Jenkins to star in Llangollen Eisteddfod gala showpiece

Mar 25 2010 by Kelly Barker, North Wales Weekly News

OPERA sensation Katherine Jenkins will perform at the opening gala concert of this year’s Llangollen Festival, it has been announced.

The stunner has performed for the Queen, the Pope and the Prime Minister.

Now she is on her way to North Wales to wow audiences on July 5.

“We’re so thrilled that she’s decided to return to Llangollen to sing for us. It’s going to be such a memorable night,” said Mervyn Cousins, executive director of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

He believes the opening gala concert is one of the festival’s most important events, adding: “It creates a kind of keynote for the entire week so it’s vital we get it right.

“Of course, knowing a superstar of Katherine Jenkins’ status has agreed to sing for us means we will be treated to something very special indeed.

“The Llangollen pavilion is going to be buzzing with excitement, as it holds its very first concert since the refurbishment.”

Katherine said: “It’s such a thrill to be back at Llangollen.

“The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is such a unique event because it brings so many people together from all over the world to create a wonderful week of international friendship and harmony – and it all takes place here in Wales.

“It makes me so proud. I can’t wait to step out on that stage once again and be a part of this fantastic festival.”

She added: “There’s always something special about singing in Wales and especially in an International Welsh Eisteddfod. I was lucky enough to have been invited to sing at the National Eisteddfod in 2006 and, of course, in Llangollen International Festival in the same year.

“Now I am truly honoured to be invited back to perform at the Opening Gala Concert for this year’s festival.”

Katherine has sold in excess of four million albums and is the only artist who has held numbers one, two, three and four in the classical album charts simultaneously.

The star, who hails from the small village of Neath in the Valleys, trained at the Royal College of Music.

Tickets for the opening gala concert are now on sale.Visit www.llangollen2010.co.uk or call the ticket office on 01978 862001.