Event Line Up Announced as Llandaff Cathedral Festival returns for 2023

26 June 2023

A celebration of culture, music and heritage including tours, talks, workshops, concerts, family events and services – Llandaff Cathedral Festival is running from Tuesday 4th July to Sunday 9th July in 2023 and tickets are already on sale.

Originally started in 1958 and running for an impressive 30 years, the Llandaff Festival was an important part of Cardiff life before the building of St David’s Hall. In the past the festival attracted large orchestral works, chamber music and piano recitals from renowned international soloists, and had an impressive record of commissions by Welsh composers including Alun Hoddinott, William Mathias and many others. In more recent times the Festival was briefly relaunched as part of the Organ appeal from 2008 -2013. For the first time in 9 years, 2022 saw the regeneration of the Llandaff Cathedral Festival. Over the course of four days, there were 27 events, with 22 of them free to attend.

Some highlights include:

A Night at the Opera

Saturday 8th July

Llandaff Cathedral | 7.30pm | £10

Llandaff Cathedral Festival chorus presents a sensational evening at the opera with an array of the finest opera choruses, including works from Puccini, Verdi, Strauss and Mozart.

They will be joined by Cardiff Singer of the World finalist, soprano Jessica Robinson, tenor Rhodri Jones and baritone Emyr Wyn Jones singing arias from Dido and Aeneas, the Pearl Fishers, Don Giovanni and Cavalleria Rusticana.

In Conversation with Rowan Williams

Tuesday 4th July

Llandaff Cathedral | 7.30pm | £10

Our opening Night of the Festival will be a unique opportunity to sample the rich and wide-ranging thought of Bishop Rowan Williams.

Director of Formation at St Padarn’s, Revd Dr Jordan Hillebert, asks Rowan Williams about the spiritual issues and intellectual passions that are most dear to his heart.

Late Night Jazz

Wednesday 5th July

Lady Chapel, Llandaff Cathedral | 9.30pm | £10

Hot Club Gallois are a dynamic 4-piece gypsy-jazz band based in South Wales playing the hottest picks of the Swing Era. Their set contains Django Reinhardt classics (such as Minor Swing, Nuages, I’ll See You In My Dreams), swing-flavoured jazz standards (Night & Day, Puttin’ On The Ritz, Oh, Lady Be Good!) and some Hot Club Gallois originals. From gypsy to jitterbug, bossa to bolero, Hot Club Gallois will transport you to the swirling dance halls and gypsy camps of Paris in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Twmpath

Friday 7th July

Llandaff Cathedral | 7.30pm | £10 for adults and £5 for children!

We’re clearing the chairs and having a barn dance in the Nave of the Cathedra! Skite Ceilidh Band musicians and caller will lead the Welsh version of a barn dance, and there’ll be a bar so you can wet your whistles as well. Fun for whole the family.

Find out more about the festival and book your tickets now on the Llandaff Cathedral Festival website.