From March 26 to 30, 2026, the Costa Brava coastline once again transformed into the global capital of choral art. The Golden Voices of Montserrat, recognized as one of Spain’s largest and most prestigious choral competitions, gathered hundreds of talented performers under the Catalan sky.
Day One: Harmony Within Historic Walls
The competition program opened in the heart of Lloret de Mar at the Church of Sant Romà. This architectural masterpiece, a blend of Gothic and Modernist styles, served as the perfect acoustic venue. On this day, voices from Canada, Lithuania, Turkey, and Wales (UK) merged in a unified spirit, filling the ancient vaults with the noble and pure resonance of choral song.
The ensembles from Wales made a particular impression, showcasing the deep traditions of Welsh singing, while the Turkish choirs amazed the jury with their incredible expression and pitch precision.
The performances were evaluated by an esteemed international jury:
- Xavier García Cardona (Spain) — Conductor, pianist, and composer.
- Joan Carles Capdevila Torné (Spain) — Arranger, composer, and musical theater expert.
- Bernardo Latini (Argentina, Spain) — Renowned composer and arranger.
Later that evening, participants attended an exclusive masterclass led by Bernardo Latini. More than 300 voices worked simultaneously on vocal techniques and phrasing for a piece composed by the maestro specifically for the festival. It was a moment of true unity, where language barriers vanished, giving way to the universal language of music.
Day Two: Spiritual Ascent and Stage Triumph
The second day began with a pilgrimage to the «holy land»—the Montserrat Monastery. Guided by professional experts, the choristers explored the history of this mystical site, hiked the mountain trails, and drew inspiration from the vistas that have inspired artists and musicians for centuries.
The morning culminated in a concert of sacred music. Performing spiritual works in such a setting is more than just a presentation; it is a profound spiritual experience that moved even the most seasoned listeners to tears.
In the evening, the action moved to the Lloret de Mar Theater. This venue hosted groups requiring complex technical support and a grander stage presence. It was here that three Turkish choirs—comprising children and teenagers—took center stage. Their energy, discipline, and sincere smiles captivated the audience. It was heartening to see the younger generation preserving choral traditions while infusing them with modern freshness and dynamism.
Jury of the second competition day:
- Joaquim Piqué — Former Musical Director of the world-renowned Escolania de Montserrat.
- Joan Carles Capdevila Torné — Composer and arranger.
- Sergio Fidemraizer — Composer and contemporary music expert.
Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony
On the late evening of March 29, the grand Golden Voices of Montserrat Gala Concert took place. It was the quintessence of talent: featuring the best performances of the festival, unexpected duets, and special surprises from the Fiestalonia organizers. The palpable tension during the results announcement turned into tears of joy and standing ovations.
If you missed the event, you can rewatch the live stream on our YouTube channel to share the emotions with the winners once again.
Results of the «Golden Voices of Montserrat 2026«
| CÔR MERCHED PLASTAF CHOIR / WALES (UK) conductor: Caryl Ebenezer, accompanist: Erin Jardine | youth choir of equal voices | GRAND PRIX |
| Académie Lafontaine Choir / CANADA conductor: David LeBlanc, accompanist: Gabriel Tournilhac ENSEMBLE PLASTAF / WALES (UK) conductor: Caryl Ebenezer, accompanist: Erin Jardine Choir „CANTARE“ / LITHUANIA conductor: Ramūnas Baršauskas SELÇUKLU BELEDİYESİ GÜZEL SANATLAR LİSEİ / TÜRKIYE conductor: Zeynep Bihter Cantürk, accompanist: Özge Aras, Arif Tur, İbrahim Demirbilek, Selcan Mutaf, Recep Can Uşku, Furkan Çakan, Bekir Göktaş | children’s choir vocal ensemble and chamber choir world sacred music folklore | Golden diploma from 90 to 99 points |
| Choir „CANTARE“ / LITHUANIA conductor: Ramūnas Baršauskas FMV ERENKOY ISIK SECONDARY SCHOOL CHOIR / TÜRKIYE conductor: Dilek Eksi Ayranci, accompanist: Alper Güzel | mixed choirs children’s choir & pop — jazz — gospel | Silver diploma from 80 to 89 points |
| FMV ÖZEL ERENKOY IŞIK LISE CHOIR / TÜRKIYE conductor: Nurdan KAYA, accompanist: Ekrem YANIK SELÇUKLU BELEDİYESİ GÜZEL SANATLAR LİSEİ / TÜRKIYE conductor: Zeynep Bihter Cantürk, accompanist: Özge Aras, Mine Mustul, İbrahim Demirbilek | youth choirs of mixed voices youth choirs of mixed voices | Bronze diploma from 70 to 79 points |
See You in 2027!
The 2026 festival has come to a close, but the echo of the voices of Montserrat still resonates in our hearts. We invite choral groups from all over the world to become part of this legend next year.
Join us in March 2027! Let your voice be heard on the finest stages of Spain.
Registration is now open on the Fiestalonia Milenio website.