Posts Categorized: Featured

Opera star Bryn Terfel joins the kids in Eisteddfod music workshop

Opera superstar Bryn Terfel harmonised with youngsters having fun with music at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Taking a break from rehearsals for the 70th Gala Classical Concert, Bryn paid a whistle-stop visit to the tent where the award-winning Pendine Park care organisation was hosting a morning of musical workshops as part of the festival’s Children’s Day activities.

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Thousands turn out to cheer Eisteddfod’s biggest and best parade in years

THOUSANDS lined the sunny streets of the famous Denbighshire tourist town to cheer the biggest Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod parade in years.

Being held for the first time on the Friday of the festival to give more competitors arriving from around the world the chance to join in, the colourful cavalcade saw contingents from across the globe march through the heart of Llangollen to the accompaniment of rousing cheers and applause from a record number of onlookers. (more…)

Llangollen is an iconic cultural event which deserves support says Minister

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is a vital cultural event in Wales which deserves Government and private sector support, according to a veteran politician and Welsh Office Minister.

Lord Bourne, formerly Nick Bourne, the Conservative Leader in the Welsh Assembly and currently a Junior Minister at the Welsh Office, said: “The Eisteddfod is vitally important for Wales. It is one of the cultural icons we have alongside the Royal Welsh Show and the National Eisteddfod. (more…)

Operatic shootout is a lot of fun

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…)

Indonesians win children’s choral title

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.”

Veteran war reporter says festival is beacon of hope in a dark world

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…)

Tragic MP Jo Cox inspires Eisteddfod’s traditional peace message

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…)