Doelen and founder of VOICES Rotterdam: “Rotterdam is rich in voices, stories and perspectives. With VOICES, we want to give voice to that diversity and bring the people of Rotterdam together – whether in a concert hall, during a conversation or by singing together. We invite everyone to get involved and help shape the festival with us.”