Erin Rossington to perform at Wales Int'l Piano Festival

The soprano, who hails from Llanfair Talhaiarn in Conwy, will perform on the opening night at Bangor University's Neuadd Powis.

The night, which begins at 7.45pm on Thursday, October 16, will also feature the talents of world-renowned pianist Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, violinist Sara Trickey, and cellist Rosie Biss.

Ms Rossington said: "I'm really looking forward to being part of the concert.

"I’ll be singing pieces that are new to me — I haven’t sung anything by Cécile Chaminade before."

Currently engaged with the English National Opera for its London production of Carmen, Ms Rossington will perform an aria from the opera on the night.

She said: "With English National Opera, I’ll be covering the role of Micaela from Carmen, which I sang at Buxton last year, so I’ll be singing one of the arias from the opera on the night, and that’ll be lovely."

The concert promises to be a treat for music lovers, featuring piano trios by Gabriel Fauré and Maurice Ravel, alongside art songs and operatic arias by Pauline Viardot, Cécile Chaminade, and Georges Bizet.

Iwan Llewelyn-Jones, the Wales International Piano Festival's artistic director, said: "For the first time one of our concerts is being staged at Bangor University's iconic Neuadd Powis and it's magnificent Steinway piano. It was acquired three or four years ago and it really is a very special instrument."

The festival will continue at Galeri Caernarfon, with the second day dedicated to a community-themed day focused on popular music.

This includes the festival commission and education project Madam Wen, which features Côr Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern, Dewi Elis Jones on percussion, pianists Elain Rhys Jones and Angharad Wyn Jones, and soprano Glesni Rhys Jones.

The remaining days of the festival will host competitions for pianists under 18, those over 18 but under 26, and an accompanists prize open to all ages.

There will also be workshops and masterclasses planned, with a solo concert by jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock on the Saturday evening.

Mr Llewelyn-Jones said: "The audience will have an opportunity way to hear some beautiful compositions by 19th century French composers and we’re very lucky to be able to call on the talents of Sara Trickey, who hails from Cardiff and works regularly with Rosie Biss, who is the principal cellist with Welsh National Opera’s orchestra."

The festival has been made possible with help from funders, including Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn, Tŷ Cerdd, Colwinston Trust, Vaughan Williams Foundation, The Foyle Foundation, and many individual and business sponsors.