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North Wales Chronicle
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales singer to perform with world famous tenor
Branwen Medi Jones, 18, from Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, will take to the stage alongside Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, September 11. Mr Calleja, whose voice has drawn comparisons to Luciano Pavarotti, has performed at leading opera houses worldwide, including the New York Met, La Scala in Milan, and London's Covent Garden. Ms Jones said: "The festival's artistic director, Paul Mealor, contacted me about singing in the concert and it was an easy invitation to accept. "The cathedral has wonderful acoustics and it is one of the very best places to sing. "I've been fortunate to sing in the cathedral several times already but this one will be the biggest yet. "Joseph Calleja is one of the top singers in the world and I'm really looking forward to the concert." The opportunity to bring Mr Calleja to St Asaph arose through his friendship with Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, owners of the Pendine Park care organisation and headline sponsors of the festival. Mr Kreft said: "I'm really looking forward to the concert. "Joseph Callejo is probably the world's greatest tenor and he is just getting better and better. "To bring him to St Asaph for the very first time is amazing and to team him up with one of the finest young singers in North Wales is inspired. "It's a concert not to be missed." Ms Jones was a finalist in last year's Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition and is coached by Ann Atkinson, former festival director. She will perform both a solo and a duet during the concert. Paul Mealor, the festival's artistic director, said: "One of the festival's main aims is to bring the world's best musicians to North Wales so that audiences don't have to travel to enjoy their performances. "On the other hand, we aim to promote the very best of our own talented musicians and Branwen fits right in our ambition. "She has a very fine voice and it is sure to be a fantastic experience for her." The festival, held at St Asaph Cathedral, will also feature performances by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, vocal ensemble Apollo5, and the Black Dyke Band. Debbie Wiseman OBE, the acclaimed film and TV composer, will make her festival debut with the NEW Sinfonia orchestra performing a selection of her most well-known scores. More information and tickets are available at
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Opera star to perform at North Wales International Festival
Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, described as "probably the world's greatest tenor," will perform at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral on Thursday, September 11. Mr Calleja, whose voice has drawn comparisons to the late Luciano Pavarotti, is a regular at the world's top opera houses, including the New York Met, La Scala in Milan, and Covent Garden in London. Paul Mealor, the festival's artistic director, said: "I would say that Joseph Calleja is probably the world's greatest tenor – he has done everything. "Joseph has performed in all the top venues and all the major opera houses, from the Met in New York and La Scala in Milan – and he is just getting better and better. "To bring him to St Asaph for the very first time is amazing for us. "It's simply the highlight of the festival." Mr Calleja's appearance was secured thanks to his friendship with Mario and Gill Kreft, owners of the Pendine Park care organisation and headline sponsors of the festival. The couple are long-time supporters of the event through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, which funds cultural and community activities across Wales. Joseph Calleja said: "I have very many fond memories of Wales, including Llangollen with Bryn a few years ago. "He is Wales's greatest son and I love him a lot. "I can't wait to come back frankly because I am also good friends with Mario and Gill and I know it is a special year for them because Pendine is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. "At the concert I'll be singing some popular songs, so it'll be an easy going night. "We're not going to go too serious but it's serious enough that opera lovers will enjoy." Mario Kreft said: "Joseph is a generational operatic talent who is right at the top of his game, as is our own homegrown hero, Sir Bryn Terfel. "The acoustic at the cathedral is among the best in the world so it will provide a perfect backdrop to hear Joseph's magnificent tenor voice at its very best." Other headliners at this year's festival include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, choral group Apollo5, and the Black Dyke Band. Film and TV composer Debbie Wiseman OBE will also make her festival debut, with the NEW Sinfonia orchestra performing a selection of her well-known theme tunes. The festival will also feature the second Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, funded by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust. More information and tickets are available online.
