Machynlleth-born composer brings historic Welsh protest to Powys stage
Gareth Glyn’s new opera about the 1936 Penyberth protest comes to Brecon in November
A Machynlleth-born composer is bringing a pivotal moment in Welsh history to the stage in Powys as part of a new opera tour.
Gareth Glyn's Fflamau Penyberth (The Flames of Penyberth) commemorates the 90th anniversary of the 1936 arson attack at RAF Penrhos near Pwllheli and will be performed at Theatr Brycheiniog in Brecon on November 28.
Gareth, who was born in Machynlleth, raised in Mold and has lived on Anglesey for almost 50 years, said he felt the weight of Welsh history on his shoulders while creating the work.
The opera, commissioned by OPRA Cymru, tells the story of Welsh nationalists Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine and D J Williams, who set fire to buildings at the RAF base in protest against plans to destroy the historic Penyberth farmhouse.
"It commemorates a hugely significant event in Welsh history and I felt a great responsibility to get it right and I hope my score does justice to this seminal moment," said Gareth.
The three-act opera begins with one of the men in a prison cell, with the story unfolding through a series of flashbacks.
The score features powerful arias and rich harmonies, including a piece in which the three main characters sing together unaccompanied.
Gareth said the casting had also been carefully considered, with the singers chosen to reflect the voices and backgrounds of the three men.
"Saunders Lewis had a high-pitched voice so he lends himself to the tenor range while the other two are portrayed by baritones," he said.
"Similarly the singers are approximately from the same areas of Wales as the three men so they sing in the same local accent and I think that is very important."
The leading roles are performed by tenor Robyn Lyn Evans and baritones Emyr Wyn Jones and Robin Gruffudd Hughes, supported by a cast of six others and a chorus.
The opera's libretto was written by OPRA Cymru founder Patrick Young, from Llan Ffestiniog, in conjunction with author and historian Arwel Vittle, from Caernarfon.
Fflamau Penyberth is Gareth's fourth opera and his third work for OPRA Cymru.
It will be premiered at Neuadd Dwyfor in Pwllheli on November 19 before touring Wales, including performances in Rhosllannerchrugog, Bangor, Swansea, Barry, Brecon and Aberystwyth.
The tour will return to Pwllheli for its final performance on December 5.
More information and tickets are available through OPRA Cymru and the individual theatre box offices.