Posts Categorized: News

Festival boosts Llangollen economy to tune of £1.5m

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The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will boost the local economy to the tune of £1.5 million.

That’s what the great annual event means to the south Denbighshire area and the town of Llangollen which has been hosting the festival since 1947 and which will again welcome the world this July.
The famous event that helped launch the career of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti is again expected to attract nearly 40,000 visitors. The arrival of so many people from outside North East Wales means a cash injection that ripples out across businesses within a 20-mile radius of Llangollen.

Last year 36,000 people came to the Eisteddfod and with an average daily visitor spend of £42 that added up to a massive £1.5 million cash injection for the local economy. (more…)

Llangollen Eisteddfod visitor set to fly 6,000 miles to return as volunteer Chinese wine expert returns to enjoy intoxicating magic of festival

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A wine expert from Hong Kong who fell in love with the Llangollen International Eisteddfod is flying 6,000 miles to work as a volunteer at the festival.

Bill Kong, 54,was mesmerised by the intoxicating magic of the eisteddfod on his first visit as an audience member two years ago when he fulfilled a long-standing ambition to experience it for himself. He was so taken with the festival’s captivating atmosphere both then and in 2014 that he’s aiming to travel back to Llangollen this July to join the small army of dedicated volunteers who make the iconic cultural event such a big hit each year.

Bill’s links with Britain go back over 40 years to when he attended a prep school near Bewdley in Worcestershire then a public school near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire. (more…)

Rufus will be “absolutely fabulous” in Llangollen

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Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright who collaborated with Robbie Williams on his latest album is bringing his unique talent to North Wales.

Wainwright has written an opera in French, partied with George W Bush’s daughter and appeared alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley in Absolutely Fabulous and now he’s set to appear at this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The son of folk music giants Loudoun Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle will headline the Friday night concert at this year’s 69th Eisteddfod which opens on Tuesday, July 7, and runs until Sunday, July 12.

The American-Canadian is promising the audience an eclectic mix of genres from pop to opera on his North Wales debut and he says he’s very excited about the prospect as Welsh audiences are, in his opinion, uniquely ‘different’. (more…)

World premiere of work to celebrate 150th anniversary of Patagonia

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A new work to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Welsh colony in Patagonia in South America will have its world premiere in North Wales.

The concert at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Wednesday, July 8, where the piece will be performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also star former royal harpist Catrin Finch.
The work has been written by composer Hector MacDonald, a fourth generation Welshman who comes from Chubut Province in Patagonia where descendants of the original settlers cling on to their Welsh identity.
The migration was masterminded by non-conformist minister Michael D Jones, from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala.
He also considered Vancouver Island, in Canada, but eventually settled on Patagonia before around 150 people set off from Liverpool on May 28, 1865. (more…)

Elite American choir opt for real Welsh welcome in Llangollen

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An internationally renowned American choir are looking forward to having a true taste of Welsh hospitality.

The Azusa Pacific University Chamber Singers from California are heading to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July and will be staying with local families rather than booking hotel and guest house accommodation. The 37-strong choir are among the world’s choral elite and their track record includes winning the International Competition for Choirs in Austria in 2013 as well as singing at a host of iconic venues including Sydney Opera House and the Vatican. (more…)

We’ll be even better than Status Quo, promises UB40 legend Ali Campbell

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The music legend who formed one of the world’s top reggae bands will provide a high energy climax to a top festival, it’s been revealed.

Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, has been snapped up by Llangollen International Musical Festival for their closing concert on Sunday, July 12.

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He’ll  be reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of UB40 – percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

The concert is being sponsored by the award-winning Village Bakery, the fastest growing manufacturer in Wales. (more…)

Song-writing legend Burt Bacharach to perform in North Wales for first time

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Burt Bacharach

Organisers of a top festival are celebrating after signing up Oscar-winning music legend Burt Bacharach to perform at this year’s event.

Bacharach, described by many as the greatest songwriter of the 20th century, will open the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, with an extra concert on Monday, July 6. The festival was originally due to start the following day but the Monday night was the only time he was available during Eisteddfod week.

Bacharach has 73 top 40 US and 52 UK hits to his name in a career spanning more than 60 years and shows no signs of slowing down – he is looking forward to his first ever visit to North Wales. (more…)

Superstar tenor Alfie Boe promises musical magic

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Music from stage and screen at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

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Superstar tenor Alife Boe is heading back to North Wales.

The classical heart-throb, has sold one and a half million records, been at number one in the classical charts many times and performed on Broadway, will be taking centre stage at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Boe, dubbed Britain’s Favourite Tenor, will be performing songs from musical theatre and movies at the glitzy evening concert on Thursday, July 9.

Joining him will be Welsh singer Sophie Evans, who went onto star as Dorothy in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz having finished runner-up in the TV talent show Over the Rainbow, classical saxophonist Amy Dickson along with Jonathan Antoine, the classically trained tenor who rose to fame on Britain’s Got Talent. (more…)

Luciano Pavarotti

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The Llangollen debut of opera great Luciano Pavarotti is clear in the memory of an International Musical Eisteddfod stalwart.

Retired nurse Hafwen Ryder was still a teenager at Llangollen Grammar School and a volunteer usher in the marquee where the Chorus Rossini from Modena in Italy performed to win the Male Voice Choir competition in 1955. Hafwen, 75,who now lives in Chirk, said: “I remember the choir performing and that they were very good but of course no-one knew who Pavarotti was then.

“I do have a limited edition picture of Pavarotti when he came back to the Eisteddfod in 1995 and I’m happy to loan that to the Pavarotti exhibition being staged at this year’s event in July.” (more…)