Soloists steal the show at St David's Day concert
Review: Cor Meibion Llanelli St David’s Day concert at Theatr Elli, Llanelli. Featuring soprano Llio Evans and tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.
It was a close run thing, but even Cor Meibion Llanelli members will have to admit that the soloists stole the show at the choir’s annual St David’s Day concert.
As you’d expect, Cor Meibion Llanelli pulled out all the stops with a repertoire which pitched contemporary songs alongside traditional Welsh classics and balanced spirituals alongside classic Verdi.
But the standing ovations went to two young Welsh soloists who can be marked down as stars of the future – soprano Llio Evans and tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.
Both are past winners of the National Eisteddfod Blue Riband for singers under 25, the Osborne Roberts Memorial Award.
And they showed their winning ways by claiming the hearts of an appreciative Theatr Elli audience.
Their joint encore of the Brindisi duet from Verdi’s La Traviata was simply stunning.
Earlier Anglesey-born Llio had wowed the audience with a programme which included Blodau Ger Y Drws, Hei-Ho and the Ivor Novello classic My heart will awake.
Pembrokeshire’s Trystan Llŷr Griffiths lived up to his billing as a ‘tenor with a voice like Welsh legend Stuart Burrows’.
Bugail Aberdyfi and Llanrwst were two highlights, but the show-stopper was O Sole Mio.
The massed ranks of Cor Meibion Llanelli did their level best to compete with the star appeal of the two soloists.
All the old favourites were given an airing – Y Dref Wen, Myfanwy, Gwahoddiad, Llanfair and Y Tangnefeddwyr.
But one of the highspots was the ‘premier’ of a new song composed by Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas to commemorate the Llanelli Railway Riot of 1911.
Fe Ganwn Gan (We will sing) is a powerful and rousing memorial tribute. And on the evidence of its first public performance it could well become a favourite rallying tune to join Yma o Hyd in the songbook for followers of the Llanelli Scarlets.
The evening, sponsored by Gravells, was compered with style and flair by Huw Llewellyn Davies, the S4C rugby commentator and presenter.
It was a close run thing, but even Cor Meibion Llanelli members will have to admit that the soloists stole the show at the choir’s annual St David’s Day concert.
As you’d expect, Cor Meibion Llanelli pulled out all the stops with a repertoire which pitched contemporary songs alongside traditional Welsh classics and balanced spirituals alongside classic Verdi.
But the standing ovations went to two young Welsh soloists who can be marked down as stars of the future – soprano Llio Evans and tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths.
Both are past winners of the National Eisteddfod Blue Riband for singers under 25, the Osborne Roberts Memorial Award.
And they showed their winning ways by claiming the hearts of an appreciative Theatr Elli audience.
Their joint encore of the Brindisi duet from Verdi’s La Traviata was simply stunning.
Earlier Anglesey-born Llio had wowed the audience with a programme which included Blodau Ger Y Drws, Hei-Ho and the Ivor Novello classic My heart will awake.
Pembrokeshire’s Trystan Llŷr Griffiths lived up to his billing as a ‘tenor with a voice like Welsh legend Stuart Burrows’.
Bugail Aberdyfi and Llanrwst were two highlights, but the show-stopper was O Sole Mio.
The massed ranks of Cor Meibion Llanelli did their level best to compete with the star appeal of the two soloists.
All the old favourites were given an airing – Y Dref Wen, Myfanwy, Gwahoddiad, Llanfair and Y Tangnefeddwyr.
But one of the highspots was the ‘premier’ of a new song composed by Cor Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas to commemorate the Llanelli Railway Riot of 1911.
Fe Ganwn Gan (We will sing) is a powerful and rousing memorial tribute. And on the evidence of its first public performance it could well become a favourite rallying tune to join Yma o Hyd in the songbook for followers of the Llanelli Scarlets.
The evening, sponsored by Gravells, was compered with style and flair by Huw Llewellyn Davies, the S4C rugby commentator and presenter.
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