The Shanty Choir
July 1 @ 20:00 - 22:00
€15.00
The Shanty Choir
Now, for the very first time, the renowned “Altländer Shanty-Chor” is coming to Ireland and bringing:
Greetings from Coast to Coast
The tales of sailors, fishermen, and ships have long served to unite coastal regions around the globe. And it is the shanties and sea songs that captivate audiences at Bantry Bay in the North Atlantic and in the “Altes Land” (Old Land) on Germany’s North Sea coast.
Nestled south of Hamburg, Germany’s largest and most vital port city, lies the “Altes Land,” a picturesque area along the River Elbe. In 1113, Dutch settlers reclaimed 170 square kilometres of marshland, turning it into fertile farmland. Over the centuries, this area has flourished into Northern Europe’s largest fruit-growing region, producing an impressive annual average of 265,000 tons of apples.
However, the “Altes Land” is not only renowned for its orchards but also for its rich maritime heritage. From this region, shipowners have launched cargo vessels to ports worldwide, and a distinguished maritime academy has trained ship officers for decades. In 1981, a group of local seafarers—including five legendary “Cape Horners”—founded the “Altländer Shanty-Chor” (ASC). What began as a small choir has since grown to include captains, ship officers, sailors, shipbuilders, and lovers of maritime tradition. Today, the ASC stands as the most celebrated musical ambassador of the “Altes Land.
Under the skilled direction of Michael Bunge, this 60-member choir delivers heartfelt and authentic performances. Their repertoire, enriched by spirited vocals and lively accompaniment on accordions, guitars, harmonicas, whistles, and percussion, has made them a beloved North German institution. Over the years, the choir has performed in over 3,000 concerts and events, including harbour celebrations, ship launches, festivals, as well as on German TV and radio.
The ASC has also delighted audiences far beyond Germany, with international performances in Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, Canada, and the USA.
www.altlaender-shanty-chor.de