New voice in Vocal ConneXions

Julie Fowlis, who was supposed to be part of the Vocal ConneXions theme project at the festival, has unfortunately had to cancel due to illness. –We of course deeply regret this, says director Hilde Bjørkum. This is especially sad for Julie Fowlis, who had been looking forward to returning to Førde this year and participate in the very special vocal project.

After the festival received the news of the Scottish star's resignation, the management has put the apparatus in motion to find a new singer. -We have incredibly succeeded in that, and are really happy that Bulgarian Daniela Stoichkova is sporty and takes the challenge head on. She will be Førde on ultra-short notice and will fill her place in Vocal ConneXions in an excellent way, says Hilde Bjørkum. Like Gergana Dimitrova, Daniela Stoichkova is one of the voices in the world-renowned Eva Quartet, which was successful at the festival in 2009. The other voices in Vocal ConneXions are Unni Løvlid, Gergana Dimitrova, Ulla Pirttijärvi and Annie Ebrel. The producer of the concert is Grethe Pedersen, conductor of the Norwegian Soloists Choir, so this is a project with great excitement. – Our expectations are high, and I am very happy to hear these strong voices in the church, says a relieved director.

And also at Sommarnatt on Jølster on Thursday evening, the festival has succeeded in finding a replacement for Fowlis. Here you can look forward to hearing Swedish folk music star Ulrika Bodén.