BREAKING NEWS:
Members of Llangollen Sports Club have broken their own record and cleared and packed away an incredible 4,300 chairs in just 46 minutes at Llangollen Pavilion after the 2025 Eisteddfod - shaving an impressive 33 seconds off last year’s record, reports operation organiser Dave Hennigan.
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* Hear the Nicoletta Mantovani interview for Today on BBC iPlayer.
Pavarotti’s widow, who visited Llangollen at the weekend, spoke about her experience on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning (Monday).
Nicoletta Mantovani had a fanfare arrival last Friday, travelling by train from Corwen to Llangollen on the area’s heritage railway line, attending the annual Eisteddfod service at St Collen’s and presenting two major prizes during Pavilion concerts on Saturday and Sunday.
She was here to celebrate the 70th anniversary of his prize-winning appearance at the Eisteddfod with his hometown choir from Modena in Italy, the 30th anniversary of his triumphant return for a solo concert in 1995 and the year of his 90th birthday.
This morning she was interviewed by Today’s Nick Robinson and spoke about how much she enjoyed her first ever visit which coincided with the release of a new film featuring re-mastered footage of the 1995 concert and two rare tracks from 1955.
His recording company Decca describes the new release – The Lost Concert: Live From Llangollen (1995) – as “75 minutes of remastered musical glory – a programme overflowing with operatic arias from Cavalleria Rusticana, Il trovatore, Macbeth, Manon Lescaut and La traviata, and popular Neapolitan song”.
Asked about it by Nick Robinson, Nicoletta said he wanted to return to Llangollen in 1995 “because he wanted to go back and re-live all the emotions (from 1955) and meet the people who were there”.
She added that his appearance with the choir, in which he sang alongside his father, had convinced him that if a small choir from Italy could win the choral prize at the Eisteddfod there was a chance for him to make it on his own in the world of opera.
Nicoletta said her own visit to the Eisteddfod, had been “magical” because the annual festival was “unique in its diversity”.
The new release, recorded with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leone Magiera with the Corale Rossini and soprano Atzuko Kawahara, features a 100-page LP-sized book, detailing the history of the concert, interviews with those who were there,rare historic photos from the Eisteddfod archive, a newly commissioned biography of Pavarotti, a reproduction of the original concert programme and a specially commissioned history of Llangollen Eisteddfod.
Decca says it is "comparable in significance to Pavarotti in Hyde Park and ‘Pavarotti in Central Park".
* You can hear the Today radio interview at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002fv7q around 1:41:45 minutes into the BBC iPlayer recording.
Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:
A542 Wrth / Nr 1 VICARAGE ROAD WEST 17/07/2025 22/07/2025 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works OCU GROUP (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights
BETWEEN PRINCESS STREET AND PARADE STREET EAST STREET 14/07/2025 22/07/2025 Adnewyddu Adeiladau / Refurbishment of Buildings CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD LLANGOLLEN Atal Parcio yn Unig / Parking Suspension Only
A talented tenor who grew up idolising opera great Luciano Pavarotti has been crowned the world’s best young singer by the late maestro’s widow.
Andrew Henley, 34, said winning the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at Llangollen International Eisteddfod last night (Sunday) was a “dream come true” and receiving the award from Nicoletta Mantovani was an “unbelievable” honour.
He triumphed in the iconic pavilion after a thrilling sing off against gifted soprano Eiry Price, from Pencaenewydd, in Gwynedd.
Andrew, from Monmouth, was overjoyed to be presented with his prize by Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta, who is now re-married to financier Alberto Tinarelli who accompanied her on her pilgrimage.
She made a special journey to North Wales to celebrate the double anniversary of Pavarotti’s appearances at the Llangollen Eisteddfod which he credited with igniting his career.
It is 70 years since a young Luciano first performed at Llangollen with his dad’s choir, Chorus Rossini, in 1955, and 30 years since he returned as a global superstar in 1995 when he sang in a sell-out concert.
Nicoletta paid tribute to the arts loving owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, Mario Kreft MBE, and his wife, Gill, who sponsored the competition via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which supports cultural and community activities.
She specifically asked to present the Pendine prize, a beautiful silver salver, because she and Pavarotti were passionate about supporting and encouraging emerging young talent.
Since his death she has set up The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, a non-profit organisation that’s dedicated to keeping alive his memory and supporting promising young opera singers.
Speaking to a packed audience as she presented the prize to Andrew, Nicoletta said: “Culture cannot exist without angels and I’m so pleased that here you have such special friends in Mario and Gill Kreft, they are among the eisteddfod’s angels, who know how culture can unify people from so many different communities and cultures.
“Their sponsorship of this competition and the hard work of everyone involved with Llangollen International Eisteddfod is doing so much to help bring on the next young generation of singers, to encourage the Pavarottis of the future.”
Mario Kreft said it was an honour to have Nicoletta as a special guest at the concert and to rekindle memories of Pavarotti’s appearances in Llangollen.
He said: “He will always be a part of this Eisteddfod, he had a genuine affection for the festival and for the Llangollen community as a whole.
“We feel privileged that Nicoletta as been here tonight to see how the festival’s tradition of supporting up and coming new musical talent remains as strong as ever.”
The two finalists opened a dazzling evening which saw the return of world famous Welsh born baritone Sir Bryn Terfel to the Llangollen Eisteddfod main stage in a concert also sponsored by Pendine Park. He was supported by Cornish sea shanty sensations Fisherman’s Friends.
Andrew Henley, whose parents, John and Sandra, and brother Matt, were in the audience to see him win, said: “It is one of the most unbelievable nights of my life.
“I was so thrilled to be presented with the trophy by Nicoletta. I grew up listening to Pavarotti. His records and the Three Tenors albums were always on in our house. He was my absolute hero.
“To think that I have now performed at the same venue where he performed is amazing. This is my first time at Llangollen Eisteddfod and it has been such a joyous occasion.”
He delivered three musical numbers – Che Gelida Manina from the opera La Boheme; Gebet by Wolf; and Love Went a-Riding by Bridge.
The competition was judged by Martin Fitzgerald, head of music at the English National Opera, and operatic soprano Sarah Tynan, a voice professor at the Royal College of Music. They said it was a tough decision choosing a winner as the standard of both performers was so high.
According to Andrew, who also received a cheque for £3,000, winning the competition will make a huge difference to his future career.
He said: “It is difficult at this stage of any singer’s life when you have finished college and suddenly have to find the funds for services which used to be provided free in college, like singing lessons and other training.
“They have to be paid for and the prize money from this competition will help me to do that. It is a great boost in helping me achieve my dream of becoming a professional opera star.”
Andrew studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and is a graduate of the National Opera Studio, where he was supported by the Welsh National Opera’s Sir John Moores Award.
Following his win he is heading to Shwerin, Germany to perform in the Merry Widow with Mecklenburg State Theatre opera company.
Runner-up Eiry Price, who received a £1,000 prize, is a 2024/2025 Welsh National Opera Associate Artist and an alumna of the Royal College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Sir Bryn Terfel praised “outstanding” performances of both finalists.
He said: “I was backstage watching them and hugely impressed by both. It was a closely fought contest and it is refreshing to think we have such great young opera talent coming through. I
“It’s heartening also that organisations like Pendine Park are getting so strongly behind the young talent of the future and offering such sterling support to the Llangollen Eisteddfod. I’m so pleased to be back here once more and helping celebrate such a great anniversary, I’m having the time of my life.”
The 28th edition of the Llangollen Fringe Festival began yesterday right in sync with World Fringe Day.
Organisers promise "boundary-pushing performances, vibrant workshops, and free community events all across town."
What to expect this year:
A bold, eclectic line-up of music, comedy, dance, theatre, spoken word, and hands-on workshops.
Headliners include Bill Ryder-Jones, London Afrobeat Collective, Breabach, Mr Scruff and MC Kwasi, Adwaith, and Cerys Hafana.
Music Around Town returns on 13 and 19 July, bringing free live performances to venues across Llangollen.
Festival Tickets available for £120, giving you access to all main events and saving over £85 on individual tickets. Click HERE to learn more about our line-up and to purchase tickets.
Workshops and community events
From poetry to circus skills, shadow film to DJing, there’s something for all ages. Explore your creative side and get involved. Click HERE for more details.
Two special guests were at a special service of music and readings to close the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod held at St Collen's Church this morning (Sunday)
Led by priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor, the congregation included Nicoletta Mantovani, widow of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti, who has been on a visit to the Eisteddfod to mark the late maestro's close association with the festival at which he first sang as a choir member in 1955 and where he returned to perform an historic concert in 1995. This year would also have been his 90th birthday.
On Friday she unveiled a 60-metre chalk statue of him on the hillside leading up to Castell Dinas Bran and presented the Pavarotti Trophy to the winners of the Eisteddfod's Choir of World competition last night. This evening she will return to the Pavilion stage to hand over the trophy to the winner of the Pendine Voice of the Future Competition.
Also in this morning's congregation was Sir Terry Waite who for many years was Eisteddfod president and who received a warm welcome when he came into church to site beside Nicoletta on the front pew.
During the service there was music from Coral Divo Canto from Portugal who competed at the festival this year.
North Wales Police posted on their social media just after 12noon:
ROAD CLOSURE ####
Please avoid the area of London Road in Corwen North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service are currently in attendance to a fire on the embankment
The road has been closed for safety purposes and to allow the emergency services to carry out their work
