One World brings a message of hope to Llangollen

* Sir Karl Jenkins One World was the perfect way to start the Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2026. 

There are concerts that entertain, there are concerts that inspire, and then there are concerts that become moments in history. 

Sir Karl Jenkins' long-awaited Uniting Nations: One World opening concert at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was undoubtedly the latter.

 

Following the heartbreaking postponement of last year's performance, there was an unmistakable sense of anticipation inside a busy Pavilion as audiences finally witnessed the concert they had waited more than a year to experience. 

Thanks to the generous support of Arts Council of Wales and the James Pantyfedwen Foundation, that wait proved more than worthwhile.

 

The evening began with the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly-commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler. 

Warmly received by the audience, the stirring new composition earned Sam rapturous applause and marked a fitting opening to another Eisteddfod celebrating new musical talent.

 

Following the premiere, Artistic Director Dave Danford formally declared the 2026 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod open, welcoming audiences from near and far to a festival built on music, peace and international friendship.

 

The opening half also featured a moving performance of Peace Child: The Musical, conducted by Anthony Gabriele. Placing young people at the heart of a story about peace, understanding and hope, the production was brought vividly to life by an outstanding cast, including Shea Ferron, a member of Johns' Boys, a long-standing Eisteddfod volunteer and one of the festival's own - whose performance was warmly received by the audience.

 

Following the interval, Sir Karl Jenkins, this year's President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, stepped onto the podium to conduct One World. 

Greeted with warm and heartfelt applause, he led an international massed chorus comprising WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra, in a performance that was both musically thrilling and deeply moving.

 

At its heart, One World explores conflict, climate change, political division, truth, human rights and ultimately hope, taking the audience on a remarkable emotional journey from darkness to light.

 

The outstanding soloists brought Jenkins' powerful score vividly to life. Soprano Shimona Rose and mezzo-soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies delivered performances of exceptional beauty and sensitivity, while baritone Njabulo Madlala sang with warmth, authority and conviction.

Celebrated session player and multi-instrumentalist Zands Duggan, who frequently performs and records alongside Sir Karl Jenkins, was outstanding on percussion, providing colour, drama and energy throughout the performance.

 

From the dramatic opening depiction of creation in In the Beginning to the rhythmic drive of Let's Go! the multilingual optimism of Unus Mundus, the haunting beauty of Ad Pacem and the deeply reflective Tikkun Olam, Sir Karl's music demonstrated why he remains one of the world's most celebrated living composers.

 

The final movements offered a powerful sense of optimism. Sakura - Spring Has Come symbolised renewal before The Golden Age Begins Anew brought the work to a triumphant conclusion, leaving audiences with an enduring message that peace, equality and hope remain ideals worth striving for.

 

However, one of the evening's most unforgettable moments came at the close of the concert.

 

Following an extended standing ovation, the audience was treated to a moving encore of Benedictus, the hauntingly beautiful penultimate movement from Sir Karl Jenkins' much-loved anti-war masterpiece, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. 

Its soaring opening melody filled the Pavilion, played by the outstanding Cellist Beatrice Newman, and the audience responded with prolonged, rapturous applause, bringing an emotional and fitting conclusion to an unforgettable opening night.

 

For many in the audience, the evening was about much more than music. It was a celebration of resilience following last year's postponement, a tribute to everyone who worked tirelessly to bring the concert back, and a reminder of the founding ideals of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - that music has the power to unite people across cultures, nations and generations. 

The festival also expressed its sincere gratitude to Arts Council of Wales and the James Pantyfedwen Foundation, whose generous support made the return of this landmark concert possible.

 

As Sir Karl Jenkins begins his year as President of the Eisteddfod, Uniting Nations: One World will surely be remembered as one of the defining opening concerts in the festival's history. 

In a world too often divided, Llangollen once again demonstrated that music remains one of humanity's most powerful languages of peace, hope and international friendship.

 

The Eisteddfod continues throughout the week with a packed programme of competitions, concerts and cultural celebrations.

Highlights include Global Rhythms: Made in Wales, the Orchestral Qawwali Project, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, An Evening with Michael Ball, the colourful Parade of Nations, and the prestigious Choir of the World competition, alongside hundreds of performances from visiting groups representing countries from across the globe.

 

* For the full programme, latest results and tickets, visit llangollen.net.

* Anthony Gabriele, known as The Maestro, conducted the first half of the concert including the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn.

* The audience at the Eisteddfod were in raptures on its opening night.