VIP visitor story in Llanelli Star

Nice piece in the Llanelli Star this morning about the visit by Philippines journalist Joanne Pijuan to Cor Meibion Llanelli's rehearsals.

Rehearsals tonight

Rehearsals tonight for Cor Meibion Llanelli, 7pm at Furnace Community Hall.

VIP visitor for Cor Meibion Llanelli

Cor Meibion Llanelli (Llanelli Male Voice) had a VIP visitor to one of their rehearsal sessions at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli.

Joanne Pijuan, a publisher, editor and columnist from Iloilo City in the Philippines, was visiting Llanelli as part of a Rotary international vocational exchange.

Joanne, 37, said: “Listening to a traditional Welsh male voice choir was a very moving experience. I am now a fan of the choir and will follow their journey with interest from the other side of the world.”

Choir chairman Mel Harries welcomed Joanne to the rehearsals (held every Monday and Thursday at Furnace, 7pm). He said: “It is good to know that the choir’s fame spreads far and wide and that a visiting journalist was so interested that she made a special effort to drop in on our rehearsals.”

Visitors and potential new members are welcome at Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsals. If you would like further information about the choir, then contact secretary Fred Elias on 01554 741027 or email llanellimvc@gmail.com

Classic review in Llanelli Star this week.

Good review of the recent Classical Choral concert in the Llanelli Star this week.

Date for your diary

Diary date: Cor Meibion Llanelli Christmas Concert will be at Theatr Elli, Llanelli, on Saturday, December 18.

Rehearsals this evening

Rehearsals tonight at 7pm at Furnace Community Hall.

Rehearsals tonight at Furnace

Rehearsals tonight at Furnace Community Hall. Visitors and new members welcome.

Review of Classical Choral

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.

More than 130 voices running at full throttle, a testing European circuit and stirring individual performances . . .

This was ‘Grand Prix class’ singing in the best choral tradition.

At the controls was Eifion Thomas, who 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.

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 individual flair was provided by four young soloists - Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor) and Trystan Lewis (bass).

Under the musical direction of Mr Thomas, we were treated to a musical journey through works by some of Europe’s greatest composers.

There may have been a couple of minor bumps along the way, but the end result was a stirring, heart-racing trip which left the Tabernacle audience breathless and exhilarated.

The programme included – Requiem in C by Charles Gounod; Wie Selig Sind Die Toten by Felix Mendelssohn; Una Voce Poco Fa by Rossini; the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s Nabucco; the Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana; Donizetti’s Mary Stuart’s Prayer; the Prisoners’ Chorus from Beethoven’s Fidelio; and a selection from Verdi’s I Lombardi.

Gounod’s Requiem in C is rarely heard today. In fact, Mr Thomas had to delve through the dusty archives at the treasure-trove which is Llanelli public library to find a copy of the score.

Once the early cobwebs had been blown away, it was given a stirring revival by Cor Baroc and the soloists.

Pembrey-born Sarah Pottinger provided one of the individual highspots of the evening with a dramatic rendition of Rosina’s Una Voce Poco Fa aria from the Barber of Seville.

Soprano Adele O’Neill was every bit her equal in Donizetti’s Mary Stuart’s Prayer.

Sterling support was provided throughout by the Glamorgan Chamber Orchestra (leader Mansel Hughes), while the organist was Allan Fewster

All in all, it was an evening when collective power outshone individual triumphs.

More than 130 choristers in full voice provides a vocal treat designed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

And they achieved just that with the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco and the final act of I Lombardi.

Musical director Eifion Thomas loves his Verdi. And Llanelli loves its rich choral tradition. On the evidence of this, it will continue to thrive long into the future.

RL

Rehearsals tonight

Rehearsals at Furnace Community Hall start at 7pm tonight. New members and visitors welcome.

Review now on thisissouthwales

Review of latest concert now online at -
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Choral-tradition-remains-strong/article-2741753-detail/article.html

Review in Evening Post tonight

Review of Classical Choral (Cor Baroc and Cor Meibion Llanelli) concert on Page 24 of the South Wales Evening Post today.

Concert date a success

Excellent evening at the Classical Choral concert at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli. All went according to plan!

Concert preview on Wales Online

Tonight's concert preview on Wales Online. See -
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/10/08/classic-choral-concert-91466-27432262/

Western Mail puts spotlight on concert

Nice short story in the Western Mail this morning about the concert this evening - Cor Baroc, Cor Meibion and various soloists in Capel Tabernacl in Llanelli.

Rehearsals tonight

It's rehearsals night for Cor Meibion Llanelli. Furnace Community Hall at 7pm. Visitors and new members welcome.

Evening Post puts spotlight on concert

Short  story in the South Wales Evening Post today about the Cor Baroc and Cor Meibion Llanelli concert this Saturday.

Carmarthen Journal puts spotlight on concert

Short story in the Carmarthen Journal newspaper today about Saturday's concert with Cor Baroc and Cor Meibion Llanelli.

Choirs featured in Llanelli Star today

Excellent story in today's Llanelli Star newspaper about the Cor Baroc and Cor Meibion Llanelli concert on Saturday.

Philippines journalist visits choir

Visiting Philippines journalist Joanne Pijuan was a special guest at the Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsal at Furnace Community Hall last night.

Rehearsals tonight

Cor Meibion Llanelli rehearsals tonight at 7pm at Furnace Community Hall, Llanelli.

Countdown to Classic Choral

Less than a week to go before Classic Choral concert in Llanelli. For tickets, see -
http://llanellimalechoir.co.uk