Aznavour, Charlebois, fireworks, and hundreds of choirs from near and far

"This is where the idea for the creation of a grand festival of choral singing was born," Gregory Charles stated, basking under brilliant sunshine he hopes will come back to visit during the 20-day festival, which he said has become the largest in North America, and the third largest in the world in just five years.

Returning as a focal point is the outdoor aspect of the festival, held at one of the world's most beautiful urban parks – Laval's Centre de la Nature. Notably, the headliner for the Centre de la Nature part of Mondial Choral 2009 is international superstar Charles Aznavour, who'll be accompanied by thousands of choral singers and a symphony orchestra in a June 21 concert.

The next day, June 22, a new edition of Les Feux du choeur will provide a grand opportunity for a symphonic and pyrotechnic tribute to the fabled Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté's dream-come-true, this year marking its 25th anniversary.

"Robert Charlebois is our Elvis Presley. No one before him had this thundering sparkling style, energetic stage presence and the talent of a great musician," emphasized Alexandre Désilets, whose alternative rock music will open for Charlebois in the first part of the June 23 concert.

The Quebec group, Mes Aïeux, will also be on hand at Centre de la Nature June 24, and no one will want to miss a dream concert starring Michel Rivard, Daniel Lavoie and Paul Piché.

Gregory Charles also proudly announced the coming of Eric Whitacre, arguably the world's greatest living composer of music for choir, who'll be featured in a gala production July 11 at Sainte-Rose Church.

Also returning for 2009 are two of the most successful concerts of last year's Mondial Choral - Les années jeunesse and the Choral Marathon featuring over 100 choirs from all over Quebec. And let's not forget a concert by the Collège vocal de Laval, fresh from winning the most prestigious prize at the Venezia in Musica competition.

Following last year's experience of setting up central headquarters at Centropolis, Mondial Choral returns there in 2009. It's there that among other activities will be opportunities for singers and choirs to meet, greet, interact, practice or simply relax between shows, concerts, performances, and events.