Singing queen Kerry heads for Llangollen

The singer dubbed the First Lady of the West End is heading for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this summer.

Organisers of the iconic festival have signed up Kerry Ellis who has starred in smash hit musicals in London’s West End and Broadway in New York and is a long-term collaborator of Queen guitarist Brian May.

She will be topping the bill in the Voices of Musical Theatre concert on Wednesday, July 6, when she’ll be sharing the stage with Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro,  the classical and musical theatre boy band.

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First choir to sing at Llangollen prepares for historic return

The first ever choir to sing at the world-famous Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod is to make a symbolic return to celebrate the festival’s 70th year.

The Colne Valley Male Voice Choir, based in Huddersfield, has scooped six titles at the historic festival over the years as well as five second places and two third prizes – but back in 1947 they missed out.

The 70-strong choir, which was founded in Slaithwaite in 1922, was the first to take to the Eisteddfod stage in 1947 and it was up against choirs from Hungary, the eventual winners, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Holland as well as Wales and England.

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Appearing in Llangollen will be a “dream come true” for top tenor

Superstar tenor Joseph Calleja will be fulfilling a long-held ambition when he appears at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Not only will he be following in the footsteps of his hero, Luciano Pavarotti, the Maltese singer will also be appearing with one of his best friends, the globally acclaimed bass baritone, Bryn Terfel.

Joseph and Bryn will be taking to the stage together for the Classical Gala Concert marking the 70th Llangollen Eisteddfod since the iconic festival was founded in 1947 to promote peace and harmony in the world. (more…)

Search for world’s best young singers given a massive boost

An iconic competition to find the world’s best young singers has been given a massive boost by a pioneering care organisation.

Pendine Park has agreed to more than triple the prize money up for grabs in the prestigious Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

According to the festival’s Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, increasing the annual prize to £5,000 from 2017 onwards will “catapult the competition into a whole new league”.

He said: “This is a truly remarkable gesture which will lead to a big surge in interest for new vocal talent.

“The timing is especially appropriate as we will be celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2017 and looking forward to an even brighter future.”

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Son of Llangollen Eisteddfod founder remembers festival’s heady early days

The son of the man who founded the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is to be a guest of honour at the 70th festival this July.

Peter Tudor, now 84, remembers how his father, visionary Welsh journalist Harold Tudor, came up with the idea of a grand cultural gathering to help heal the scars left by World War Two.

Peter vividly recalls the excitement generated as competitors from across Europe began to gather for the first festival in the small Denbighshire town in the summer of 1947.

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Llangollen Eisteddfod on a roll after top bakery serves up early dough

Bakery bosses have served up an early boost for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Earlier this year the festival launched a cash appeal because the 2015 event was heading for a financial loss.

The appeal raised £50,000 and now long-term sponsors the Village Bakery are paying next year’s sponsorship money ahead of time.

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Opera superstar Bryn and top tenor head for Llangollen gala concert

Opera superstar Bryn Terfel is planning to celebrate the 70th Llangollen International Musical Festival in style – sharing the bill with a good friend who’s also a world class tenor.
The popular bass-baritone Bryn Terfel CBE will be the star of the evening concert on Thursday, July 7, alongside his supremely talented Maltese opera colleague, Joseph Calleja whose voice has been compared to the legendary Caruso. (more…)

Boogie-woogie legend Jools Holland returns to celebrate festival honour

Boogie-woogie legend Jools Holland is returning to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – to celebrate becoming a vice president of the iconic festival.
According to the former Squeeze pianist, band leader, author, TV and radio presenter he’s delighted to have been offered the honorary role at the “utterly brilliant event”.
Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will be bringing down the curtain on the 70th Eisteddfod next summer with a foot stomping party on Sunday, July 10.
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Foot-stomping climax to Llangollen Eisteddfod

The music legend who formed one of the world’s top reggae bands provided a foot-stomping climax to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, soon had the audience on its feet at the closing concert of the iconic festival, where they delighted the crowd with their back catalogue of hits.
He was reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of UB40 – percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.
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Katherine becomes Carmen

Classical singing sensation Katherine Jenkins OBE has been unveiled as a star attraction at next year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
According to the talented mezzo soprano, she’s delighted to be returning to the iconic festival for the first time since her last appearance in 2010.
She will be treating the audience at the opening night of the 2016 Eisteddfod to a concert version of Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen, the tale of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier seduced by the fiery Gypsy.
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