(Stephen Cain Photography) The North Wales International Music Festival this year celebrated its 50th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, commissioned a new opera from composer Paul Mealor and librettist Grahame Davies. Together they decided to base their opera on the tale of King Llewelyn’s faithful hound, Gelert, a legend known to even the youngest of Welsh schoolchildren. The subject {…}
(Photo: Stephen Cain Photography) This year’s North Wales International Music Festival presented the world premiere of “Gelert,” a work labelled as a “community opera” by its composer, Paul Mealor, and librettist, Grahame Davies. By deliberately labelling a work in this manner, it is inevitable that the curious among the audience will want to know its significance. What does “community opera” {…}
On September 24, 2022, the North Wales International Music Festival will present the world premiere of “Gelert,” a new opera by royal composer Paul Mealor and eminent poet Dr. Grahame Davies, based on one of Wales best known legends. The premiere will be held at St. Asaph Cathedral, and features soloists Trystan Lewis, Dafydd Jones, and Lisa Dafydd; as well {…}