Cincinnati pulled out the stops for its international visitors in an opening ceremony to remember on Wednesday in U.S. Bank Arena, Downtown.
The 2012 World Choir Games kicked off 10 days of song in the Queen City, the first American venue for the Games, with pomp and parades, stars and VIPs, an all-American musical program and an impressive taste of Cincinnati talent.
It began as local, national and international choirs, some in costume, lined up hours before they processed into the arena, greeted along the way by thousands of cheering fans, and ended with the Cincinnati Pops performance of “Stars and Stripes Forever,” followed by a fireworks display outside.
• Photos: The Opening Ceremony
The energy was palpable in the arena, as choirs cheered and waved flags before the ceremony, and clapped along with many of the numbers. The evening’s most electric number, which brought many to their feet, was a gospel hit, “Maybe God is Trying to Tell You Something” from “The Color Purple,” performed by two terrific singers from Cincinnati Opera, Jacqueline Echols and Luther Lewis; the Cincinnati Pops; May Festival Chorus and the CSO Classical Roots Community Choir.
The star power was provided by gospel artist Kirk Franklin, who penned the official song, “I Can,” an infectious tune with a Cincinnati verse. He and the Cincinnati One in Song Choir gave it a galvanizing premiere performance.
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