THE voices of hundreds of singers filled the corners of the city to mark the start of the 2015 Salisbury International Arts Festival.

The singers came together to form the festival’s biggest-ever chorus which took over Market Place and the surrounding streets for the evening on Friday.

Audiences could follow the four choirs, who were positioned in the four corners around Market Place, before they come together for a a grand finale in the centre of Market Place.

The collection of market songs, rounds, choruses and cries brought together seven centuries of history to life – tracing the development of Salisbury as a market town.

The singers have been working with composer Michael Betteridge, musical director Howard Moody and director Ben Occhipinti.

This year’s Market Songs builds on the success of the festival’s 2014 Voices from No Man’s Land, which explored the Christmas Truce of 1914.

Prior to the Market Songs performance a special opening ceremony was held where organisers were joined by invited guests including the mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Andrew Roberts, who congratulated the festival team.

He said: “It is a fantastic event and the public has always responded to it really well.”

He also spoke of the economic benefit that the festival brings to the city and congratulated organisers.

Speaking about Market Songs Salisbury International Arts Festival director Festival director Toby Smith added: “Market Songs has been made by and for the people of this city. It is an entirely participatory project with 300 singers from across the community performing and 400 in total taking part in the wider rehearsals. Many don’t read a note of music and are singing in public for the very first time and every one of them has helped to shape what we will hear and see.”

The festival, which runs until June 6, features 150 events with performers from more than 20 different countries taking part.

Mr Smith said: “Events like this make us look and think differently about the world around us. And the energy this creates feeds our thoughts of where we live, why we live and what we wish and hope for the future. What we are doing is vital for so many people and we want to share the next wonderful weeks with all of you.”

For more information go to Salisbury Festival.co.uk