2016 Llangollen

I say, you, old chap. I've only 23! I'm looking for... Llangollen. But,

my dear fellow, off we go to this wonderful sounding new festival and

don't forget my bags. Right. At that one, and that one. Come along.

Don't adjust your set, it is 2016 and welcome to the Llangollen

International Musical Eisteddfod. It is the 70th event and what better

way to start the highlights here in the colourful parade through the

town? There is so much to see, we had better split up, I will see you

in about an hour. Don't get lost! Hello. How are you enjoying the

parade? Can I have a go at waving your flag?

AA, you guys. We've had a goat, now we've got a dog. He is a Welsh

poodle. Are you enjoying it? Absolutely brilliant day. Hello,

Trinidad and Tobago! The sun has come out for you. Yes, we are so

happy. Australia, how are you enjoy it? It

is amazing, the atmosphere is so beautiful, it's great, I love it.

Hello, Norway. I have a bone to pick with you. I think we are in the same

hotel and this morning you were doing the hokey cookie outside!

Be booked onto Llangollen to enjoy the dance, colour and partying but

since if one week every year, this town is home to the best choral

music in the world. And this choir from California really stood out for

me. I think you are the smelliest choir

in the Eisteddfod. This week we have had so much fun. We took first place

in the adult competition, then we took second in the youth choir

competition and we have the most amazing parade. We have just now

finished in the adult mixed competition where we have a good

chance, I think. It was really good. A top choir with some Billy Clarke

notes. -- with some really top notes.

the small town of Llangollen is nestled in the Dene Valley and on

the face of it looks like other small towns in Wales, but every

summer this town is transformed and comes alive.

70 years ago, something miraculous happened here. It was the journalist

Harold dude who came up with the idea of an international festival,

and he chose Llangollen because of the beauty of its location and

because of the enthusiasm of local musicians. The world was still

suffering the aftermath of the Second World War and here was an

opportunity to offer hope, to heal and unite countries. And music and

international language was the perfect way of achieving this. The

first Eisteddfod was held in June 19 47. Never before in any town in

Wales have so many people of so many nationalities assembled for the

purpose of lifting their voices in song. Is there anyone here who

understands music? , give me a hand, please, to move this piano. It

started as an international choral Festival but a group of Spanish

dancers turned up hoping to compete. They were invited to perform during

a special evening concert and with -- they were such a hit with the

audience that next year, a new folk dance competition was established.

This children's choir, singing their hit song, transfixed the poet Dylan

Thomas, who visited in 1953. He called them angels in pigtails, and

the event itself a miracle. The miracle is that such a small town

managers to stage such a grand international event which continues

to evolve and capture audiences' imagination to this day. While this

is an international festival, Wales regularly puts in a good showing,

and especially this year in the children's choral competitions.

How did they do today? I am really pleased with all of them, they were

fantastic. They worked hard. It is the first time they have competed in

this category. The aim was to enjoy ourselves and we definitely did

that. APPLAUSE

the choir were delighted to be declared winners in the junior bar

section. Your teacher must be very proud of you. She's crying! And a

senior children's choir competition is always keenly contested, and once

again, with Wales putting in a strong showing.

And Ali onstage for the girls, how did you get on? We were really

pleased, all our hard work paid off. All the practices and early

mornings, it all came together. Yes, another first prize winning

performance for Wales. How does it feel? Amazing! Are no

words. I'm shaking! Is it the first time that your core of one? -- that

your choir have won? First time with me involved, yes.

This is the 70th Eisteddfod here at Llangollen and to celebrate, they

have an archive tent with all the history of the Eisteddfod and one

thing in particular has caught my eye, a piece of sheet music. Tell me

about this. It is called the son of freedom and it was composed for the

very first Eisteddfod in 1947, and it has never been some never

produced. Never been performed? Not at all. Can I get it open? I don't

need gloves? Would you lend this to me for five minutes? Certainly.

There are various theories as to fight the piece has never been

performed but it was put in a box and has never seen the light of day,

until today. All I need now is a choir to help me perform it. I have

got a choir, let's do this! SINGING

What do we think of that? Inter-mac I think it is very pretty. Would you

like to put it into your repertoire? It is kind of long.

BOOING I loved it. Thank you very much. I

will entrust this into your care to take home. Once again, the 21

strings ensemble from China were able popular favourite.

Now, I've done it, I have found... Your back again. It is very

different experience. I decided to bring them back again. Thank you for

coming back. Tell me about this instrument. It is a very traditional

instrument in China. It has 21 strings.

Have you enjoyed the festival? We loved it here. It is gorgeous here.

We loved having you, thank you for bringing your amazing instruments.

We love Llangollen! Choirs come from all over the world to sing at this

festival. One choir that has been killing the goal is Bishop Anthony

high school choir from Trinidad and Tobago.

CHEERING. Now, time for some sultry seduction

and fiery heat on the stage at Llangollen. Are you ready, ladies?

No, it's not me in concert, it's a production of Carmen.

In every opera, there is a heroine. You are our heroine this evening.

How are you feeling? Pretty good. I'm looking forward to my debut in

the UK. This is the first time? Absolutely, my first time in Wales.

What is the first thing that grabs you about Wales? The countryside. I

am here with my daughter, she is five and she wants to be outside all

the time. Let's talk about the role, which you

have performed all around the world. How will your performance differ

tonight, how do they differ with different conductors? I think every

production is different. It depends on the cast, the other media sins,

the conductor. That colours everything. My interpretation, the

way I do Carmen is about how he interprets Don Jose as well. We try

to adapt to each other. No are Stuart, Don Jose, what's

going on? Additive feel up there? Is going to be back. Is it how you

remember is? It's bigger. There are more flowers. There are -- there is

this woman in Carmen who drives me crazy!

What is it about singing here that makes it so special? It's

everything. I grew up singing in a choir. Did you grow up singing in a

choir? So it's almost like a retracing my steps. And seeing the

photos of the choir competition and thinking, I can't believe that that

was my first beginnings and now I'm living out my dream.

International orchestra, doesn't get much better? No. And we haven't had

much rehearsal, but the audiences are a treat.

APPLAUSE. CHEERING.

What a reception for the scintillating performance of Carmen.

Now, we all know that Wynne Evans likes a challenge. I don't like a

challenge, I love a challenge! Good, I will set you one. I was wondering

if you would be willing to learn a few new dance moves. Not a problem,

name your genre, Bollywood, ballet, ballroom, break dancing, I'm there!

Will be the judge of that. Promise me by the end of the show, you will

have learnt a new routine. And I got a challenge for you, Connie

Fisher... Connie! 'S children stay here at Llangollen

and this tent is full of local schoolchildren here to enjoy the

entertainment on stage and and the Eisteddfod field. It is an amazing

party atmosphere. There is entertainment on stage and

activities on the field. Are you all having fun? Yes! Well, I'm yet to

put a stop to all that fun. -- I'm here to put a stop. These children

have just watched the three Little pigs, what you think of it? I liked

it when he puffed the houses down. They have to and past and blew the

house down. Did you enjoy your experience? Yes! Andujar, and I'll

pass, and I'll blow your house in! -- and I will half, and I will pass,

. If you are worried about showing yourself about Llangollen, give up.

Go with the flow and go with it, Bollywood style.

So Connie set me the challenge and I thought, Highland, I haven't done

that before. So hello. Tell me a little bit about your group. My

group come from the Highlands, Evanton. The group has been going

for 26 years and I'd tutor each successive group. I'm not what you

would call a professional dancer, but I'm pretty good. How do you

think I will fare? I think you will find this a real challenge. OK,

Irene, show me what I have to do. So stand in a circle beside your

partners. Circle around 48, circle back again. Couples opposite each

other are going to tango across for four. Coupled opposite going to

tangle back -- are going to tango back. And then we will go for a

small lift. You're not going to lift me? I would need porridge first! :.

I haven't got a kilt on, that's the problem. Back, one, two, three,

four... Clearly, at the moment, it looks like the generation game. Give

me 24-hour is. This newly formed group combines the

talents of two groups. Despite only working together a few hours before

the competition they managed to secure first prize in their

category. APPLAUSE. This is the 70th Eisteddfod here in

Llangollen. But back in 1947, the current Eisteddfod field would have

been empty. For the first ten years, this Eisteddfod would have been held

here in this field. To tell us the story, the president of the

Eisteddfod has come to unveil a clerk with the help of pupils from

Klizan and Tobago. SINGING.

-- from Trinidad and Tobago. To all the young people here today,

believe in peace and don't believe that there is nothing that you can

do. People here in Wales have had an impact that has extended around the

world. APPLAUSE. The three honours declare this

monument open. What does it feel like to be singing

at the special ceremony? We feel so honoured to be here. We are from

Trinidad and Tobago, a tiny island in the Caribbean so we feel honoured

to be part of something special. The idea that music can bring together

people from cultures and religions and that is what we believe in. So

to be part of that is truly an honour for us.

Terry, what a special day this has been? It is a wonderful inspiration

because it shows that ordinary people such as you and I can make a

difference. Here in Wales, people have used their natural talent. Some

people in Wales can sing. You would know much about that, but some

people... LAUGHTER.

. Some people in Wales can sing. They use that ability to promote

peace. You might think about that. They do say that everybody has a

song in them. I am ready? We are going to do it together. You will

have to prompt me for the words. # Will keep a welcome in the

hillside, will keep a welcome in the veils... # Terry Waite, what a

legend! And right at home here in Llangollen

this year, Kerry Ellis is taking centre stage for a celebration of my

favourite kind of music. She's the star of Wicked.

CHEERING. Well, we are getting ready for the

magic of the musicals and with the first Lady of musical theatre, Kerry

Ellis. How excited are you to be here? I am so excited to be year. I

arrived today and I been driving through the little village. Then we

had a sound check here and a rehearsal. The orchestra sounds

amazing, the girl and boy dancers are amazing. I feel really lucky to

be here. What can we expect a year you singing? I'm singing songs from

Wicked, and from cats. . # Touch me, it's so easy to leave

the cooling, all alone with the memories of my days in the sun... #

If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is Look, a new day

has begun. #

You have performed with some very exciting people, Brian May, Barry

Manilow. Have you performed with Nia? I

haven't, but I must do. # With Wynne Evans,. Talk through

your career. I have been really fortunate to keep working. I have

done some big West End shows. Wicked, we know.

I think I just keep banging on people's doors and done, I'm still

here! # All that jazz!

# And that jazz. The people who really hold the power

here are the flower committee. Right, teach me how to do something

in less than 30 seconds. Come on, then. Can we have a go at that? You

need to put the foliage in first to get the shape and start with the

flowers. Hang on. I think this is turning out a bit better than yours!

How am I doing so far? Who rubbish? -- who said. You need flowers. It's

not finished yet! I'm still going. I think I'm bringing years of

experience to this table. It is finished. It could do with a bit of

gypsophila. What would you give for that? ?3.50. Excellent. It's yours.

SINGING Back to the competitions and one of

the most popular categories this year is the children's folk choir.

You can see five. Taking first prize is this youth choir from Indonesia.

APPLAUSE And this core also went on to win

the prestigious children choir of the world price. An emotional visit

for the Indonesians and Wynne was there to confront the edge-mac to

congratulate them. -- to congratulate them. The children's

choir of the world! You have been fantastic. I'm speechless! You must

be showing wonderful now. Yes, yes. Very relieved, happy, proud, I don't

know, everything. Will you let them have a party this evening? I think

so! The children's choir of the world!

APPLAUSE For the 70th Dallas concert this

year, Bryn Turtle packed the audience into the International

Pavilion. Bryn, hello. Good to be back at home? Always good to sing in

Llangollen. Two years ago we did Sweeney Todd. You can't have

anything that is so different, different atmospheres.

A young singer from Malta has come to join. I think he came in the

second year, I had my festival in Bangor. We sing together now and

again. In this terrific world of ours.

APPLAUSE We are backstage in the very

glamorous dressing rooms. Your first time in Llangollen but not your

first time in the Eisteddfod? Wales was the first time -- one of the

first countries I started in. You got to sing with Bryn, that has

to be a good thing. We sort of look like each other. I am a bit smaller.

My children asked me, do you believe in Dragons? I told them, I sing with

one of the most beautiful and talented Dragons in the world, which

is Bryn. # If I were a Rich man... # Lord, who made the land and the

lamb. APPLAUSE

Let's talk about football. Luckily, Malta haven't drawn Wales in the

qualifiers for the World Cup. You have the easy option! Very much so.

I think Wales were a bit unlucky. But Malta still have to step up our

game in football. But who knows? We will get there, much like Iceland.

Martin, welcome to Llangollen. What does it mean to you to be

President for the day? It means a lot, Terry Waite asks -- asked me

stop I have had a fascinating time. We are gathered here at this

magnificent festival at eight of rancour and division in our country.

Cities against countryside, the old against the young. The time of

bitterness and in commission and incivility. The contrast between the

discord of our politics and the Concorde of our music could not be

greater than at this time and this place. You describe this festival as

a beacon of light in dark and troubled times. Is the festival as

relevant now as it was when it started? I would say more than ever.

I happen to believe we live in the most dangerous times, the last 40 or

50 years, instability all around, recriminations at home, and we have

to pull together as a nation again, we have this wonderful common Bond,

which is music, which has or was provided solace in times of trouble

and I think now more than ever. Against the darkness of the time,

made this great festival shine like a beacon of light. Thank you.

APPLAUSE One group that has created a huge

impression this week is this dance group, all the way from Zimbabwe.

The school was founded with the aim of inspiring children to grow, to be

confident and responsible young people. They have travelled over

7000 miles to perform and compete here, and the school's founder is

very proud of her group. The children have been excellent in the

performances. The first one was the children's folk dance. They came in

fourth position. They did excellently because this was their

first experience at an international level. So for us, they did

wonderfully. BOOING

Zimbabwe! I heard you had a big party last night, is that true? I

hope there was no cheese in the ladies around! -- chasing. Are you

ready? Bringing their distinctive vocal

style this year, the Swingle singers. This piece was in the

group's original repertoire, created in 1962.

APPLAUSE The winner of the instrumental folk

solo competition this year is this musician from China. The piece

describes huntsmen having a successful day. It was certainly a

success for Sabrina! So, early in the week I sent you a

challenge at the moment has come to show us. Are you ready? I was born

ready! Very good! I'm very impressed with

that. Let's see what our audience think.

Nailed it! Totally. Well, the winning dance groups go through to

the dance Championships' competition. Sadly, Wynne Evans is

not quite good enough yet for the competition. Next year? Hot

contenders for the prize with these dancers from India. -- were these

dancers from India. But winning the overall main prize

itself, the 2016 dance Championships of Llangollen would simply stunning

group from Indonesia, moving together with breathtaking

precision. CHEERING.

Llangollen Eisteddfod has welcomed its fair share of musical legends

but one legend in particular stands out. In 1955, a male choir from

modular in Italy came to compete here at Llangollen. Although they

were up against 22 other choirs, they won first prize. The experience

of visiting this International Festival made a huge impression on

one of the younger members of the choir. His name, Luciano Pavarotti.

And you promised them that he would be back. I always say that to the

journalists when they ask me what is the day more memorable in my life.

And I always say, the day when I won this competition. 40 years later, in

July 1995, Pavarotti got the chance to come back with his father,

Fernando. He was here for a special concert and to keep the promise he

made in 1955. The beautiful people! For the first time in the history of

the Eisteddfod, the crowd also paid to watch the concert outside the

pavilion. And the concert was also related to Singleton Park in Swansea

where a crowd of 40,000 watched the man on the big screen. I know there

is other people outside... CHEERING.

For 40 years, I was looking for this day.

APPLAUSE. The organisation told me, you can

come back in 40 years. LAUGHTER.

. They are optimistic, and thank you for the beautiful night you give to

me. It meant so much to him, the legend, Luciano Pavarotti.

And Pavarotti's name is still still honours with Llangollen and because

the winner of Choir of the World wins the Pavarotti trophy. It has

all been leading up to this. And Wynne Evans is going to be our guide

leading us through the Choir of the World 2016.

So, the show has begun. The choir from the Philippines got us off to a

flying start. They are a young choir and they really do perform. A

spectacle for the eyes as well as the ears. But my criticism was that

they could be a bit series, they needed to be a bit brighter. But

having said that, the standard has been set, and it is a high one. --

my criticism was that they could be a bit serious.

Second on stage tonight worthy winners of the ladies' choir

category. This choir had a great dynamic range and are not afraid to

sing out loud, which I absolutely love. Maybe their programme was a

bit safe to the winners of Choir of the World, and I'm not sure about

the bouquets on their wrists. But they are polished and definite

contenders. Next on stage, the winners of the

mixed choir category, the Bob Cole Conservatory choir from the USA. And

the standard got a whole lot higher. I love these guys. Difficult music,

brilliantly executed, sung with soul and real passion. If I had one

criticism, picking holes, right at the start of the programme, the

intonation at the top of the voice was a bit dodgy. But I don't care,

because I actually love them. Our penultimate choir do things on

an epic scale. But their main strength for me is also their main

weakness. It is such a wide age range. Some of the schools our

primary is and there might be the odd member eligible for a free bus

pass. As a result, it is difficult to blend the voices. But I love the

choir's ethos and I think they will do fantastically well tonight.

The final choir on stage tonight, the winners of the male voice choir

category. These guys saying with passion. They may not be as polished

as some of the other choirs, but they're saying makes me happy and it

warms my heart. -- they're singing it makes me happy.

Where is that trophy going tonight? Well, if I had to put money on it, I

would say it was heading to the United States of America. The winner

of Choir of the World 2016 is the Bob Cole Conservatory Choir from

USA! CHEERING.

Well, what a week and what a night for the Bob Cole Conservatory Choir!

Congratulations to all the performers who performed throughout

this event. And as the 70th Llangollen musical Eisteddfod draws

to a close, we will remember it as a cultural feast and full of happy

memories. From all of us, goodbye from Llangollen.

It's officially summer - and in the run-up to this year's

Royal Welsh agricultural extravaganza next week,

It's officially summer - and in the run-up to this year's

Royal Welsh agricultural extravaganza next week,

get an insight into what makes the show so special -

from the determination of the competitors

to the dedication of the showground organisers.

That's all in the Royal Welsh Preview, with me, Nigel Owens.

Dip into a summer of amazing live music,