Opera singer Bryn Terfel goes back to his roots to film Pavarotti show
Opera singer Bryn Terfel has paid a visit to Llangollen to film a new TV show and retrace the footsteps of legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
The bass-baritone was in the town to record a programme for Welsh language channel S4C just a few weeks before he is due to return for a concert as part of this year's 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Bryn Terfel's Journey: Land of Song includes an interview with Eisteddfod stalwarts Gethin Davies and his wife, Eulanwy, particularly about their memories of Pavarotti. The tenor sang at the Eisteddfod in 1955 as a 19-year-old member of the Chorus Rossini, from Modena, and returned to give a concert 40 years later as a global superstar.
Terfel said he had also been to Llangollen as a competitor.
"I am surprised I only came here once," he said. "I've been here many times since and we did Sweeney Todd here two years ago and this year I'm here again with the wonderful Maltese tenor, Jospeh Calleja."
He also interviewed current Eisteddfod chairman Rhys Davies about this year's festival, which runs from July 5-10, and sang My Little Welsh Home for the programme which is being broadcast at the end of July.
Mr Davies said: "It was great to see Bryn in Llangollen again. It's almost a second home for him and he clearly enjoys coming here and we love having him.
"He's part of a fantastic line up at this year's festival which also includes another Welsh singing great in Katherine Jenkins, as well as Jools Holland."
In a change to this year's scheduling Friday will be the day of the popular Llangollen Eisteddfod parade of nations, switched from Tuesday in anticipation of bigger crowds and more competitors.
