Eisteddfod - 10-15 July 2007

[roger]

As ever, Hayley's participation in this event is not yet confirmed by Bedlam Management.

From the Shropshire Star

Westenra to star at Eisteddfod

Teenage singing sensation, Hayley Westenra will be one of the stars of this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

The 18-year-old New Zealander, whose debut album has topped the classical charts across the world, will perform at the launch for the event in Cardiff on Monday.

The singer will be just one of the big names featuring in the week long musical festival, taking place between July 10 and 15.

Read the full story in the Shropshire Star

Roger

[stevemacdonald]

"The 18-year-old New Zealander"

Maybe that's nitpicking on my part, but c'mon, everyone knows she's ageless.

[Richard]

Hello Roger and Steve!

That article suggests that Hayley will be performing at a media launch for the Eisteddfod in Cardiff next Monday, so we must look out for any reports next week.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[drew]

2007 Eisteddfod Launches On Monday!
12/01/2007 00:14:27

You might have noticed the Eisteddfod website has had a change of colour! We've just about put the finishing touches to our brand new programme for 2007, which launches on Monday.

We've got an exciting array of Evening Concerts from acclaimed performers from around the world, along with the usual competitions, plus World Street Dance, new for 2007.

Come back Monday morning to take a look at the fantastic line up for the 61st Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/news.asp?ni=63&offset=

[gordon]

Hi Everyone

I have just spoken to the box office regarding the Hayley concert on 13th July 2007. All the £25 seats have already gone to season ticket holers but all the other prices are available. The box office number is 01978 862001. I hope this information is usefull.

GORDON

[Martin]

gordon said:

Hi Everyone

I have just spoken to the box office regarding the Hayley concert on 13th July 2007. All the £25 seats have already gone to season ticket holers but all the other prices are available. The box office number is 01978 862001. I hope this information is usefull.

GORDON

Hello Gordon
Despite this comment from the box office you can still book £25 tickets online - so I suggest potential purchasers get their skates on before they notice!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes
Martin

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

Full details and online booking are now available on this link:-

www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/index3.asp?cat=3&d=1&pageid=316205

Friday 13 July



New Zealand’s singing sensation, Hayley Westenra, comes to Llangollen. She has topped the classical charts and is the UK’s most popular download classical artist. There isn’t a nicer or brighter young star anywhere!

The 19 year old from Christchurch will be joined on stage by the Tower New Zealand Youth Choir – past winners of Choir of the World - and a worldwide selection of international performers from countries with which she has strong associations.

Concert starts 7.45pm

Tickets: £25, £20, £15, £12

Richard

[postscript]

This will be something similar,but probably on a larger scale, to Grassington. A large, long marquee is set up in a field (that will also be very muddy if the weather is inclement) as it is in the valley. Llangollen has a very long high street as it follows the valley floor.

The countryside is superb. I recommend spending two or three days there to enjoy everything. The Pontycyllyte aqueduct is not far away (the stream in the sky) of which I posted some photographs in the 'Photography' thread last summer. I did not wish to bore but in view of this topicality, I'll post some more pics of this area and Llangollen. The valley is so narrow and the countryside so hilly that even the canal is up on the side of the hill but its towpath provides superb views over the town.

I looked in on my Welsh holiday last summer when i spent a week driving up from Hayley in Cardiff to Hayley in Llandudno. I probably won't be going. Partly because I spent some time there last year and partly because I'm still learning to draw in my financial horns to be able to indulge myself in CHCH in September (I hope!).

Peter S.

[Dave]

Hi guys,

Unusually, I seem to be the first with the latest Google Alert so I'll post it, quick!

This is a nice article about Hayley's participation in the Eisteddfod including quotes from her interview (or press release) so I guess it is *almost* official, now! From: ICWales.co.uk

Hayley for Llangollen Eisteddfod

Jan 16 2007
Karen Price, Western Mail

FOUR years after making her UK debut as a guest at Bryn Terfel's Faenol Festival, Hayley Westenra is to be a headline act at another of Wales' major cultural events.

The New Zealander says that she is honoured to be performing at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod this summer as she considers Wales her second home.

As the mascot for her native rugby side, Hayley has performed her team's anthem each time they have played at the Millennium Stadium in recent years.

She's also toured Wales extensively and has built up friendships with two of the country's biggest singing stars - Katherine Jenkins and Aled Jones.

The 19-year-old Kiwi will perform a gala concert in Llangollen as part of the eisteddfod, which sees cultural groups from all over the world compete in singing, dancing and folk music competitions. The eisteddfod will be opened by legendary American folk singer Joan Baez and the closing concert will be performed by Jose Carreras.

Hayley said, 'I love Wales and the people are just so welcoming.

'When I made my UK debut at the Faenol Festival, Jose Carreras was on the bill so it's great to be at Llangollen with him.

'It was wonderful to make my debut at Faenol and I remember instantly feeling very much at home there, particularly because of the landscape.'

She's now looking forward to returning to North Wales in July for Llangollen and hopes to organise her diary so that she can spend some spare time there.

'It's such an honour to be a part of this year's festival,' said Hayley, who sang at the eisteddfod's official launch event at St David's Hall in Cardiff yesterday.

'It's such a legendary festival with people visiting from all over the world. I'm really hoping that I will be able to make it to some of the performances.

During Hayley's concert, she will perform with the New Zealand Youth Choir.

'I'm thrilled they're coming over - some of my friends are in the choir.'

She also hopes that she will be able to catch up with her famous Welsh friends.

'Aled has the same manager as myself and I've known Katherine since she started out as she toured with me. I see her at all the rugby matches.'

Since her UK debut, Hayley has gone on to become one of the world's biggest selling young classical singers thanks to her platinum selling albums Pure and Odyssey. Next month she releases her latest album.

The eisteddfod is one of the world's biggest global celebrations of music, song and dance and last year it celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Thousands of performers from countries all over the globe will compete in singing and dancing competitions.

This year the Ivory Coast and Togo will make both make their festival debut and there will be rare appearances by groups from Cameroon and China.

The festival has strong links to the United Nations and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. The eisteddfod's patron is the Prince of Wales and its president is Terry Waite.

For full festival details, call 01978 862001 or 08701 211251 or visit the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or www.visitwales.com

So Hayley WAS at the launch yesterday! If you click on the link at the top of this message, there is a second page about Jose Carreras who will also be performing there, it's very interesting that Hayley made the lead in this story!

Cheers, Dave

[Martin]

This is a cut-down version of today's corresponding review from the South Wales Echo:

Friday night's concert (£12-£25) will see former choral champions The New Zealand Youth Choir backing up their country's foremost musical export Hayley Westenra, who, along with the Kurdish Dance Group, performed at the opening ceremony yesterday.

Westenra, who performed two songs, commented: 'It's an honour to be invited to perform at Llangollen because it is a legendary festival.'

It would be interesting to learn which two songs Hayley performed at St. David's Hall yesterday. Perhaps two from Treasure?

Martin

[Richard]

Well done Dave and Martin!

I'll post a link to the full article from the South Wales Echo HERE.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Richard]

Hello again everybody!

There is a gallery of thumbnail photographs of Hayley launching the Eisteddfod at Rex Features:-

www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/newshow?item=633016§ion=S

Richard

[Martin]

richnorri said:

Hello again everybody!

There is a gallery of thumbnail photographs of Hayley launching the Eisteddfod at Rex Features:-

www.rexfeatures.com/cgi-bin/newshow?item=633016§ion=S

Richard

Richard
These are just fantastic photos. Hayley is looking absolutely great and is wearing her favourite boots.

As my previous post I am keen to know what she is singing. Can you lip read?

Best wishes
Martin

[kmsmith8]

I just booked tickets to this concert on line. (Not sure if I will be ale to journey over to Wales yet, but I am willing to take the gamble). The tickets I purchased on line (the £25 ones) have to be confirmed by a person. I am hoping that they don't decline the tickets based on what has been posted here. I am not sure if I would fly to England for the cheaper tickets.

Katie

[postscript]

Well, Eisteddfod Llangollen sure seems exciting. Thank you Dave for the update.

Probably what I have to say is already coved as it is 2 days since I have been here and some 60 posts later. Let me take the highlights I have picked out as points to bear in mind, or worth commenting upon.

From Dave's quote:

• She's now looking forward to returning to North Wales in July for Llangollen and hopes to organise her diary so that she can spend some spare time there.
  Would this be an opportunity to invite Hayley and Steve (plus whomsoever else we know in that category who might be with her) to a bar drink or private room in a pub, or would we be encroaching on her spare time for herself?)
  Well done, Hayley, you are pacing yourself and ensuring you get some real fun in--fancy sitting next to Hayley in the next seat or at least in the same auditorium and bumping alongside her in the crush bar!
  
• 'It's such a legendary festival with people visiting from all over the world. I'm really hoping that I will be able to make it to some of the performances.
  
• During Hayley's concert, she will perform with the New Zealand Youth Choir.
  'I'm thrilled they're coming over - some of my friends are in the choir.'

Then I follow the link to the web site:

• The UK's most popular download classical artist
  
• I look at the full week tickets! Tempted, but that means a week and two weekends of hotel bills and I'm thinking CHCH NZ

Then some practical points:

• We have ample car parking near to the Festival site. Please follow the signs from the town centre.
  
• We recommend that you book your car park tickets in advance. This can be done through the Box Office when you book your tickets.
  
• Limited parking is available for Blue Badge holders. Please advise the Box Office when booking.
  

Peter S.