A WELSH baritone - dubbed the new Bryn Terfel - is returning to North Wales for a starring role at a top music festival.
Emyr Lloyd Jones, 25, who won the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, will be performing on the final night of the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral.
The concert on Saturday, October 1, will also feature the festival’s resident orchestra, NEW Sinfonia, and the National Youth Chamber Choir of Great Britain, and will bring down the curtain on the festival that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The evening is being supported by the arts-loving care organisation, Wrexham-based Pendine Park, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT), who are also the overall headline sponsors of the festival.
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PACT, which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales, also sponsored the competition at Llangollen Eisteddfod when Emyr, from Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon, was crowned one of the best young singers in the world.
Following a thrilling sing-off, watched by his proud parents and loving fiancée, he was presented with the Pendine Trophy - a solid silver salver kindly donated by the late Tony Kaye of Kaye’s Jewellers in Chester, and a £3,000 prize by Mario Kreft, proprietor Pendine Park.
Emyr said he was “over the moon” to have won such a prestigious prize, especially in the eisteddfod’s landmark 75th anniversary year.
According to the eisteddfod’s executive producer, Camilla King, his voice was reminiscent of opera mega-star Sir Bryn Terfel in his earlier years.
She said: “It has that same timbre, it’s rich, passionate, mellow and versatile. He doesn’t just sing but his voice takes you on a journey.
“I believe Emyr has the talent to become a future star of the same standing as Sir Bryn. In fact, both our finalists are outstanding talents and I’ve no doubt we will be seeing a lot more of them both in years to come.”
The festival is now underway until October 1. More details about the festival can be found at www.nwimf.com
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