Welcome to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
9-14 July 1996
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Six intensive days of music, song and dance catering for
all ages and tastes - fascinated observer - committed amateur
- brilliant professional. Worldwide competitors, over 47 nations
in colorful national costumes take part in daily competitions,
performing in evening concerts of unrivaled variety and spectacle
contributing to a friendly atmosphere of International goodwill
and understanding. A feast of music bringing amateur and professional
together. Guests this year include James Galaway, Marisha Robles,
The London Mozart Players, Tasmin Little, Anne Evans and Bryn
Terfel with the Welsh National Opera Company and Orchestra, conductor
Carlo Rizzi.
The story of Llangollen begins at the end of the war in
1946 when people began to look for ways to unite nations in a
meaningful peace. In Llangollen, the idea to internationalize
the traditional Welsh Eisteddfod was conceived and brought into
being. For six days of the summer, on a meadow in a small Welsh
town, thousands of people will come together to make music and
dance, and to absorb the atmosphere of this unique festival.
Over the years, Llangollen has managed to attract world
renowned artists, including Placido Domingo, Julian Lloyd Webber,
Sir Geraint Evans and many more. Luciano Pavarotti - the maestro
himself made a memorably emotional return to Llangollen last July,
exactly forty years from his first visit to the Eisteddfod with
his father's choir, when they won first prize. Thousands of people
turned out to see Pavarotti and the Modena Choir on the Sunday
night. The layout of the field and stage were changed to accommodate
the large TV screen, Pavarotti, his choir and orchestra.
His performance was magical, and his words appropriate;
"Forty years ago, my God it seems just like yesterday
I have done so many things. I always say
that to the journalists when they ask me what is a
day more memorable in my life, and I always
say that it is when I won this competition because
it was with all my friends."
The cheers were overwhelming when Pavarotti first appeared
on stage singing 'Quando Le Sere al Placido' Verdi. By the end
of the evening the audience were joining in with him and his choir
while he conducted.
W.S. Gwynn Willams was the Eisteddfod founder
Music Director from 1947-1977. Music was his lifelong passion
and his concern for the preservation of Welsh music, particularly
folk music was great. As proprietor of the Gwynn Publishing Firm,
he produced solo and choral music as well as arrangements of music
from other countries - factors which were important in the launching
of the International Eisteddfod.
Apart from the prodigious task of selecting test pieces
for the various competitions, contacting the overseas groups and
choirs, and arranging the engagement of adjudicators and artists,
he was responsible for the smooth running of the programme during
the Eisteddfod week Without his enthusiasm and wide musical knowledge
the International Eisteddfod could not have bee undertaken.
Obernkirchen Choir, Germany - 'Pig-tailed
Angels' is how Dylan Thomas described the children's choir from
Obernkirchen when they won the Children's Choir competition in
1953. As their own choice item, they sang a then unknown song
which later became known and popular all over the world as 'The
Happy Wanderer'.
Message of Peace and Goodwill - Since 1952,
the young people of Llangollen have presented a message of Peace
and Goodwill from the stage of the Eisteddfod. This grew from
a desire to be linked closely with the annual transmission worldwide
of such a message by Urdd Gobaith Cymru - The Welsh Language of
Youth. In this ceremony we turn to the young people for an assurance
that the values of the Eisteddfod will remain.
HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY LLANGOLLEN!
This year as the Eisteddfod enters it's 50th
year, it remains as popular as ever, and continues to unite the
world in peace and harmony. This year with a record entry of competitors
and a new competition for folk dancing groups under the age of
16, the 50th Eisteddfod is set to provide a memorable
6 days.
This year sees the appearances of artists such as James
Galaway, Marisha Robles, Anne Evans, Tasmin Little, Carlo Rizzi
and Bryn Terfel.
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