* Tenor Rhys Meirion.
A search has been launched for talented singers
from across Wales who fantasise about performing with the musical idol.
The top tenor Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog,
is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in dazzling duets on
his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr (Singing with My Idol).
Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate
somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV
production company, Cwmni Da, by August 2.
They are looking for nine people, aged from 10
to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which starts filming in the
Autumn.
Rhys also presents Cwmni Da’s successful Corau
Rhys Meirion, coaching community groups across Wales to form mesmerising
choirs.
He said the groundbreaking Sing with Your Idol
series is a tremendous opportunity for currently undiscovered vocal talents to
sing with a star like Welsh pop’s Elin Fflur or Bryn Fรดn.
Those with the most compelling reasons for
wanting to share the spotlight with their music idol will be selected to go
forward to the filming stage during which they will be mentored by Rhys and the
Cwmni Da team and potentially meet up and sing with their musical hero or
heroine.
Producer Siwan Haf said: “We need applications
from hidden singing talents from all around Wales.
“What’s different about this series is that
we’re not setting out to discover wannabe superstars. It’s not focused on fame
but on the human stories behind Wales’s wealth of musical talent.
“Of all the arts music really pulls at the
heartstrings and what we’re looking for is those people with a genuinely
compelling reason for wanting to sing alongside their idol.
“In creating the series it’s our dream to make
their dreams and aspirations come true – not necessarily to further their music
careers but for the emotional fulfilment that being able to sing with their
favourite artiste will bring them.
“It may be that their idol was much loved by a
late mum or dad, for example, and their songs played in the background as they
were growing up. Perhaps this person’s music helped the applicant through
troubled times, or maybe it was the choice for a first dance at a wedding and
one partner now dreams of singing that forever special number for their other
half alongside the original performer.
“There are so many touching stories out there,
all created by a love of music. We want to hear them all. It’s sure to be an
emotional series but also uplifiting for everyone involved, including the viewers.
“All of us here at Cwmni Da are so excited to
be a part of making people’s dreams happen.”
Rhys Meirion agreed the series has the
potential to change lives.
He said he still recalls the excitement of his
early career when he had the chance to perform alongside vocalists he had long
respected, benefiting from their advice and encouragement.
His own idol, growing up, was the late
Pavarotti who he sadly never got to sing with. But Rhys has shared the stage
with Welsh compatriot Bryn Terfel, a moment which he said was overwhelming.
He said: “Singing with Bryn for the first time
was just amazing for me. It was a highlight of my career, just being on stage
with someone with such a powerful voice who I’d admired for so long. Moments
like that really do change your life for the better. To be able to give a gift
like that to someone else will be incredible.
“Wales is known as the land of song and we want
to be able to bring some of its hidden songsmiths out into the open, shine a
light on their talent and get them singing with their musical heroes and
heroines.
“I know challenges like this can be daunting,
especially for people whose confidence levels might not be high, but what I
will say to them is just go fo it.
“Take a chance and apply – you have everything
to gain and nothing to lose. What would be terrible is for the application
deadline to pass by and to regret not grasping the nettle and applying.
“We want to hear from as many people as
possible, for them to tell us about their musical hopes and dreams. What’s more
there is virtually no limit on who can apply. We’re looking for people aged
from of 10 right up to 110, and the show covers pretty much any music genre
from pop to classical, rock to reggae, jazz, soul, folk, anything.”
Siwan said the choice of idol is being left up
to the applicant.
She said: “We don’t want to steer people in any
particular direction. This is about their own wishes and dreams, so we want
them to tell us who they want to sing with. It can be someone who has just made
it big in the headlines right now or a singer who has been packing theatres for
decades.”
Rhys added: “We’re prepared to be surprised
too. It might be that a person harbours a dream of singing with someone who
isn’t necessarily a major star but who has been in the music business for a
long time, a respected professional from a genre which might not be constantly
in the limelight.
“I can’t wait to read the applications. I’m
looking forward to it and nervous at the same time as I’m sure it will be a
tough choice choosing who to go through.”
Cwmni Da hopes to start filming the series this
autumn with a view to it being broadcast on S4C in January 2021.
