Cuore Chamber Choir is an internationally award-winning auditioned mixed-voice ensemble based in Dublin, Ireland and conducted by Amy Ryan. The choir consists of about thirty adult singers from a range of nationalities and ages, committed to high-level performances of rewarding music, from early polyphony to contemporary premieres. Cuore was founded in 2014 by Patricia O’Neill and Amy Ryan.
Diverse Choir with an Expansive Mindset and International Outlook
In our first decade we have attracted singers from every continent except Antarctica, and collaborated with visiting international choirs such as King’s Voices from Cambridge University, Ad Libitum Chamber Choir from Spain and the Boulder Chorale from Colorado. Singers are admitted to Cuore based on performance in their audition, but also for their potential and trajectory. Subsidised and fully-funded memberships are available to foster participation from all socioeconomic groups. Members include current and former professional singers, music teachers, conductors of other choirs, academics (including music), professionals working in other disciplines, college students, recent graduates and retirees.
Engaging With Unusual and Challenging Repertoire in Innovative Ways
Cuore’s concert repertoire ranges from standard choral works to early music editions prepared by choir members and premieres of pieces written for the choir. We primarily perform a cappella, although we have performed with orchestra and other instrumental forces. We have a particular affinity for contemporary classical music by living European composers, having won prizes for interpretation at home and abroad, and regularly present Irish premieres at our Dublin concerts.
In December 2023 we presented the Irish premiere of Dobrinka Tabakova’s Alma Redemptoris Mater. In March 2023 we performed at the NCH with the UCD Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir, including excerpts from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. In 2021 Cuore presented the Irish premiere of Will Todd’s Songs of Renewal. As the invited guest choir at the Zêzere Arts Festival, Portugal in 2019, we performed varied programmes including polychoral works by Enda Bates, Marenzio and Tallis.
In recent years, Cuore have incorporated alternate positioning, spatial separation, movement and varied lighting into performances where appropriate, exploiting the available space and acoustics to further engage our live audiences through richer sensory experiences.
Consistent High Standards at Festivals and Competitions, at Home and Abroad
The choir has consistently achieved high standards, including Gold at the International Choir Competition Ave Verum, Austria (2024), and two second prizes at the Tallinn International Choir Festival (2023). Closer to home, Cuore achieved first place in our national broadcaster’s annual ‘Choirs for Christmas’ competition (2024), at the Feis Ceoil (2023), Cork (2018), Mayo (2016), Sligo (2016) and New Ross (2015). Cuore was awarded special prizes for contemporary music by RTÉ lyric fm (2024), in Tallinn (2023), the Feis Ceoil (2023) and Cork (2022 and 2018).
Regular Concerts and Charitable Performances in Prestigious Venues
Beyond competitions, the choir engages in its own regular concerts, collaborations with other musicians, and charitable performances. It’s become traditional for us to lead the singing at the annual Service of Nine Lessons in St. Stephen’s Pepper Canister Church, supporting the Black Santa Appeal. Cuore has performed in Ireland’s National Concert Hall on a number of occasions, including a charity concert in October 2024.