West Wales concertgoers are preparing for a flag-waving musical extravaganza as the ever-popular Last Night of the Proms gets ready to raise the roof!
The 20th anniversary Last Night of the Proms on Saturday June 2 at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes Theatre, hosted by the Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers will see 200-plus leading singers and musicians unite for the big night of fun and patriotic music including the international broadcast and performance voices of the Hywel Choirs, stars of Britain’s Got Talent Angelicus Celtis, the mighty Pontarddulais Male Choir, the Llanelli Choral Society joined by the acclaimed symphonic sounds of the British Sinfonietta Orchestra, organist Huw Tregelles Williams, pianist Jane Jewell, percussionist Gareth Hamlin – all under the legendary baton of John Hywel Williams.
The historic night will be a rollercoaster of musical favourites from the world of classics, musical theatre and world cinema celebrated in unique style with thousands of flags, balloons and confetti.
Great choruses and classics will include the Hallelujah Chorus, Easter Hymn, Nessun Dorma and a 200-strong rendition of Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Favourites from the world of film will include the rare thrill of live orchestral performances of music from Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, while highlights from musical theatre will include There’s no Business Like Show Business and a Les Miserables spectacular.
There will be poignant tributes to the centenary of World War One and a tribute to veterans and Serving personnel of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces with music including Pack Up Your Troubles, Schindler’s List, Abide with Me, Hymn to the Fallen, Sanctus and Benedictus from The Armed Man and a moving The Day Thou Gavest.
The grand finale of the night will be a flag-waving patriotic spectacular with the Dambusters March, Nimrod, Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory finished with great fanfares and national anthems with thousands of balloons and flag at hand!
The Proms will be led by legendary conductor John Hywel Williams who this year celebrates a record-breaking 70 years of conducting his internationally acclaimed Hywel Girls’ Choir which has seen over 8000 choristers taught under his baton, over 900 concert performances, 200-plus television and radio broadcasts and 25 international concert tours around the world.
“The 20th anniversary Last Night of the Proms promises to be yet again an exciting and slightly mad celebration of music”, said conductor John Hywel Williams. “It’s a night where audiences are expected to make more noise and have more fun than the artists! I simply can’t wait!”
Since its inception, the Hywel Choir’s Last Night of the Proms has hosted a wealth of leading choirs, orchestras and military bands including The Central Band of the RAF, The Band of the Welsh Guards and the Band of HM Royal Marines on 5 occasions.
The 2018 Last Night of the Proms starts at 7.00pm on Saturday 2nd June at Y Ffwrnes. Tickets £20 and remaining tickets can be obtained from 07795 236807 or Ffwrnes Box Office.
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