IN MEMORY of Welsh tenor Kenneth Bowen, who died last year, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will this year host the world premiere of The Spring of Vision.

This has been composed by the festival’s music director and friend of Mr Bowen, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry.

The evening performance on Wednesday, July 3 will use the dramatic setting of the Vernon Watkins poem of the same name to celebrate the life of Bowen, one of the most distinguished singers of his generation.

It will be performed by an all-Wales cast, including Shân Cothi (soprano) and Rhodri Prys Jones (tenor), performing alongside the London Welsh Chorale, Liverpool Choral Union and Wrexham Youth Choir in a massed choir.

This will be the first time Shân Cothi and Rhodri Prys Jones will have performed together.

Following Edward-Rhys listening to Shân interview Rhodri on her BBC Wales radio show, he was inspired to invite them to perform together on Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion stage.

The Spring of Vision encapsulates the dream of Taliesin who, on questioning the state of humanity and our future, is taken on a journey through wars, conflict and then finally arriving at the one act that defines humanity, the act of Christ on the cross.

Edward-Rhys Harry said: “Wednesday is the centre of the week-long festival and I wanted Welsh music to be at the heart of this year’s Eisteddfod.

“I am honoured and privileged to be able to create a piece in memory of my friend and inspiration Kenneth Bowen, that celebrates the Land of Song as its very best.

"He was a long-time collaborator of another of my inspirations William Mathias, and was founder of the London Welsh Chorale whom I have the honour to direct, so it will be a beautiful and emotional evening to have the chorale perform this premiere.”

Tickets can be purchased online here or via the box office on 01978 862001.