Despite changes to the line-up and some less-than-ideal weather, Llanfyllin Music Festival was deemed “a feast of classical music” by its organisers.

The 2023 festival, which took place from July 8 to July 16, saw a plethora of musicians arriving in Llanfyllin to perform for an audience made up of visitors from across Powys and beyond.

The festival was preceded by a last-minute lineup change when acts such as Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Zhang, Café Lola and Aurora Bowkett withdrew from the event.

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The festival began with the open air event ‘Night at the Opera’, held at Llanfyllin Workhouse. While the weather was described as “abysmal” by the festival’s chairman, it did not dampen the spirits of those performing or attending.

Margaret Clennett, chairman of the Llanfyllin Music Festival, said: “The audience came not only from our home area of Llanfyllin, Welshpool and Oswestry but further afield too, including Oxford, Wiltshire and the Isle of Man. 

“Llanfyllin is much more than a local festival; its reputation and quality of musicianship attracts visitors to the area.”

Also at the Workhouse, the wind band Ensemble Renard played a session before appearing at St Myllin’s for another show the next evening.

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Ensemble Renard bassoonist Patrick Bolton said: “The cabaret concert in the Workhouse was a real treat.”

On Saturday, July 15, the inaugural concert by the New Allegri Quartet, formed this year by Rafael Todes, took place.

The Llanfyllin crowd welcomed the quartet, who have been a mainstay of the festival since its inception over 40 years ago, perform music by Schubert, Beethoven and Ravel.

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Harpist Ieuan Jones flew in from Italy to close out the festival, playing at the final concert on Sunday, July 16.

He was partnered with Rhodri Prys Jones as part of a recital made up of harp and vocal performances.

Both musicians grew up locally and played to their home crowd, with Ieuan performing two pieces by acclaimed harp composer David Watkins, who was present to introduce them.

As a final bonus, Rhodri added some Welsh songs to his advertised programme of Schubert and Vaughan Williams to bring the 2023 Llanfyllin Music Festival to its conclusion.