Wynne Evans concert review
Wynne Evans: Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen
You can tell Wynne Evans, the most famous tenor in Britain, has come a long way. If you can tease the Mayor of Carmarthen in his home town, then you must be doing well.
“Why is it that there’s a sign outside Pontrhydyfen, saying ‘Home town of Richard Burton, Ivor Emmanuel and Rebecca Evans?” Wynne asked during his homecoming concert at the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen.
“I mean, come on, Mr Mayor,” the singer joked, with a heavy hint that Carmarthen needs some extra showbiz gloss to the roadsign that declares it to be the oldest town in Wales.
When you’re No1 in the classical album charts, appearing on most of the TV breakfast channels and part of one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history, you can afford to take liberties with civic protocol.
The singer already has the unofficial ‘freedom of Carmarthen’ as one of its favourite sons, which is why he chose the Lyric Theatre as the venue for a concert which doubled up as album launch and a TV recording.
Wynne is one of the biggest classical singers in Britain, but he also performs something of a juggling act with a career as the flamboyant Gio Compario, the star of TV’s popular Go Compare adverts. His new album is called ‘A Song In My Heart’.
He was born in Carmarthen, into a musical family. His mother, Elizabeth, set up the very successful Carmarthen Youth Opera and was instrumental in the saving the Lyric Theatre. He has a famous brother, Mark, who is also a singer and together they present the BBC Radio Wales show Sibling Rivalry.
Proceeds from this week’s concert at the Lyric went to the Elizabeth Evans Trust, established in 2005 in memory of his mother. The trust provides scholarships to support young people wanting to train in the performing arts.
The concert was a typical showcase of Wynne’s talents, balancing operatic arias, Mario Lanza favourites and some fun stuff. It was a dazzling evening’s entertainment.
A duet of Pie Jesu with boy soprano Rhys Meilyr Jones was just one highlight in a show which will be recommended viewing on Sunday evening on S4C.
The concert also featured Rebecca Evans, Mark Evans, Christopher Jacobsen, Owain Llyr Williams, Cerddorfa Siambr Cymru and Côr Caerdydd.
Catch Wynne on TV: S4C programmes - Wynne Evans: Gio Compario - Friday 1 April at 20:25. Wynne Evans: Nôl Gartre' (Back Home) yn y Lyric - Sunday 3 April at 20:30.
You can tell Wynne Evans, the most famous tenor in Britain, has come a long way. If you can tease the Mayor of Carmarthen in his home town, then you must be doing well.
“Why is it that there’s a sign outside Pontrhydyfen, saying ‘Home town of Richard Burton, Ivor Emmanuel and Rebecca Evans?” Wynne asked during his homecoming concert at the Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen.
“I mean, come on, Mr Mayor,” the singer joked, with a heavy hint that Carmarthen needs some extra showbiz gloss to the roadsign that declares it to be the oldest town in Wales.
When you’re No1 in the classical album charts, appearing on most of the TV breakfast channels and part of one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history, you can afford to take liberties with civic protocol.
The singer already has the unofficial ‘freedom of Carmarthen’ as one of its favourite sons, which is why he chose the Lyric Theatre as the venue for a concert which doubled up as album launch and a TV recording.
Wynne is one of the biggest classical singers in Britain, but he also performs something of a juggling act with a career as the flamboyant Gio Compario, the star of TV’s popular Go Compare adverts. His new album is called ‘A Song In My Heart’.
He was born in Carmarthen, into a musical family. His mother, Elizabeth, set up the very successful Carmarthen Youth Opera and was instrumental in the saving the Lyric Theatre. He has a famous brother, Mark, who is also a singer and together they present the BBC Radio Wales show Sibling Rivalry.
Proceeds from this week’s concert at the Lyric went to the Elizabeth Evans Trust, established in 2005 in memory of his mother. The trust provides scholarships to support young people wanting to train in the performing arts.
The concert was a typical showcase of Wynne’s talents, balancing operatic arias, Mario Lanza favourites and some fun stuff. It was a dazzling evening’s entertainment.
A duet of Pie Jesu with boy soprano Rhys Meilyr Jones was just one highlight in a show which will be recommended viewing on Sunday evening on S4C.
The concert also featured Rebecca Evans, Mark Evans, Christopher Jacobsen, Owain Llyr Williams, Cerddorfa Siambr Cymru and Côr Caerdydd.
Catch Wynne on TV: S4C programmes - Wynne Evans: Gio Compario - Friday 1 April at 20:25. Wynne Evans: Nôl Gartre' (Back Home) yn y Lyric - Sunday 3 April at 20:30.
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