Review: Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, the Royal harpist Claire Jones and rising opera star, Noah Stewart brought three different genres to the stage.

And it was Stewart, with his good looks and dazzling style who received the loudest applause.

Dame Evelyn opened the concert when, accompanied by the Eisteddfod's own orchestra, she showed us her talents as a percussionist. From marimba to glockenspiel, bongos to cow bells and even something that looked like a handleless saucepan Scot showed that her severe hearing impairment was no handicap to making music.

But for me it was her second half performance that shone. She took a simple snare drum and made it come alive with drumsticks that appeared bewitched.

The sticks flew through the air like duelling wands to the amazement of the audience and the members of the orchestra.

Another enchantment was in the form of Royal harpist, Claire Jones, who made her golden harp almost sing.

She returned to the stage again and again with classical pieces including Poems, played at the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and part of her own love story, a new composition, Heart Strings, written for her by fiancée and percussionist with the orchestra last night, Chris Marshall.There was also a wonderful rendition of Men of Harlech without the orchestra.

As for enchanting the audience, that was left to the American tenor, Noah Stewart.

The 33-year-old had a difficult upbringing , brought up by his mum in Harlem.

He told the audience that he was delighted to be at the Eisteddfod.

He sang pieces from several Italian operas. But it was when he joined forces with Claire Jones for a rendition of the Welsh favourite, Calon Lan, in Welsh that their came a standing ovation, followed by a second for his encore, what else but Nessun Dorma, sang by Pavoritti when he stood on the same stage in 1995, 40 years after his first visit when his choir won the choir of the world title.

Sue Austin