On the 9th of June, Chelmsford and District Welsh Society held its annual concert at Christ Church, Chelmsford in the presence of the Mayor, Cllr. David Lee and the Mayoress, Mrs Nicki Lee. A full house was treated to a thrilling evening of music performed by Cor Meibion Dyfnant - Dunvant Male Choir - from the vicinity of Abertawe (Swansea). The choir was formed in 1895, and has travelled the length and breadth of Britain, and toured the USA, Canada, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Brittany giving concerts. They have a very accomplished young Music Director, Jonathan Rogers, and a marvellous young accompanist, Hywel Evans. The guest soloist was Joy Cornock, a young soprano from Abergwaun (Fishguard), a member of the Welsh National Youth Opera and currently in her third year at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Caerdydd (Cardiff). The evening began with the singing of God Save the Queen, followed by the President, Derrick Thomas's welcome speech.
The choir performed a varied programme, including many Welsh favourites which always induce a very patriotic sense of "hiraith" in the exile community! The programme included a premier performance of Cancion De Francisco, written by N. Treharne who was at the concert, a sad song about a young Argentinian sailor who died in Wales in the early 1900s and whose grave he had discovered. This will surely become a favourite of male choirs. Joy's programme allowed her to show the full range of her talent and won her thunderous applause. During the interval, refreshments were served by supporters of "Save the Children Fund". The second half opened with a Civic welcome to the choir and Joy by the Mayor followed by the choir and audience singing the lovely hymn Rachie. It ended with presentations to the Conductor, Accompanist and Soloist, followed by the choir and audience singing the old favourite Unwaith Eto'n Nghymru Annwyl, before raising the roof with the Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Jim Armishaw |
