Ah, Wales. Country of choirs. Land of lyrical bards and music. Home of hymns and the birthplace of Dame Shirley and Sir Tom, Katherine Jenkins, Aled Jones and Stereophonics. The hills are alive….wait, wrong place, but there are mountains, too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know already, but it’s true! Where better to have a celebration of song? Will those Welsh wonders be in attendance? Er, no, but early punk phenomenon of the pioneering band the Velvet Underground , John Cale will be, along with operatic master Bryn Terfel, Llandaff’s own voice of an angel, Charlotte Church and Green Gartside aka Scritti Politti. And you don’t even have to be Welsh because the legendary, storied Sir Van Morrison is headlining, also, at Cardiff’s inaugural Festival Of Voice. Anna Calvi, John Grant, Gwenno, Femi Kuti, Hugh Masekela, Laura Mvula, Ronnie Spector, Candi Staton and Rufus Wainwright are just some of the other powerhouse performers in the line-up.
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The festival will be joining the revered National Eisteddfod, along with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Brecon Jazz Festival, Swn, Festival No 6 and Greenman as the place to be to hear astounding sounds. Running for 10 days, from 3-12 June, this new, international showcase will feature local, national and global talent from five continents. Scattered throughout, venues will include all the splendid city go-tos – Wales Millennium Centre, Chapter Arts, New Theatre, Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Sherman Cymru and St David’s Hall. Other spaces to see the over 50 events on offer are Llandaff Cathedral, Tramshed, the Gate, the Globe and even an apartment in Penarth. No, that’s not a mistake. Did you know there’s also a hall in the National Museum (Reardon Smith Theatre)?
Brainchild of Graeme Farrow who wears two hats as Festival Of Voice’s director and Artistic Director of WMC and who said he wants to take the tradition of Wales’ pride in singing as far forward as they could and to invite the world to come sing and “to share emotion through the purest form of human and artistic expression.” He also said the festival “has been created to celebrate Wales’ timeless connection with song and the positive effects singing together can have on peoples’ wellbeing, whether participating or listening and observing.
“Until now, there hasn’t been a festival in the UK that focuses purely on ‘the voice’ as something that transcends culture and language. It’s primal; it brings us together whether we’re happy or melancholy, and we have created the festival as a way of bottling that pure emotion. When you hear a great voice you project emotion onto what can be a deeply personal and intimate experience – this is somehow different from an instrumental performance, as we assume that what we hear is part of the performer, coming deep from within.
“The Festival Of Voice celebrates the voice and singing in all of its glory across all genres, and that is what makes it unique. On the front of [WMC] , we have an inscription which says, ‘In these stones horizons sing,’ and we wanted to take that word out of the building right across the horizon and across the sea to reaffirm this accolade as a land of song. It’s the most direct form of artistic expression, and it cuts across every culture that we know.”
Because something on this scale would be too difficult to prepare and arrange every year – especially with artists creating new and commissioned pieces – and so it doesn’t coincide with the Cardiff Singer Of The World competition, FOV will be biennial. FOV is produced and curated by WMC in collaboration with Serious, Welsh National Opera, National Theatre Wales, Artes Mundi and others in Cardiff. It’s supported by The Colwinston Trust, Arts Council Wales, Cardiff City Council, National Lottery and private donations.
Like 2015’s Diffusion, Cardiff’s International Festival Of Photography, this event will bring thousands to the capital. And like Diffusion, FOV will be very hands on with around 15,000 participants joining in on everything vox-related across 78 performances. The public will have a cornucopia of riches to sample that includes opera, choral, musical theatre, rock, pop, gospel, soul, jazz, experimental, anything goes, even song mixed with dance and sign language. Here’s just a flavour of the symphony of sound to look forward to:
VAN MORRISON AND BRYN TERFEL
Sir Van Morrison, the man who created ‘Celtic soul’ will be bringing that brand along with his skills as a singer, composer and musician. He’ll be joined by Bryn Terfel for some unique encore duets. A one-time pairing of Irish and Welsh giants not to be missed! On another night, bass-baritone Terfel will be headlining a trio of special guests performing arias, along with other favourites. A recipient of Her Majesty the Queen’s Medal for Music, he’s a superstar with a voice that reaches the heavens.
JOHN CALE OBE
He probably doesn’t like to be referred to as a legend but… A founding member, along with Lou Reed, of that ground-breaking NYC group, the classically-trained, all-around genius Welshman will team with the FOV Ensemble & Chorus for bespoke arrangements and other surprises. Opening for him will be National Eisteddfod and Welsh Music Prize winner Gwenno, who sings in both Welsh and Cornish.
LAURA MVULA
Just coming off of a collaboration with Nile Rodgers, this double-MOBO award-winner and smooth singer-songwriter – who’s also received Mercury, Ivor Novello and Brit Award nominations – is hot, hot, hot. Get caught up in her flame.
THE LAST MERMAID
This production inspired by The Little Mermaid story stars Charlotte Church (who’s a co-creator with Jonathan Powell and Sion Trefor) and deals with threats to our oceans and other themes, using music, movement, light and voice. This specially-commissioned piece is having its world premiere and is for adults and children alike.
RONNIE SPECTOR SINGS THE RONETTES
Spector, who was lead-singer of the seminal girl groups of the 60s, The Ronettes, is in the Rock & Roll AND Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. Don’t mess with rock’s original bad girl who rose to fame with such hits as Be My Baby and Walking In The Rain. The Rolling Stones opened for them on tour. How cool is that?
BEFORE I LEAVE
This inspiring work is based on the people of Merthyr living with dementia and Alzheimer’s who come together in a choir. Written by Patrick Jones and directed by Matthew Dunster, this National Theatre Wales’ (along with WMC) production features famous covers and also new music by Manic Street Preacher members.
LA VOIX HUMAINE
Another commissioned production for FOV (co-produced by Welsh National Opera and WMC) is director David Pountney’s spin on the 20th century opera classic. Watching soprano Claire Booth have a break-up breakdown on the phone won’t be pretty, but like a car-crash, you won’t be able to tear your eyes (or ears) away.
Space doesn’t permit a full-listing, but here’s more to take in at FOV: Male vocalists: John Grant – Overcoming personal problems, he lays it out there in an emotive voice. Green Gartside aka Scritti Politti – The Cardiff-born wiz and author of two of the most luscious songs – Perfect Way and The Sweetest Girl– is back, with the unique Meilyr Jones. Rufus Wainwright – Continuing to spread folk’s tradition. Sweet songstresses: Anna Calvi – And she plays a mean guitar. Candy Stanton – Americana diva is in the house. Hallelujah! Flavia Coelho – Let’s live the good life and samba! Afro Beats: Come and imagine you’re Grazin’ In The Grass with iconic trumpeter, Hugh Masekela and friends and get energised and informed while grooving’ with Femi Kuti + Mbongwana Star. Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares: Saw this ensemble back in the 80s when they shot to global fame. What they do with their voices you won’t believe.
Slowly Rolling Camera: Local soul/jazz/trip hop/electro quartet who brought down the house at the Butetown Festival last summer. Get the groove in your heart.
words RHONDA LEE REALI