A Magical Moment: 1,500-Person Choir Performs Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’

Byvu lita

Dec 26, 2023

Choir! Choir! Choir! & Rufus Wainwright

Well known for his hair-raising rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic “Hallelujah” this was a step onto familiar ground for the famous performer but performing with someone of such musical caliber must have been an experience for the 1500 strong choir.

The performance starts with the choir harmonising beautifully with Wainwrights haunting vocals, keeping perfectly in key with him as he sings through the first verse. As the song builds through the bridge to the chorus the choir start singing in time with Wainwright, creating a masterfully boosted performance.

This is one of the largest choirs you will probably see in your lifetime – and what a powerful sound they make. This is a beautiful and haunting version of “When Doves Cry” by Prince covered by the 2,000 voices of Choir! Choir! Choir!

Have you ever heard 1500 people singing with Rufus Wainwright before? Well now is your chance. In 2016 Choir! Choir! Choir! Where performing at a show at the Luminato Festival set in Toronto’s Hearn Generating Station when they were joined by the world-famous vocalist Wainwright. Watch the performance in the video below.

You would think that a crowd of such size would surely drown out Wainwright’s voice, however, the skillful conducting and soft regulation of vocals from the astounding choir means that their singing, instead of drowning him out, lifts his vocals and carries them around the cavernous hall.

The group is an excellent showcasing of how a well-trained and well-practiced choir can work in harmony with a single performer to enhance any performance. The group steals the show due to their complete and utter professionalism and perfection in harmonising. To organise a crowd of such a size is truly a masterful endeavor, not to be downplayed.

“It was a magical evening. 1500 singers came to Luminato Festival at the Hearn Generating Station in Toronto. Daveed + Nobu (AKA DaBu) taught them back up parts to Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, then Rufus Wainwright joined them on stage to sing lead. It was an EPIC NIGHT! to remember.”

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