The CantoVivo choir from the Luzern area of Switzerland, Trystan Llŷr Griffiths (renowned tenor) and Côr Abergwaun come together to present a versatile and uplifting programme which celebrates the choral music of different cultures. The joy of singing together is a central theme of this concert. Individual items from each nation and the combined voices of the singers highlight the appreciation which the singers have for each other’s choral heritage.

The CantoVivo Choir, is a SATB choir from the Luzern area of Switzerland and is led by Ursin Villiger, (Conductor) and accompanied by Aleksei Kostenko on Piano. This evening’s performance is part of their 2025 Wales tour, which also comprises a performance at Atlantic College (Llantwit Major) and an informal lunchtime concert at St.David’s Cathedral. The CantoVivo Choir was founded in 2014 and thematically developed choir projects are presented in two to four concerts each year. Whether as an independent choir, or in collaboration with other choirs, with or without accompaniment by piano/harp/orchestra and/or soloists, they are the highlights of every choir year.

Trystan Llŷr Griffiths

TRYSTAN LLŶR GRIFFITHS (a local boy from Clunderwen) is coming to Rhosygilen following a return to the Welsh National Opera for role debuts as Rinuccio Gianni Schicchi and Young Lover Il Tabarro. Following this he made his Opera North debut as Tamino in The Magic Flute. Other recent engagements include Don Ottavio Don Giovanni for WNO, Oronte Alcina for Opéra National de Lorraine, Kudryas in Katya Kabanova with Scottish Opera and for Opéra National de Lorraine, Jaquino in concert performances of Fidelio for Garsington Opera, 2 Priest and 1 Armed Man in Die Zauberflöte at Festival d’Aix en Provence and Dutch National Opera. Concert highlights include a concert of music by Leonard Bernstein with the Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest conducted by Alexander Shelley at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Mozart Requiem with the Orchestre Prométhée at Festival de Lacoste, Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall, Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall and a concert with Sir Bryn Terfel and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for Raymond Gubbay at the Royal Festival Hall. He made his BBC Proms debut performing Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music conducted by Sakari Oramo.

Trystan has won numerous awards including the 2nd Prize in the prestigious Paris Opera Competition, and the ‘Voice of Wales’ after a search of over 600 singers. He is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and National Opera Studio. In 2024 he bacame and honorary patron for LARS (Loud Applause Rising Stars) a unique organisation which identifies, nurtures and supports talented young singers across South Wales.

Côr Abergwaun

Côr SATB o ryw 30 o aelodau yw Côr Abergwaun, dan ofal Amanda Lawrence (Arweinydd) a Margaret Rhys yn cyfeilio. Fe’i ffurfiwyd ym Medi 1986, yn barhâd o’r Côr Eisteddfod llwyddiannus, sef Côr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Abergwaun a’r fro 1986. Felly, yn 2026, gyda’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn dychwelyd i Sir Benfro, fe fyddwn yn dathlu 40 mlynedd o fodolaeth. Rydym yn falch i ddweud, felly, ein bod ‘yma a hyd’. Mae’r côr wedi cael nifer o gyfleodd i berfformio mewn amrywiaeth o gyngherddau a nosweithiau, yn lleol ac yn bellach i ffwrdd, gan gynnwys teithiau i Buxton a Dyfnaint. Cawsom gyfle hefyd i berfformio gyda rhai o gantorion disgleiriaf ein gwlad – Syr Geraint Evans yn y dyddiau cynnar, Max Boyce, ac yn fwy diweddar, Rhys Meirion, Steffan Rhys Huws, a Jessica Robinson

Côr Abergwaun is a SATB choir and is led by Amanda Lawrence (Conductor) and accompanied by Margaret Rhys on Piano. Côr Abergwaun was formed in September 1986, as a continuation of the successful Eisteddfod Choir of that year, when the National Eisteddfod of Wales visited Fishguard. In 2026, when the National Eisteddfod returns to Pembrokeshire, Côr  Abergwaun will celebrate 40 years of existence. We are proud to be ‘yma o hyd’ (Still here !). The côr has had many opportunities to perform in a variety of concerts and events, locally and further afield, including trips to Buxton, Derbyshire and Devon. Over the years it has performed with many famous Welsh singers – Sir Geraint Evans in the early days, Max Boyce, and more recently, Rhys Meirion, Steffan Rhys Hughes and Jessica Robinson.

Tickets are £15 and are available from Rhosygilwen