A stellar cast of world class performers is heading for a cathedral where the acoustics are “better than Sydney Opera House”.
The North Wales International Music Festival has now established itself as one of the highlights in the UK’s cultural calendar.
And the line-up at this year’s event between September 24 and October 1 at St Asaph Cathedral is being hailed as one of the best ever.
Among the star attractions are 4 Girls 4 Harps who formed in London in 2000 to perform, record, create and commission new music.
They are now the world’s leading harp quartet and have been heard in hundreds of venues and festivals in the UK and across Europe.
One of their members, Angharad Wyn Jones, from Felinheli, performed alongside pop megastar Sir Elton John in New York on 10 consecutive nights. She can’t wait to play at the festival so close to home.
One of the other main highlights this year will be a world premiere by Royal composer Paul Mealor.
The Anglesey-born composer was propelled to global fame thanks to the sensational Royal wedding anthem he wrote for Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The new work has been commissioned by the Festival, arts organistion Ty Cerdd and Bangor-based Ensemble Cymru
The cathedral was chosen as the venue for the Festival by its founder, another royal composer William Matthias, who wrote the anthem, Let the people praise Thee O God, for the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
According to Professor Matthias, one of his greatest achievements was the creation of the hugely popular music Festival in 1972.
He visited every potential venue in North Wales before deciding that St Asaph Cathedral provided the very best acoustic setting for the event.
Artistic Director Ann Atkinson explained: “I have also performed in the concert hall at Sydney Opera House and, while it has a brilliant acoustic, I must say that St Asaph Cathedral is actually a much better venue acoustically.”
The first concert of this year’s festival features the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, who appeared in the very first festival and have returned many times since, and baritone Roderick Williams.
Strings feature strongly in the week’s programme, with artists including Welsh triple harp virtuoso Robin Huw Bowen, classical guitarist Dimitris Dekavallas, and the Vida Guitar Quartet.
The award-winning Blazin’ Fiddles will also be setting the festival alight with their energetic fiddle playing. They previously played at some of the world’s top music venues including the Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Ann Atkinson, a talented mezzo soprano in her own right, will also be performing and other highlights include a recital by virtuoso pianist Llŷr Williams, from Rhos, near Wrexham.
Llŷr said: “I have very fond memories of the festival when I was very young – I played here when I was 10 years of age.
“After the performance, I went round the back and met the festival’s founder, Professor William Mathias. He was a big inspiration when I was young.”
North Wales International Music Festival, September 24-October 1, visit www.nwimf.com or ring 01745 584508 for tickets and information.
