Machynlleth Festival facts for kids
The Machynlleth Festival is a yearly music event held in Machynlleth, Wales. It takes place in late August at a special building called The Tabernacle. During the festival week, many famous musicians and artists come to perform. They offer different kinds of shows, from classical music concerts to exciting jazz performances. There are even special shows just for children!
What Happens at the Festival?
The festival usually starts with a big sing-along of traditional hymns, called the Cymanfa Ganu. It's a chance for everyone to join in and sing together.
A special part of the festival is the Hallstatt Lecture. This talk explores different parts of Celtic culture. Celtic culture is about the history, languages, and traditions of people from places like Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.
During the festival, a very important prize is also given out. It's called the Glyndŵr Award. This award celebrates someone who has made a huge difference to the arts in Wales.
Who Performs at the Festival?
Over the years, many talented artists have performed at the Machynlleth Festival. The first festivals in the late 1980s featured singers like Paul Agnew and Elizabeth Vaughan. Famous actors such as Leonard Fenton also took part. Musicians like oboist Nicholas Daniel and saxophonist Don Rendell shared their music. Even the world-renowned bass-baritone singer Bryn Terfel performed early in his career.
In the early 1990s, the festival continued to attract top performers. These included jazz saxophonist Alan Skidmore and pianist Bernard Roberts. The festival also welcomed unique acts like Robin Williamson from the Incredible String Band.
By 1994, the festival had grown quite large. It featured many events each day for over a week. Some of the artists that year were violinist Tasmin Little and clarinettist Emma Johnson. In 1995, the festival became a bit smaller. However, it still had great performers like broadcaster Richard Baker and opera singer Sarah Walker.
In 1996, highlights included the jazz singer George Melly and the amazing trombonist Christian Lindberg. The festival continues to bring a wide range of musical talent to Machynlleth every year.
