Cuore is an internationally award-winning mixed-voice auditioned chamber choir 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. 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. Cuore was founded in 2014 by Patricia O’Neill and Amy Ryan.
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.
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).
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.