Carreras leads Faenol field

Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel has revealed that international opera star José Carreras is to headline the 2003 Faenol festival.

World-renowned tenor Carreras will perform at the event in Bangor, north Wales, which was established by local-born Terfel four years ago.

Details about the festival were released on the day that Terfel received his CBE from Prince Charles at a ceremony on Cardiff, alongside former rugby star Gerald Davies.

But Terfel could not hide his delight at bringing Carreras to the Faenol estate in what is believed to be his first concert in Wales.

"This is the biggest coup to think José Carreras is going to sing between Caernarfon and Bangor," he told BBC News Online.

"Four years into the festival and we get one of the top three tenors in the world," he added.

Terfel, from nearby Pantglas in Gwynedd, even rearranged the running order to accommodate his guest star.

"That was mainly to suit him as he only was free on Sunday," he said

"There are not many places you can see him like this - I have heard places for between £1,000-£2,000 for his concerts," he added.

Organisers hope more than 10,000 people will flock to see the show.

"People have a chance to see José Carreras live and bring their best bottle of wine and best sandwich, and hope the sun shines," he said.

Three nights

As in previous years, the event will be split into three nights, opening with a West End Musicals, followed by a Gala Opera Night and the Dragon's Fire night featuring Welsh rock bands.

Other performers this year include West End stars Sally Ann Triplett and Simon Bownman.

A 16-year-old from New Zealand, Hayley Westenra, will also take the stage, something Terfel says he is particularly looking forward to.

"She is brilliant - she has sold platinum in New Zealand - she must be special," he said.

The event - which picked up last year's gong for the Greatest Show in Wales at the Wales Tourism Awards - began in 2000.

Last year, former soap stars Martine McCutcheon and Claire Sweeney starred at the concert.

The Faenol festival will run between Saturday 23 August to Monday 25 August - tickets go on sale on Saturday.


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