DESPITE Britain’s exit from Europe, Wales is a still a welcoming and internationalist country.
That was the message from the Welsh Government’s new Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, when he visited the 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod yesterday (Thursday). (more…)
Two of opera’s biggest guns staged a hugely entertaining shoot-out at Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion and a near full house loved every minute of it.
Wales’s very own singing superstar, Bryn Terfel, was paired with Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja and the combination of the duo with the mighty engine of the Synfonia Cymru Orchestra made for a memorable evening. (more…)
The Indonesian flag was flying high over Llangollen after the Pangudi Luhur Youth Choir were crowned Children’s Choir of the World at the international Eisteddfod.
The Eisteddfod’s president, Terry Waite CBE, was on hand to present the international trophy to the choir’s leader, Sonia Nadya Simanjuntak, who was also crowned the most inspirational conductor in the competiton.
Eilir Owen Griffiths, the Eisteddfod’s music director, said: “The standard was exceptionally high but the Pangudi Luhur Youth Choir scored highly across each competition and richly deserve their success.
“And in Sonia they have a conductor with drive and enthusiasm who will ensure they choir goes from strength to strength. I hope we can welcome them back to North Wales in 2017.”
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod shines like a “beacon of hope” against the darkness of present times.
That was the key message from veteran war correspondent and former politician Martin Bell OBE in his speech from the main stage as one of the festival’s Day Presidents.
Mr Bell, known as the Man in the White Suite because of his trademark appearance, spoke of his fears about the impact of Britain’s recent referendum vote to leave the European Union. (more…)
The words of murdered MP Jo Cox formed the centrepiece of a poignant Peace Message delivered by students of a Rhos-based theatre group before competition got underway at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod.
Members of Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos, a youth theatre group which has more than 60 members, took to the stage at the Royal International Pavilion on Wednesday and gave the traditional message asking the young audience to appreciate the views of others and celebrate their differences. (more…)
On the first day of the historic 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, its President, legendary peace campaigner Terry Waite, unveiled a plaque on the field where the first festival was held.
Intended to help heal the scars of World War Two which had ended only two years earlier, that 1947 Eisteddfod was staged on what is now the playing field of Llangollen’s Ysgol Dinas Bran. (more…)
IT started with just a few blooms in jam jars to hide the tent poles but over the past 70 years the tradition of beautifying Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod with flowers has become as well rooted as the iconic festival itself.
A long forgotten recording of the choir which launched the career of legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti has been rediscovered in the archives of an iconic music festival.
The priceless recording was on a CD hidden among the archives in the Eisteddfod offices and it was found by the festival’s Operations Manager Sian Eagar. (more…)
Former TV war correspondent Martin Bell has hailed an iconic festival that was created to promote world peace as an “inspiration”.
Martin Bell OBE, known as the man in the white suit, will be the Day President at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Thursday, July 7. (more…)
A Hollywood actor who has worked with movie greats Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman is heading for a blockbuster performance in North Wales.
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod have pulled off a major coup in signing up Julian Lewis Jones to narrate the concert adaptation of Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen starring internationally acclaimed opera stars Kate Aldrich and Noah Stewart at the opening concert tomorrow evening (Tuesday, July 5). (more…)
