From majestic anthems at Royal weddings to the haphazard fun of jazz – a week of free performances from talented young musicians will be held at Llandaff Cathedral next week.
Students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama will join professionals from the Welsh National Opera and the choristers and organists of the Cathedral for the annual Festival of Music from Saturday.
All the performances will be free with donations going to the £1.5m Cathedral Organ appeal. And some of concerts will be broadcast – live and recorded – to hospital patients and staff, thanks to Radio Glamorgan at the University Hospital of Wales.
Those who missed out on an invite to the Royal Wedding this year will get a flavour of its majestic choral music as Llandaff Cathedral Choir performs a concert of music for Royal occasions, including weddings and coronations. There will also be a chance to see how the trebles and lay clerks in the choir prepare for singing, at an open rehearsal at the start of the festival.
Other highlights this year include:
- Jazz Standards – Chris Gilligan and friends;
- An evening of instrumentalists from the Welsh National Opera;
- Dance! Brass ensemble from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama;
- Venetian Virtuosi – Badinerie and Royal Welsh Sackbuts;
- Organ recital from James Norrey
Each evening will begin with Choral Evensong.
The Llandaff Festival of Music has attracted thousands of visitors since it was relaunched in 2008. All the concerts are free, thanks to the generosity of the participating artists. Donations and other money raised will go to complete the Cathedral’s new Nicholson organ which is the largest cathedral organ to be built in the UK for nearly half a century.
Director of the Festival, the Rev Canon Graham Holcombe, said, “I am delighted to introduce this year’s Llandaff Festival. The overall vision can be summarised in one word: opportunity. Firstly is the opportunity given to exceptionally talented musicians to perform in the superb venue of Llandaff Cathedral with its wonderful setting and marvellous acoustic. Secondly is the opportunity to demonstrate the new Nicholson organ which was played for the first time at Easter 2010.
“All proceeds from the events and catering are given towards the completion of the project. I should like once again to thank the many Patrons whose generosity has again supported the initial cost of the Festival. Since the Festival re-launch in 2008 many thousands have visited, and as always the Festival remains within the Liturgical tradition of Choral Evensong, very much part of the programme of events. Everyone is welcome to come along.”
Homemade refreshments and a licensed bar will be available between Festival events to tempt peckish punters. A Champagne and Canapés reception will round the Festival off following the Thanksgiving Service on July 3.
For more details see http://www.llandaffcathedral.org.uk/Llandaff%20Festival%202011%20Leaflet.pdf
