Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas conjured up the festive spirit for the choir’s ‘Sing Christmas’ concert staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli. Mr Thomas organised a show which cleverly blended audience participation on a number of Carols and Christmas favourites with choral treats from Côr Meibion Llanelli and their guests, Côr Baroc and Parti Llwchwr. It was a Christmas cracker of an evening, with musical treats galore culminating in a rousing Hallelujah chorus. Mr Thomas went into the choir’s back catalogue to serve up Song Of Hope from the choir’s 1983 album and provided another gem in Trysor y Crud (The treasure of the manger), a song written by the aunt of BBC newsreader Huw Edwards. Bethlehem from the musical Martin Guerre (written by the team behind Les Miserables) was given a good airing, while a further treat was provided by ‘Sut Nadolig bu eleni?’ (What sort of Christmas will it be?), a song written by former chorister Bryn Davies, of Llwynhe...

Llanelli's Eifion Thomas was featured in the Western Mail's My Cultural Weekend column yesterday. Here is what he had to say . . .  As any musical director knows, there is a balance between what you would like to happen and what actually happens. So it is with a cultural weekend . . . One Saturday morning you are busy putting together Handel’s Messiah with three choirs - Côr Baroc Llanelli, Llandudno’s Côr Cymysg Dyffryn Conwy and Côr Glandulais from Pontarddulais. The next Saturday, you find you have a free weekend and you wonder what to do with it . . . Weekends are rarely ‘free’. In fact, last night (Friday) I was busy immersing myself in our rich Welsh musical heritage by performing at a Gymanfa Ganu at Grove Place Chapel in Port Talbot. Rest and relaxation on Saturday starts with a stroll around Parc Howard in Llanelli, a short walk from my front door. The historic park mansion house contains a museum which may be Llanelli’s best-kept secret. Check out the harmonium wi...

Pictures of last week's Cor Baroc Classical Choral concert didn't come out very well. But they are on the web for those interested - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/robertapvincent/CorBarocClassicalChoralConcert# Musical director Eifion Thomas.

Concert review: Classical Choral - Featuring Cor Baroc, Cor Meibion Llanelli, Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor), Trystan Lewis (bass), Alan Fewster (organ) and the Glamorgan Chamber Orchestra (Leader: Mansel Hughes) at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli, Saturday, October 9. Eifion Thomas has long been recognised as one of the torch bearers when it comes to keeping Llanelli’s rich musical tradition alive. It is a role he revels in, as he proved when he brought two of his choirs centre stage for ‘Classical Choral’ at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli, on Saturday night. Taking centre stage were Cor Baroc, a 65-strong mixed choir formed by Mr Thomas in 2006. They were joined by Cor Meibion Llanelli, the juggernaut 70-strong male voice choir which enjoys a worldwide reputation. And the icing on the cake was provided by four young soloists - Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor) and Trystan Lewis (bass). Mr Thomas ...

It promises to be one of the musical highlights of the year in Llanelli. Cor Baroc Llanelli will be joined by Cor Meibion Llanelli for a ‘Classic Choral’ concert at Tabernacle Chapel on Saturday (October 9). And the marvellous mix provided by the two choirs gets some added zest with the addition of four young soloists to the concert platform. The evening promises to be a tribute to the long heritage of choral singing associated with Tabernacle Chapel (Capel Tabernacl) in Llanelli. “Followers of musical history will appreciate the major role that Capel Tabernacl has played in Llanelli,” said Eifion Thomas, who is musical director of both Cor Baroc and Cor Meibion. “During the 1940s and ’50s, a host of famous singers graced the concert stage in the chapel when taking part in the annual oratorio. “Names such as Kathleen Ferrier, Joan Hammond, Walter Widdop, Walter Glynn, David Franklyn, David Lloyd, John Cameron and a very young Joan Sutherland appeared on the concert programmes during th...

Cor Baroc Llanelli will be joined by Cor Meibion Llanelli for a 'Classic Choral' concert at Tabernacle Chapel on Saturday, October 9, 7pm. The concert will feature works by Gounod, Donizetti and Verdi. Soloists will include Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor) and Trystan Lewis (bass). The organist will be Allan Fewster. Both choirs will be under the baton of Eifion Thomas. The concert will also feature the Glamorgan Chamber Orchestra (leader Mansel Hughes). Tickets are £8 and available from 770751 and 756438.