Posts Categorized: News

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

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

Music from stage and screen at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Alfie Boe Alfie - R_Shot19-005

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

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…)