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Visiting Welsh choir to perform three concerts on island for local charities

On Tour. The Mixed Voice Welsh Choir performed a concert in Belfast

C.M.W.Maó28/09/10 0:00

Formed in 1971, predominantly by people from the village of Creigiau, some 15 kilometres north west of Cardiff, the Cantorion Creigiau has performed both on television and live at many venues not only in Wales, but also other countries in the U.K. and even further afield such as Brittany, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong. In its almost forty years of existence the choir has raised nearly one million pounds for charity, an amount it hopes to increase on its next tour - to Menorca, from 4th to 11th October, when it will perform three concerts, in Maó, Ciutadella and Sant Lluís, to raise money for local charities.

Since its formation the choir's conductor and Musical Director has been Mair Roberts, a professional soprano who has appeared in such well-known venues as the Sydney Opera House. The resident accompanist is Helen Watkinson, a freelance ballet pianist, accompanist and orchestral pianist who has performed with household names including James Galway and Katherine Jenkins.

The first of the choir's concerts will be at the Sant Lluís Church on Tuesday 5th October; the programme including songs and hymns in Menorcan and Welsh with solos by Mair Roberts and Ray Pye.

On Thursday, 7th, the Cantorion Creigiau, Menorcan soprano Maria Camps and organist Bartolome Olives Villalonga will give a concert at the Santa Maria Church in Maó which will be repeated at the Cathedral in Ciutadella on Saturday, 9th. In addition to pieces in Welsh, English and Menorcan and solos from Ray Pye, Mair Roberts and Maria Camps, there will be an organ recital by Tomé Olives.

All the concerts will start at 2100 hrs. and entrance will be payable on the door.

The concert held in Maó will be in aid of the Santa Maria Organ Restoration Fund, whilst the proceeds from the Maó and Sant Lluís events will be for Rotary, Club Vidalba and Equelia.