Welcome Back Welsh

JULY can mean only thing at St David’s Hall and that is the return of the Welsh Proms! Now in its 35th season, the Welsh Proms’ is one of the biggest cultural events in Wales’ cultural calendar and it makes its eagerly awaited comeback following a two-year absence due to the pandemic starting with the Masterpieces Prom (Sat 9 July). Conductor, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE starts a week-long series of concerts to celebrate his 80th birthday as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and pianist Llŷr Williams perform the greatest works by the world’s foremost composers including Wagner, Delius, Grieg and Elgar. If you’re looking to introduce your little ones to the thrill of classical music, then the Tiddly Prom (Sat 9 - Sat 16 July) is the perfect way to do so! There are six interactive performances of Bert’s Magical Musical Farmyard throughout the week for under 5s including lots of silly songs and storytelling. Plus, children of all ages will love the Family Prom (Sun 10 July) as conductor Michael Bell MBE and presenter Mike Church are joined by Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra for A Walk on the Wild Side with selections from Peter and the Wolf, The Lion King, Jurassic Park and The Carnival of the Animals. The following day sees the return of the Organ Prom (Mon 11 July) with a lunchtime concert by Thomas Trotter featuring the likes of J.S. Bach and Eric Coates, while that evening there’s the Folk Prom (Mon 11 July) as The Unthanks showcase their new album Sorrows Away. Cardiff’s very own Capital City Jazz Orchestra are joined by special guest vocalist Joe Stilgoe for the Jazz Prom (Tues 12 July), and hot on its heels comes the ever popular Brass & Voices Prom (Weds 13 July). Renowned Welsh opera singer Beverley Humphreys presents and evening of exhilarating music including Cwm Rhondda performed by The Cory Band and the Welsh Proms Massed Choir. Next up is perhaps the most talented, young family in classical music as all seven siblings share the same stage in the Kanneh-Mason Prom (Thurs 14 July) to perform classics from Schubert to Shostakovich. No Proms season would be complete without some of the most memorable movie music of all time either. Presented by BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards, the Welsh National Opera Orchestra take us on a journey through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with highlights such as Star Wars, E.T, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gone with the Wind and Gladiator. Owain Arwel Hughes then brings down the curtain with the Last Night of the Welsh Proms (Sat 16 July) as the Welsh National Opera Orchestra perform a rousing repertoire including Swan Lake and Pomp & Circumstance - this is an epic finale not to be missed!