Talented singer Elin Manahan Thomas is looking forward to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for more than one reason.
She releases her first CD, ‘Eternal Light’, during the week of the festival and more importantly, she’ll be presenting for the first time from the Eisteddfod field, in the company of Rhodri Owen.
“I’m looking forward to it very much and am extremely pleased to have the opportunity,” says the soprano who comes originally from the Gorseinon, near Swansea. “Of all the Eisteddfodau, Llangollen is my favourite because of the international aspect, and there’s more taking part than competing, with the singing and dancing spilling over onto the maes and the town. This is a festival full of ‘hwyl’ and energy!”
Presenting isn’t a totally alien field for her, as she recently co-presented the Cardiff Singer of the World competition with Aled Jones. And she should feel at home in Llangollen as she competed there whilst at school.
Elin is a busy lady promoting her album which is released tomorrow. But, as she’s enjoying her presenting so much, will this take over from her singing?
“Oh no! I enjoy sitting in a nice studio chatting away non-stop (that’s what presenting means to me!), but I’m a singer. Fortunately, up to now I’ve only presented music programmes, so my two worlds are comfortably overlapping. Who knows what will happen next, but with the new CD out during Eisteddfod week, I’m sure that I’ll be busy on every level.”
Llangollen 07, Wednesday – Friday, 1.30pm – 4.00pm, S4C digidol. Highlights programmes every evening at 8.25pm, S4C with English subtitles available
Source:Wales On Sunday