I’ve got four days off work in a row which is great because I’ve got to finalise my preparations for The Llangollen International Eisteddfod Classical Gala on the 2nd July at 19:30. I’ve been offered the wonderful opportunity to be part of a Classical Gala with French/Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón as part of my prize for winning the Pendine Voice of the Future competition last July.
Rolando is one of the leading tenors of our day he is frequently seen in Europe’s leading opera houses and sings with orchestras and opera houses all around the World.
Good news if you’re in the North West of England you don’t have to go to London to the Royal Opera House to hear Rolando he is coming to Llangollen in North Wales for the first time, Llangollen is one hour’s drive from Liverpool, 45 minutes from Chester (one hour by train), one and a half hours for my friends and family from Manchester and Stoke on Trent they’re staying overnight in some of the lovely bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels in Llangollen, I told them they could even glamp this year.
We will be accompanied in the Gala by the British Sinfonietta under the baton of British conductor James Hendry. James joined the prestigious ‘Jette Parker Young Artists Programme’ for emerging talent at London’s Royal Opera House in 2016. Hendry promises his Tuesday night concert to be an ‘opera pick and mix’, offering guests an exclusive repertoire through opera, classical and even musical theatre. He adds, “It will be a passionate performance that offers an inspiring tour for opera fans and newcomers alike.”
“In recent years the orchestra has performed extensively in England, Scotland and Wales as well as visiting Western Europe. Highlights include the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs at a sold-out Royal Albert Hall in London, a performance of Berlioz’ Requiem at Cheltenham Festival, screenings of Casablanca at the Royal Opera House in London, screenings of Home Alone in Denmark, and the televised world premiere of ‘Adiemus Colores’ by Sir Karl Jenkins at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2014. “
I wish that you could all be there with me, got my dress ready, got my shoes, feeling prepared, can’t wait to get started.
Enjoy yourself, as I am certain you shall!
I’m getting very excited about this concert now Annette, I’m picking up my dress tomorrow on my day off and practising the arias.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Make the most of your time off, I foresee very little of it for a talented young singer.
Thanks Martin i did take time to meet up with some good friends from my time in University but I’ve got so much to learn in preparation for summer opera I’m trying to get ahead. A couple of new duets too for Llangollen too.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Congratualtions, Charlotte. Best wishes
Thanks John, it’s not far away now until the gala, I’ve tomorrow off so i’ll Be practicing my arias.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I hope your practice went well.
Yes it did thanks John, a bit tiring because the arias are all top of my range 😲
Not a good place to over do it either.
Wow, what a result to sing with Rolandro. Enjoy and own that stage.
I hope the duets go ahead I’ve learnt them now and i’ll Be practicing again tomorrow. It’s quite close to the concert now.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
That was a very nice winning prize. Llangollen International Eisteddfod looks fantastic from the outside. It is modern and very interesting to see what it looks like from the inside. Have a great time with your performing!
Thank you I’m looking forward to performing now, picking my new dress up tomorrow and will be practising.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Very cool. A great opportunity.
It’s only a week on Tuesday now, very exciting. Wish you could be there Trent.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I wish I could as well. We need to find a way to sing in Boston 😉
Enjoy your four days off, Charlotte! How exciting to sing with Rolando!
I loved preparing for the Llangollen concert, I’m picking up my dress tomorrow I hope they’ve turned it up right 🤗 yay.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I hope the dress is as it should be too. Best wishes. 🙂
Congratulations. That’s fantastic to get the opportunity to sing with Rolando. Nice summary video of Rolando, also. When he said “You grab the music from the air.” in the end of the video, reminded me of my flamenco days. Some guitarists believe that Bulerías is always in the air. When one plays Bulerías there is never a start or a finish, you simply grab it out of the air, play it then release it again.
Thanks Timothy, it’s only a week on Tuesday away now. I’m getting excited, really honoured to be in this gala. I hope the air is good for me on the night 🎶. Thank you for sharing Bulerías.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I’ll be sending you good vibes for good air and a great performance.
Wow, great, super, bravo ! I have see Rolando Villazon on tv last year, very interesting and kind man ! wish you the best , meilleurs pensées pour Toi !!!
Merci beaucoup Pascal. He took French citizenship. I’m excited to meet Rolando and Rhian I saw her in the opera my singing teacher was in last year in Liverpool.
I hope you are well and looking forward to summer.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
I wish you could see how broadly I’m smiling. I am so happy for you!!
😀 I love thinking of you smiling. I’m happy to have this opportunity, pinching myself.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Most impressing! Amazing! Fantastico! :))))
Thanks you Eberhard 😀.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Dear Charlotte,
I know that you will win the Classical Gala, and I am still looking forward to your performing at the Houston Opera. God bless you my Beloved.
Well that’s the nice thing about the gala Rev.Tim I’m not in the competition this year, this is part of my prize for winning last year. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
What a wonderful opportunity, Charlotte! You do keep busy and given the competition in your profession, you must feel you have achieved a major point in your life where work is given to you based on your accomplishments. Brava!!
Thanks for your lovely encouragement Beth, it is a very competitive profession which I try to put to the back of my mind. I don’t like to dwell on things I can’t control. You reminded me to enjoy the present of opportunity and abundance of performance I am involved in. Sometimes I get swamped up in little improvements required for my technical singing and forget that I got the job because my main technique is solid.
Today I get to be a fairy 🧚♀️, a Pappagena, and a Scottish puffin such fun and hopefully put a smile in peoples hearts 💕.
All my best wishes,
Charlotte
Have a great time Charlotte. You will do well……..
Thank you for your support Darlene,
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Music soothes like none other. You have done a great job. 💐
Thank you 🙏
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Can’t wait to see you at Llangollen Charlotte. 😘
Hope you enjoyed your holiday 😊. Looking forward to catching up with you both xx
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Golly, Rolando seems to have as much energy as you do during a performance. He seems to really love what he does, which is helpful to be around people like that in your field. Very happy for you. 😀
Yes, he’s wonderfully energetic. It really is exhausting at the end of a performance. I can’t wait to meet him as he always comes across as a warm lovely person.
All my best wishes
Charlotte
Rolando is amazing!
I’m sure this is a wonderful opportunity, and that you are up to the challenge! You go!