Risca Male Choir

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Risca Male Choir - Blog #26

Geoff Harper

We are into a new month, but this month is different to most of the other months we have faced recently. This month, we have 3 performances in the space of just over a week! This includes a performance at Risca Park on June the 5th, Moriah Church on the 10th and at Tiny Rebel on the 14th. We have been so busy getting our repertoire up to scratch and the guys have worked so hard to get it all in place. Even with some members missing due to illness, injuries or holidays, the progress we have made has been nothing short of spectacular. I can’t wait to share our hard work in these upcoming events.

We also have more concerts coming up in the future, including a big one on August the 6th, so keep that date in your diaries. If you want to know more about these events, then please visit our events section of the website to find out more information.

Welsh Musicians of the Month - Cerddorion Cymreig y Mis

Dame Gwyneth Jones DBE (1936-present)

  • Born in Pontnewynydd, she worked as a secretary at Pontypool foundry.

  • Jones came to prominence in 1964 when she stood in for Leontyne Price as Leonora in Verdi's Il trovatore at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

  • Developed her career mostly focusing on Wagnerian roles. These include 7 different roles at Bayreuth Festival.

  • President of the Wagner Society of Great Britain since 1990.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0igxq8stQ (skip to around 1:30 to hear her.)

Super Furry Animals (1993-2016)

  • Past members: Gruff Rhys, Huw Bunford, Guto Pryce, Cian Ciaran, Dafydd Ieuan and Rhys Ifans (yes, the actor!!).

  • They’re a bit crazy and a PR nightmare… they went to Colombia to film a music video for Demons, and ended up in a jungle the size of Wales, full of warring militia factions.

  • One of their albums is designed to withstand space travel! Out Spaced was released in a hard rubber case that is scientifically proven to withstand re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

  • They released the world’s first Welsh Language album ever to go top 20.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmCZ4f8NhOk