01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Welshpool: Guilsfield Singers perform at Methodist Church
Guilsfield Singers celebrated Welsh music in a concert at Welshpool Methodist Church.
The performance marked the culmination of a successful period under the leadership of musical director Paul Wardell.
The church was packed with an audience for the concert, titled The Gentle Earth of Wales.
The first half of the programme included Robat Arwyn's Benedictus and Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn, alongside two pieces written for the choir: Ar lan y Mor and Si Hei Lwli Mabi.
Choir member David Thomas read three poems by R.S. Thomas, capturing the essence of farming life and the Welsh countryside.
The first half concluded with the rousing Pantyfedwen.
Mezzo-soprano Samantha Lewis performed The Water Mill and The Last Rose of Summer.
Her expressive use of British Sign Language while singing added to her performance.
Baritone Patrick Larley offered a masterful rendition of Handel's Ombra Mai Fu and Where'er You Walk.
Guest accompanist Heather Howells accompanied the pieces.
The second half began with a performance of Calon Lan by the entire audience.
This was followed by Patrick Larley's Gentle Earth of Wales, a bilingual suite featuring folk songs and Welsh poetry.
Ms Lewis and Mr Larley continued to captivate the audience with their solo performances, interwoven with the choir's versatile contributions and Nicky Dixon's piano accompaniment.
The evening was dedicated to former choir member Jill Turner.
