The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, one of the world’s biggest global celebrations of music and dance is to again play host to a glittering array of new and established international stars at this year’s annual festival in July.
Elaine Paige, one of the biggest stars in the history of Broadway and the West End, and renowned as the lead in Evita, Cats, Chess and many other worldwide hit musicals, is to open this year’s festival on 8 July with a special evening entitled ‘Elaine Paige : The Anniversary Concert’. Celebrating some 40 years of stardom this year.
The incredible Onke Ose bring their own joyful celebrations and high-energy dancing to the International Eisteddfod for their first ever concert on 10 July. It will be a remarkable evening, with 17 singers and dancers tracing the history of the continent’s black music, from Zulu dancing via township music to the dancing of the mining communities and a capella singing.
All Angels, the all-girl super-group, are to headline the Friday Evening Concert on 11 July, bringing their fresh sound and bright look to the Eisteddfod for the very first time. Their repertoire, a blend of classical, choral, opera and pop music.
Llangollen’s traditional season-ending Opera Gala Evening, on Sunday 13 July, features three brilliant young soloists, Alfie Boe, Elin Manahan Thomas, and David Kempster performing with the acclaimed Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera. Elin Manahan Thomas, the young Swansea soprano, has had an amazing year, reaching number 2 in the charts with her debut CD, Eternal Light, and receiving massive critical acclaim from classical music tastemakers far and wide. The honeyed baritone, David Kempster, born just a few miles away from the Eisteddfod’s grounds in Chirk, makes his grand debut appearance at the International Eisteddfod.
Choirs from all over the world will also be competing for the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy in the Choir of the World competition. Representatives from Wales include ‘Cywair’, previous winners of the Choir of the World, and the successful folk dance groups Dawnswyr Nantgarw and Dawnswyr Penrhyd who have both enjoyed success at Llangollen in the past.
© 2010 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales