‘This was the best ever’ Terfel – Faenol Festival Daily Post

Music Under the Stars

Pic: Richard Williams

Martine McCutcheon, Claire Sweeney, David Shannon and Bryn Terfel in Music Under the Stars, the final night of the 2002 Faenol Festival. 

By Eryl Crump Daily Post Staff

OPERA superstar Bryn Terfel yesterday said he was delighted with the success of the Faenol Festival – claiming it was the “best so far”.

And the Pantglas-born baritone promised thousands of people who braved mud and rain to attend the three-day festival he would do his utmost to maintain the high standard again next year.

Bryn said: “I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Faenol this year, especially those who braved the first two days. I’m really glad that we had clear skies for a real evening of music under the stars on Sunday evening.”

He added every one of the performers this year had been struck by the warmth of the audiences.

“Without the thousands of people who turn up whatever the weather there wouldn’t be a festival,” he said.

He added: “Renee Fleming, the American soprano, sang superbly on the opening night. It was her first taste of Welsh hospitality and she left for home the following morning entranced by the beautiful scenery of Snowdonia and was really touched by the warmth and appreciation of the audience.

“Tundefinedn y Ddraig on Saturday was the best yet. All those performing had the audience singing and dancing in the mud making it a sort of Glastonbury for adults.

“And the final night was just amazing. It’s great to see people get into the spirit of the festival and leave with smiles on their faces.”

More than 10,000 people shouted for more after top performances from Bryn and former soap actresses Martine McCutcheon and Claire Sweeney and Irish singer David Shannon.

Former EastEnders star Martine closed the show, which was recorded for radio broadcast, belting out a selection of songs from popular musicals.

As an encore Bryn and his special guests gave a poignant performance of Richard Rodgers classic song You’ll Never Walk Alone from the musical Carousel.

Just before they started Bryn presented a Dyfrig the Dragon soft toy – the mascot of Tundefined Gobaith yng Nghymru of which Bryn is patron – to each of the singers to remind everyone the appeal to build a children’s hospice in North Wales was being supported by the festival.

Hope House in Wales chairman, Sarah Kearsey Wooller said collections at the concerts raised more than£3,500.

She added: “As well as the generous contribution of 25p per festival ticket, we were further overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone who attended over the weekend and would like to thank them all. With their support we can ensure that the dream of Tundefined Gobaith yng Nghymru becomes a reality.”

Bryn Terfel said problems associated with the massive operation were slowly being ironed out.

“We take over the Faenol as a green field site each year and it has been a steep learning curve but bit by bit we are getting it right,” he said.

Estate manager Sean Wood said the Faenol was an ideal site for a large-scale event.

Muddy mischief at ‘Welsh Woodstock’ – BBC News Online

The Faenol festival

By Tom Bourton

A muddy north Wales field may not be your first choice of venue for a Saturday night, but it was a recipe for entertainment at the Faenol Festival.

On stage, a procession of Welsh bands provided the soundtrack as a selection of unfortunate inebriates served up a slippery sideshow.

On Sunday, the field dried up for the finale, as Welsh opera star – and festival founder – Bryn Terfel welcomed Martine McCutcheon, Claire Sweeney and David Shannon to the party.

Whoever was performing though, the atmosphere at event, was pretty unique.

Despite the afternoon’s rain, spirits remained high and dry as the bus from Caernarfon struggled up the slopes due to the weight of beer onboard.

At the evening, called Tân y Ddraig  (Dragon’s Fire), Caryl Parry Jones epitomised the revival theme of bands from the 70s and 80s by belting out a string of classic tunes – ending with Chwarae’n Troi’n Chwerw.

And the crowd really began squelching their feet and singing along as the entertaining Y Tebot Piws stole the show with a vintage performance including old favourites Lleucu Llwyd and Mawredd Mawr.

It was about then that the cocktail of mud and alcohol combined to turn some walkways into slideshows for the not-so-sober – as the rest of us tried not to laugh.

Crys and Geraint Jarman completed the night in enthusiastic style, before a mud-encrusted audience slithered off the car park to scramble onto buses home.

Showtime

On Sunday, it was the turn of the showgirls.

A sunny day and a smattering of straw firmed up the ground, and the crowd swelled as dusk approached.

Fresh from his opera show on Friday night, in which he teamed up with soprano Renae Fleming, Bryn Terfel opened the evening and used home advantage to good effect.

The multi-talented Claire Sweeney also stood out, especially with her rendition of All That Jazz from Chicago.

After a solo stint, West End star David Shannon also dueted with both Terfel and Sweeney, before popular ex-Eastender Martine McCutcheon took her bow.

All four shared the last word, and the strains of You’ll Never Walk Alone rebounded from stage to audience and back again.

And as the last notes echoed around the estate, a stunning firework display finished another enjoyable weekend.

Come rain or shine, the Faenol was fine.