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Bassey show 'a wish come true'
Topic Started: Aug 28 2006, 08:31 PM (105 Views)
JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
Bassey show 'a wish come true'Aug 28 2006


Karen Price, Western Mail


One of Bryn Terfel's long-term ambitions came true last night when Dame Shirley Bassey finally performed at his Faenol Festival.

The Welsh diva was greeted by huge cheers as she walked onto the stage at the Faenol Estate, near Bangor. Terfel's festival is now in its seventh year and he has been hoping for fellow Welsh stars Dame Shirley and Sir Tom Jones to put in appearances since he launched 'Brynfest'.

While Sir Tom has yet to find a window in his diary, Dame Shirley did not disappoint when she set foot in North Wales last night.

'At last my one big wish, to welcome Dame Shirley Bassey to Faenol, comes true,' said a delighted Terfel.

Dame Shirley's performance of her greatest hits was the third concert in this year's festival, which was opened with a sellout gig on Friday by Irish band Westlife.


But for fans of Terfel who travel to the festival from across the world, Saturday was the most important night. For that's when the main man himself took to the stage with soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Rolando Villazon.


Terfel had promised it would be the festival's best opera gala yet and, according to his loyal fans and the critics, he more than lived up to his words. The programme was essentially a nod to composers Verdi, Puccini, Gershwin and Bizet.


The show opened with Welsh National Opera's orchestra, conducted by Gareth Jones, performing Verdi's overture I Vespri Siciliani. From the gentle opening through to the rousing finish, it was the perfect piece for the world-renowned orchestra to showcase its talents.


First onto the stage was Romanian opera diva Gheorghiu, who recently played the title role in Tosca opposite Terfel at the Royal Opera House in Convent Garden. Looking every inch the glamorous star in her 60s-style black and white knee-length dress and white coat, she delighted fans with Catalani's Ebben Ne Andro.


It was straight into the Verdi collection with WNO's chorus, surely one of the best operatic choruses in the world performing the powerful Anvil Chorus.


Next up was Mexican tenor Villazon. He instantly won over local fans by speaking in Welsh, telling us he was happy to be at Faenol - and, by the end of the night, we were very happy he had accepted his invitation.


At just 34, Villazon is already an amazing talent and he certainly brings comedy to his fine performances. One of the highlights was his duet with the glamorous Gheorghiu. As they performed Donizetti's Quanto Amore he had the crowds captivated as he pulled faces, juggled three oranges and yet still managed to hit the notes with ease.


When Terfel finally arrived on stage, his fans erupted and waved their flags with pride. The programme featured much of Terfel's most recent work. Those who missed him playing Scarpia in Convent Garden in June were given a snapshot of what they missed with his brilliant rendition of Te Deum from Tosca. He looked menacing as he sang the dramatic Puccini piece supported by the WNO chorus.


While the first half surpassed our expectations, the second half was simply awesome.


There was a selection from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess before some blistering rendition's from Carmen. Another highlight was Terfel's and Villazon's duet from The Pearl Fishers.


The evening concluded fittingly with the Welsh national anthem and, as the singing ended and the fireworks began, the first drops of rain came down - just like the performances, it was perfectly timed.


The Faenol Festival will close tonight with its annual showcase of Welsh-language bands.


For a full review of Dame Shirley Bassey, don't miss tomorrow's Western Mail.


source: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/02...-name_page.html
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