Post by Richard on Mar 20, 2010 9:15:26 GMT
From Wales Online:
Richard
Katherine Jenkins to open 2010 Llangollen Eisteddfod
Mar 20 2010 by Karen Price, Western Mail
An international soprano, world-famous violinist and celebrated all-girl string quartet are all on the bill for this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which is revealed today. Karen Price finds out what audiences can look forward to.
SHE’S just entertained Welsh audiences with some high-flying dance routines as part of her latest tour, but Katherine Jenkins is now looking forward to returning home again this summer with a more traditional set.
The mezzo soprano will be officially launching this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The singer will be headlining the opening concert on July 5.
Other highlights in the programme, which is officially announced today, include a festival return by violinist Nigel Kennedy and a visit from all-girl quartet Bond, which stars Cardiff musician Eos Chater.
Critically-acclaimed pianist Llyr Williams and Cardiff choir Only Men Aloud! will also be part of the line-up.
Katherine, who is originally from Neath, says Llangollen is one of the most important occasions in the musical calendar.
The annual event sees musicians and dancers from all over the world compete in competitions during the day and there are concerts to entertain festival-goers during the evenings.
More than 5,000 singers, dancers and instrumentalists from about 50 countries perform to audiences of more than 50,000 during the six-day event.
“It’s such a thrill to be back at Llangollen,” says Katherine, who performed two gigs at Cardiff International Arena this week as part of her UK tour, which sees her taking to a high wire to perform some numbers.
“The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is such a unique event because it brings so many people together from all over the world to create a wonderful week of international friendship and harmony – and it all takes place here in Wales. It makes me so proud. I really can’t wait to step out on that stage once again and to be a part of this fantastic festival.”
Katherine, who is based in London, has performed at venues all over the world, including Sydney Opera House and London’s Royal Albert Hall. So how does she think Llangollen compares?
“There’s always something special about singing in Wales and especially in an international Welsh eisteddfod.
“I was lucky enough to have been invited to sing at the National Eisteddfod in 2006 and, of course, in the Llangollen International Musical Festival during the same year. Now I am truly honoured to be invited back to perform at the opening gala concert for this year’s Llangollen festival.”
Llangollen’s executive director, Mervyn Cousins, believes that the opening gala concert is one of the most important events for the festival.
“It creates a kind of keynote for the entire week so it’s vital that we get it right,” he says.
“We’re so thrilled that Katherine’s decided to return to Llangollen to sing for us. It’s going to be such a memorable night.”
This year’s eisteddfod is taking place from July 5 to 11.
The festival dates back to 1943 and it has welcomed a wealth of famous names in the past, including Julian Lloyd Webber, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Bryn Terfel, Kiri Te Kanawa, James Galway, José Carreras and Hayley Westenra.
It also provided the first platform for a young Luciano Pavarotti who first competed in 1955 with his father and a choir from their home town of Modena. Meanwhile, the other great tenor, Placido Domingo, performed his first professional UK gig at the 1968 eisteddfod.
Another future star who was given a huge boost at Llangollen was Britain’s Got Talent singer Faryl Smith. The choir she performs with, Masquerade, took first prize at the eisteddfod when she was just 10.
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod runs from July 5 to 11. For tickets, call 01978 862 001 or visit www.llangollen2010.co.uk
Mar 20 2010 by Karen Price, Western Mail
An international soprano, world-famous violinist and celebrated all-girl string quartet are all on the bill for this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which is revealed today. Karen Price finds out what audiences can look forward to.
SHE’S just entertained Welsh audiences with some high-flying dance routines as part of her latest tour, but Katherine Jenkins is now looking forward to returning home again this summer with a more traditional set.
The mezzo soprano will be officially launching this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The singer will be headlining the opening concert on July 5.
Other highlights in the programme, which is officially announced today, include a festival return by violinist Nigel Kennedy and a visit from all-girl quartet Bond, which stars Cardiff musician Eos Chater.
Critically-acclaimed pianist Llyr Williams and Cardiff choir Only Men Aloud! will also be part of the line-up.
Katherine, who is originally from Neath, says Llangollen is one of the most important occasions in the musical calendar.
The annual event sees musicians and dancers from all over the world compete in competitions during the day and there are concerts to entertain festival-goers during the evenings.
More than 5,000 singers, dancers and instrumentalists from about 50 countries perform to audiences of more than 50,000 during the six-day event.
“It’s such a thrill to be back at Llangollen,” says Katherine, who performed two gigs at Cardiff International Arena this week as part of her UK tour, which sees her taking to a high wire to perform some numbers.
“The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is such a unique event because it brings so many people together from all over the world to create a wonderful week of international friendship and harmony – and it all takes place here in Wales. It makes me so proud. I really can’t wait to step out on that stage once again and to be a part of this fantastic festival.”
Katherine, who is based in London, has performed at venues all over the world, including Sydney Opera House and London’s Royal Albert Hall. So how does she think Llangollen compares?
“There’s always something special about singing in Wales and especially in an international Welsh eisteddfod.
“I was lucky enough to have been invited to sing at the National Eisteddfod in 2006 and, of course, in the Llangollen International Musical Festival during the same year. Now I am truly honoured to be invited back to perform at the opening gala concert for this year’s Llangollen festival.”
Llangollen’s executive director, Mervyn Cousins, believes that the opening gala concert is one of the most important events for the festival.
“It creates a kind of keynote for the entire week so it’s vital that we get it right,” he says.
“We’re so thrilled that Katherine’s decided to return to Llangollen to sing for us. It’s going to be such a memorable night.”
This year’s eisteddfod is taking place from July 5 to 11.
The festival dates back to 1943 and it has welcomed a wealth of famous names in the past, including Julian Lloyd Webber, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Bryn Terfel, Kiri Te Kanawa, James Galway, José Carreras and Hayley Westenra.
It also provided the first platform for a young Luciano Pavarotti who first competed in 1955 with his father and a choir from their home town of Modena. Meanwhile, the other great tenor, Placido Domingo, performed his first professional UK gig at the 1968 eisteddfod.
Another future star who was given a huge boost at Llangollen was Britain’s Got Talent singer Faryl Smith. The choir she performs with, Masquerade, took first prize at the eisteddfod when she was just 10.
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod runs from July 5 to 11. For tickets, call 01978 862 001 or visit www.llangollen2010.co.uk
Richard
