Bangor - Faenol Festival Aug 2010 is CANCELLED

[Martin]

Here is an interesting article from the North Wales Chronicle:

The Show must go on, says opera star Bryn

Published date: 22 July 2010 | Published by: George Petry

THE Show Must go on” says Bryn Terfel.
The 10th anniversary Faenol Festival, from August 27 to 30, will go ahead this year, but it needs clear support from the public now.

That was the message given by Bryn Terfel of the Welsh National Opera, and fellow Festival leaders on Friday, July 16, at Seiont Manor.

The recession effects and last budget are hitting all businesses, and entertainment is not immune.

Most advance concert bookings around the world are down as people defer their ticket purchases until nearer the event date, causing commitment worries for the promoters and audience risk of not getting tickets in the last minute surge.

Antony Warren, of Universal Music, the promoters, said: “The organisers have to operate in a responsible manner in the face of financial pressures.

"We want to support the area and artistes, and are committed to the next five years”.

The national and international headline acts for this year include: Bryn Terfel, superstars Westlife - returning for a second year, Welsh wonderboy Rhydian, tenor Rolando Villazon, Hayley Westenra and Al Murray the Pub Landlord.

Waitrose are supporting the new Food and Craft Festival element.

This festival contributes some £3 million to the Gwynedd local economy, and that loss was felt last year when there was no festival.

The Welsh Assembly grant of £250,000 spread over three years underpins the festival capital commitment, and demonstrates the national importance of this Festival.

Tickets are available from the Festival website: www.faenolfestival.com

Link www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/91094/the-show-must-go-on-says-opera-star-bryn.aspx

Martin

[Richard]

From Wales Online:

Back to where it all started for Hayley Westenra

Aug 2 2010 by Steffan Rhys, Western Mail

Soprano Hayley Westenra is preparing to perform at the music event where it all started for her – Bryn Terfel’s Faenol Festival. She chats to Karen Price about dressing up, touring and recording her new album in Rome.



IT’S seven years since the then unknown New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra made her UK breakthrough with a performance at the Faenol Festival.

Since then, she’s released chart-topping albums, duetted with some of the most famous names in the business and has even won the accolade of being the biggest selling classical artist of the 21st century.

Now she’s looking forward to returning to the North Wales event, run by international bass baritone Bryn Terfel, which helped make her a household name.

Hayley will be joining forces with Rhydian Roberts and the RAF Central Band for a commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Second World War. The concert will be narrated by Dame Vera Lynn’s son-in-law, RAF Squadron Leader Tom Jones.

Hayley, who is still just 23 years old, is looking forward to teaming up with the X Factor runner-up again.

“I’ve worked with him before,” she tells me. “He invited me to be a guest at a couple of his concerts. He’s great to work with. We are good friends. He’s got an amazing voice and is a great personality. I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with him.”

Hayley, who now lives in London, has fond memories of her debut at Faenol in 2003 at the tender age of 16.

“It’s amazing how many people remember that concert. Jose Carreras was on the bill and I performed with Bryn and Jose. It was amazing to have that opportunity. I remember walking out onto the stage and getting massive applause despite the fact no-one knew who I was. Since then, I’ve always loved coming back to Wales.”

Hayley is something of a regular performer in Wales these days. In fact, when I call her, it’s a day after her appearance at Ponty’s Big Weekend in Pontypridd.

“I’m a little bit tired but it was fun,” she admits. “I had a really great night. Faryl Smith and Jonathan Ansell, who I’ve toured with before, were there and we had a great time both backstage and on-stage. In fact, they were the noisiest audience I’ve ever come across,” she laughs. “There was a cross-section of ages and kids screaming at the front. It’s not something I’m used to.”

As a classical singer, Hayley may not be used to screaming fans but they certainly vote with their wallets.

Her debut international album, Pure, went straight to number eight in the UK pop album charts and it topped the classical charts, making her the fastest-selling debut classical artist of all time. It was also the best-selling album of all time in her homeland, achieving platinum status 12 times over and spending 18 weeks in the pop charts there.

Since then, Hayley has sold more than four million albums worldwide.

Before her appearance in Pontypridd, she was in Rome working on her latest album – her fifth international recording – with Italian composer and conductor Ennio Morricone.

“He wrote music for the Spaghetti Western films – his music is utterly beautiful and so haunting,” says Hayley.

“I was invited to meet him about four years ago in Sicily because he liked my voice and wanted to include me on an album. We had conflicting schedules so it didn’t work out but we both wanted to work together. We got back in touch and decided to do a whole album together. He’s 82 now and a musical genius. It’s such a thrill to be working with him and his orchestra. He’s rearranging classical pieces for me and has written pieces for me.”

Once she finishes recording the album, Hayley will be embarking on a photo shoot and making videos to promote it.

“It’s kind of fun dressing up – it’s one of the perks of the job,” says Hayley. “It’s nice trying on different clothes, although I am more of a jeans and T-shirt girl. But doing a photo shoot in Rome should be a lot of fun.”

Like Katherine Jenkins, who once supported Hayley when she herself was starting out, the New Zealander is considering a career in America.

“I’ve done a bit of touring in the States and I love it out there but I’m enjoying spending time in the UK these days,” says Hayley.

“I love having a base – for the first three years I was just living out of a suitcase. I do a lot of work in Asia and I will go back to the States but I’m really enjoying spending time in the UK.”

When she’s not working, Hayley loves catching up with friends, cooking, going to the cinema and playing the guitar.

“I listen to quite a range of music – I go from Maria Callas to Paulo Nutini. I like to mix it up.”

While she has a boyfriend, she likes to keep her private life just that.

“He is in the industry, which helps. We’ve been together quite a while now,” is all she will reveal.

As our chat comes to an end I ask Hayley if she has a relaxing day planned after the previous night’s gig in Pontypridd.

“I have a meeting with my management company and a meeting with my musical director,” says the ever-busy Hayley. “It’s a planning day – and I’ve got lots of washing to do too.”

She may have come a long way since her Faenol Festival debut but Hayley remains as down to earth as ever.

Hayley Westenra will be performing in the Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Show at the Faenol Festival on August 28 at 12.30pm. For details, visit www.faenolfestival.com

Richard

[Jillian]

Hi Richard,

Thanks very much for posting that article! It is an excellent interview.

The info on the new album was very interesting -- so it seems that a classical album is what we will be getting.

A photoshoot in Rome and music videos sounds exciting too! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers,
Jillian

[Joe]

Hello Richard,

Many thanks for sharing this article with us!

Glad to read that Hayley is considering a career in America...at least she will be returning...according to the article.

Cheers,
Joe

[amptique]

Thanks for posting the article, Richard. Hayley says she will come to the "States"!!! How exciting.!!!

Bill

[Richard]

Hello folks!

On reflection, that interview is worth posting as a news item on our new website. I'm on the job right now.

Richard

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

Sadly, the Daily Post North Wales has just reported that the Faenol Festival has been cancelled - for the second year in succession, due to poor ticket sales. Here is part of the article

There had been concern about the future of the festival near Bangor and two weeks ago the opera star called on fans to buy “tickets sooner rather than later”.But last night Bryn admitted defeat for the August Bank Holiday event.He said: “Unfortunately, advance ticket sales in this challenging economic climate have not been sufficient for us to feel confident that we can move ahead with the full festival.

“I know many of you will be as disappointed as I am.

“All I can say is that we have looked at the situation in great detail and from every possible angle. We have found no other workable solution.”

Westlife have been moved to a different venue, in Llandudno.

I do not think any criticism can reasonably be levelled at Hayley's management on this occasion, they were not the organizers and the decision will have been made by others.

Sing in particular, I feel very sorry that you will be disappointed I know you were looking forward to this.

I'll update the schedules.

Dave

[Richard]

This is disappointing news. For those with tickets, I'll quote the last sentence of the article for information:

Full refunds will be given to those who have bought tickets.

Richard

[Sing]

Oh no!!!
This was going to be the highlight of my holiday!!
I live too far away to see Hayley at her other concerts.....so when I knew we were going to North Wales on holiday and then heard about this...I thought it would be great to see her then...tbh when rhey changed the date...and with all the other concerts cancelled recently I was beginning to think this was perhaps too good to be true...

I think I'll go away and cry now

best wishes
Sing

[Richard]

Hello Sing!

I was very sorry when I saw the news this morning. I hope you get another chance to see Hayley soon.

Here's some more information from the North Wales Chronicle:

Refunds for the festival and the Food and Crafts are available at the point of purchase if returned by Friday, August 13.

Richard

[Sing]

Thank you Richard
I hope so too

best wishes
Sing

[Joe]

I was very shocked to learn the festival was cancelled.

I'm sorry, Sing, you must have been really looking forward to seeing Hayley and other highlights of the festival. Enjoy your holiday in Wales anyway!

Hopefully Bryn Terfel will try again next year.

--Joe

[martindn]

This is terrible news, another cancellation. Again I wouldn't have been there, but I feel for those who were looking forward to it. It is something I would like to attend someday, and the mre times it gets cancelled, the less likely it is that there will be another one.
And of course another piece of lost history. More wonderful music that won't now go down. What a pity.

Martin D

[Libby]

Oh no! Not another one.

[Richard]

Now the Faenol Festival has been cancelled two years running, I can't see it returning in the foreseeable future. A lot of people will have lost money, so Bryn Terfel won't be able to raise the necessary funding in the present economic climate.

Richard