Lleisiau Penfrd (Voices of Pembroke)
Lleisiau Penfro(Voices of Pembroke) is a new choir formed in 2006 in response to a request from the Welsh towns of Pembroke and Pembroke Dock for a choir to visit their twin town of Pembroke in Malta furthering the cultural exchanges existing between them.
The choir is based in the Welsh county of Pembrokeshire United Kingdom in the vicinity of the towns of Pembroke & Pembroke Dock. Pembroke is best known for its castle in which Henry V11 King of England was born in 1485, whilst Pembroke Dock was a garrison town and naval base. Across the waters of the Cleddau estuary is Milford Haven with its deep water harbour and oil refineries now also being constructed into a LNG terminal for natural gas from Quatar.
The choir will be visiting Malta between 1 – 8 October 2007 and will be giving evening concerts on these dates.
- Wednesday October 3 Siggiewi Parish Church
- Friday October 5 St George’s Basilica Gozo
- Saturday October 6 St Winstin Church Valletta
The 57 mixed voice choir comprises singers belonging to various choirs in the vicinity principally Cantorion Tyddewi and the Griffon Choir and has a wide repertoire ranging from religious music to Welsh folk songs and melodies from the lighter side of musicals and opera. The choir is conducted by Brian Lavender who has considerable experience in the locality in this field as well as being an organist and accomplished singer. The accompanist is Paul Lavender a Minister in the Baptist Church who will be playing the church organs at the concerts for the choir and in solo works. Paul has many credits to his name having given organ recitals throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and in 2005 was the Musical Director for the 2005 Baptist World Alliance Congress in Birmingham. The vocal and flute soloist is Fiona Care a Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon who has a distinguished part time career as a soprano vocalist and musician centred around St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire.
During their stay the choir will be visiting the Kunsill Lokali Pembroke to meet the Mayor Joe Zammit, other Council officials and also the people to extend greetings from the Welsh twin towns. All monies raised from the visit are being donated to Id-Dar Tal Providenza whom we have expressed a wish to support.
The choir are grateful to Alpine Travel for making the travel arrangements and organising the visit, the twin towns for their financial support and guidance, and HSBC Bank Malta for sponsorship.
"We are really looking forward to our visit to Malta and the island of Gozo having read so much of their history and holiday attractions. We hope we shall have an opportunity of meeting many people and they will support our concerts."
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