Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod: Music composed by first musical director to be performed

At the Thursday evening concert opera legend Bryn Terfel will sing a Welsh piece penned by WS Gwynne Williams, the Eisteddfod's first musical director after an opening fanfare by his latest successor, Eilir Owen Griffiths.

Eilir said: "Bryn Terfel will be singing the song Tosturi Duw as a tribute to my illustrious predecessor while I'll be giving the world premiere of my own fanfare which is also a celebration of this very special occasion."

Music was a lifelong passion for William Sydney Gwynne Williams OBE who was born in Llangollen in 1896 and who was the festival's first musical director and held the post from 1947 to 1977 – the year before he died.

Eilir said: "WS Gwynne Williams was once described as a musical ambassador and the most far-reaching influence Wales has ever produced and that is certainly true.

"He was one of the founding fathers of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and that is why we are honouring his memory at the 70th festival. Bryn will be singing Tosturi Duw, which in English means God's mercy, and is a beautiful song. Our other guest performer at the concert, the Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja, will perform another famous song by WS Gwynne Williams, Little Welsh Home.

"The concert will open with the world premiere of a fanfare I have composed especially for the 70th Eisteddfod entitled Fanfare for Peace and this will be its world premiere."

The festival will run from July 5 to 10. To book tickets and for more details visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk