What's the problem? Answer Save. A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Earth, Culture, Capital and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Famous Welsh Singers. Farmer turned opera singer...it can only happen to a welshman. No matter how much practice you have or how good your vocal coach is, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to win Eurovision. Anonymous. (or listen to Charlotte Church - god that bint is fecking awful lol!) I’ve lived outside of my homeland of Wales for nearly a third of my life now, but it wasn’t until last year that I’ve ever felt homesick – not for my actual home, rather that sense of shared history, identity and nostalgia. Why are some people naturally good at singing? Key to the Welsh culture is the folk tradition of poetry and music that continues to promote the Wel… Listen now for interviews with the biggest soap stars and all the latest spoilers - available on every major podcast app . Wish I knew- I would bottle it and sell it. Lol - OUCH!!! I love hearing the Welsh Male choir singing the National Anthem of Wales - … Sarah Gilford, Jessica Cale, Rachael Marsh, Osian Wyn Bowen and Rhys Batt will perform on Wednesday 13 May 2020 at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall accompanied by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Andrew Greenwood. 1. I'm Welsh and used to belong to a Welsh Male Voice Choir, I appreciate all good singers. When, in 1895, Treorky Male Choir sang for Queen Victoria in St George’s Hall, Windsor, suited and booted, the Queen is said to have remarked ‘They behaved like gentlemen and sang like angels’. Singing and reciting poetry (sometimes to music, when it is known as cerdd dant in Welsh) was often part of this and still plays a prominent role in the modern eisteddfod. 1 Answer. Welcome to the Digital Spy forums. Pages in category "Welsh male singers" The following 86 pages are in this category, out of 86 total. This category has the following 14 subcategories, out of 14 total. Other career highs include touring as a synth player with Pnau and Elton John and appearing on The Boy Least Likely … Thanks to that doctor’s prognosis and his advice to choose art instead, Kyffin become an artist. Why can some people sing well but others can’t? Welsh Superstar Mezzo Soprano Katherine Jenkins OBE officially became the world's most successful Classical singer this year after she was crowned 'The Biggest Selling Classical Artist of the Century' by Classic FM. The bardic tradition of the eisteddfod (the name given to a festival of poetry and music) can be traced back to the 12th Century. It is YOUR opinion that they are good. Fast-forward to the 18th Century and we see Wales really lay the foundation for its label as the ‘Land of Song’. If anything, it’s encouraged, helped by the fact that a choir will be on the pitch pre-match, at half-time and post-match to guide the crowd through the customary Welsh rugby repertoire – a series of traditional hymns (Calon Lân, Cwm Rhonnda, Gwahoddiad) that you may also hear at a standard Welsh wedding or funeral around the country. I must admit though, there are more that do have very good voices, compared to my English side of the family. Good singers are born with an amazing ‘instrument’ that includes lungs with superb vital capacity, exceptional breath control, and a larynx that allows them to stretch and squash their vocal cords to achieve the desired vocal range. This well-known Welsh landscape painter and printmaker suffered from depression and epilepsy and because of the latter he failed a British Army’s medical examination. But then this is not hypothetical; it’s reality, just a regular match day at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital of Cardiff. You have Dame Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church and also the opera singer on 'Britain has talen' and they are all welsh. When you here them talk they go very up and down the scales and jump from one extreme to another. Competition is as wholesome in religion as in commerce. And this is true; we as a nation grow up singing in school, at parties, in church. Singer. A quick Google search revealed at least five. Registered in England. Welsh Men Welsh Women Business People Film & Theater Personalities Intellectuals & Academics Leaders Media Personalities Musicians Physicians Scientists Singers Sportspersons Writers What is that common thread that ties the rich and the famous like Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Courteney Cox, Dylan Thomas, George Herbert, and Christian Bale together? I think it is a bit strong to say it is utter nonsense, he was only exploring possibilities that may cause the Welsh to sing well. Stereophonics in 2001. I always thought that it probably has something to do with the fact that the Welsh accent and also their language is very "musical". The Welsh, coincidentally, have a word for it: hiraeth. Mike Williams, musical director of Côr y Boro Welsh Choir (of which I am a member) and Eschoir, a Welsh male voice choir, also in London, explained that, “Choral singing was an opportunity to escape the labour and danger of the mines. You’re Welsh or of Welsh descent and want your language back. Welsh Female Singers Pop Singers. The most recent work being In My Craft by Geraint Lewis, a commission to celebrate the life of Dylan Thomas whose daughter Aeronwy was one of the Chorale's vice presidents for many years. I'm welsh and live in South Wales and when I go on the stragecoach bus every week I hear 20 old welsh OAPS chattering away, and they sound like headless chickens. People could argue Charlotte Church is a great welsh singer. I will not try it. I have no idea why but I do think that is true. New non-conformist chapels were also being built at an astonishing rate due to the revival of the Methodist movement of the Anglican Church that was popularised by leading Welsh preachers of the time. Greeted by around 40 people of different ages singing with gusto some rather familiar songs (Hello Cwm Rhondda and Calon Lân again), and continuing the songs in the local pub afterwards, I felt as if I were back at one of my family’s parties. “Being able to pitch the correct note can be a challenge for those who have not been brought up singing in schools like most of us are in Wales.”, To this day, everyone loves a Welsh choir. Utter nonsense, and quite naughty Grand Dizzy! London Welsh Chorale : A Century of Welsh Music Review: The London Welsh Chorale's second CD: Cennin Aur - A Century of Welsh Music charts the progress of choral music in Wales over the last hundred years. 6 at the Italian-inspired Portmeirion village; and one of opera world’s most prestigious events, the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World biennial competition (where Wales’ own Bryn Terfel first found fame). But then I think as a whole country, Britain is very musical. Welsh people are not more genetically predisposed to 'singing well' than any other people, as far as I am aware. Surely, a whole nation and generations of people can’t naturally have great voices? It won Best Welsh Album at the 2015 National Eisteddfod and the Welsh Music Prize. 10 October 1985. Shirley Bassey. The Welsh culture has endured despite the series of invasions, absorption into Great Britain, and mass arrival of non-Welsh residents. Public singing is not confined to the chapel, either. I heard that it is to do with the air over in Wales. Numerous factors go into one’s ability to sing. [1] Singers tend to have greater connections between areas of the brain than non-singers. To this day, everyone loves a Welsh choir!”. Simply untrue, now proven by scientific research. Relevance. The truth is, I don’t meet many Welsh people in London, where I now live. The melody and lyrics of this hymn are so beautiful, they'll touch your soul. I have no idea why the Welsh sing well. 3. He was the first British singer to appear at La Scala Milan after the war. I'm not insulting just sharing my opinion and true feeling. One of the Royal Opera's biggest ever stars, the Welsh bass-baritone was acclaimed for more than 70 roles including Mozart's Figaro - which he sang more than 500 times - Papageno in ‘The Magic Flute’, and the title roles in ‘Falstaff’ (pictured) and ‘Wozzeck’. View image of Welsh people are known to have two great passions: rugby and singing (Credit: Credit: Jeff Morgan 06/Alamy), used as the basis for the Elvish language, View image of The Welsh word 'hiraeth' means a soulful yearning for your homeland, particularly Wales (Credit: Credit: Nick Hatton/Alamy), View image of Singing helped unite new mining communities in Wales (Credit: Credit: Daily Herald Archive/Getty Images), Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, View image of There is no stigma attached to men singing in Wales, which has led to the rise of male singing groups like Only Boys Aloud (Credit: Credit: Polly Thomas/Alamy), spontaneously started singing in beautiful harmony, View image of A woman sings with the Welsh flag in the background (Credit: Credit: Daniel Jones/Alamy), sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter. “Anyone can be taught to sing to a basic standard,” Williams said. Is it something in the air perhaps? It doesn’t have a direct translation into English, but means a soulful yearning for your homeland (of Wales). So perhaps we don’t all have amazing natural singing voices, but it seems that it doesn’t stop us from trying – because when I say that singing is in my blood, it is. It is likely these traditions were also influenced by the lyrical nature of the Welsh language. The Welsh, as a nation, don't have better voices than any other nation. - Aled Jones, Cerys Mathews, Tom Jones, Burly Chassis (I mean shirley Bassey), Kathleen Jenkins, Bryn (that farmer turned opera singer bloke), not to mention all those male voice choirs. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Why is it that Welsh people on the whole are such good singers? I am Welsh and certainly can't sing. Prof Gareth Williams, emeritus history professor at the University of South Wales acknowledges that “the consonantal nature of the [Welsh] language, like Italian and German, lends itself to clearly articulated expression.” In fact, Welsh was apparently used as the basis for the Elvish language in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings partly due to its melodic, ethereal nature. 9 years ago. In unfamiliar new surroundings they found solace and sociability in song. Anonymous. We are a musical nation. If you’d like to join in, please sign in or register. So, maybe I can’t claim that all Welsh people can sing (my great aunt is case in point; sorry Aunty Denise), but what I can say for sure is that all Welsh people are singers. My favourite Welsh singer is Katherine Jenkins, I met her once, she really is a beautiful person inside and out. If you were born in Wales, moved there as a child or later on, it’s odds on you’re one of the 80% of the population who don’t speak the language. Can't begin to imagine how he was discovered. You may also be interested in:• Did Syria create the world’s first song?• The country that cuddles with a purpose• Why people think Germans aren’t funny. But since she's very opera like it hides her accent better. Why is it that Welsh people on the whole are such good singers? I do end up with a headache wherever I go though. Perhaps it is because singing is given more emphasis in Wales - so more people become involved in choirs and singing generally? [1] The Competition is open to Welsh singers at the early stages of their career. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Female vocalists from Wales: Subcategories. My favourite Irish singer among the tenors is Joseph Locke, and among the younger ones, Daniel O'Donnel. So i can say it thats all. The national calendar is filled with festivals, concerts and events encompassing all types of singing – including the National Eisteddfod, which travels to a different venue each year; the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (where Pavarotti made his first international appearance); Festival No. Find out more about the greatest Welsh Singers, including Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church, Shaheen Jafargholi, Bryn Terfel and Wynne Evans. Why are the Welsh such good singers? Famous People From Wales. The Welsh national anthem was written in 1856 by a father and son living in the South Wales town of Pontypridd, Evan and James James. From Ivor Novello to Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey to Katherine Jenkins, Only Boys Aloud to Stereophonics, we are not afraid to use our voices (even though there are only three million of us). There is no stigma attached to men singing in Wales, or in fact anyone singing in public. Singing is in my people as sight is in the eye. You see, Welsh people are known to have two great passions – rugby and singing – and when they congregate for a rugby match, you won’t be able to stop them breaking into song. - Aled Jones, Cerys Mathews, Tom Jones, Burly Chassis (I mean shirley Bassey), Kathleen Jenkins, Bryn (that farmer turned opera singer bloke), not to mention all those male voice choirs. I reckon this gives them "training" in music without them even knowing. The answer lies in the culture. The tradition of singing has been collectively handed down from generation to generation. Category:Welsh female singers. Musician Gwenno found fame in the Pipettes, where she was known as Gwenno Pipette. Singer. Being Welsh and singing seem to go hand in hand, it is just something we all do, even if we don’t quite know why. What does that mean and how is it pronounced? As in my case, for you the main answer to the question “Why learn Welsh” could be your family background. This creation of new communities caused singing to become even more prominent, for with the new communities of miners – especially in the South Wales valleys, which were densely populated with collieries – came congregational singing. Charlotte Church. Picture: Tim Roney/Getty Images But just because singing is a Welsh tradition and we have a healthy stream of Welsh singing talent in the public eye, does that mean everyone can sing? What is the connection. I can think of few societies, countries or cultures where male singing is so lauded, commonplace or present. Men and women found comfort from the daily industrial grind in their chapels, which were springing up like dragon’s teeth – by 1900 there were more than 5,000 of them – dominating both the skyline and the social and cultural life of the people,” Prof Williams said. Why the Welsh voice is so musical Sir Anthony Hopkins has a "refined but melodic" accent. Well I don't like to say but not all of them sound so good. I wouldn't say that all Welsh people are good singers, if you think that you should check out karaoke night in any pub in Cardiff! —Walter Savage Landor (1775–1864) “ Never does one feel oneself so utterly helpless as in trying to speak comfort for great bereavement. “In unfamiliar new surroundings they found solace and sociability in song, for in a materially poor society the voice was the most democratic of instruments; it cost nothing, for most of us have a voice. Perhaps that is why Welsh singers have been hitting the highs of global popular music for the last 100 years. The list of world-class Welsh voices covers a vast range of music genres – featuring international stars Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones, classical singers Aled Jones and Kathleen Jenkins, pop divas Charlotte Church and Duffy, and indie bands the Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals and the Stereophonics. Welsh politician and folk singer Dafydd Iwan carries a fascinating marker that is quintessentially Welsh and that almost certainly links him to Dark Ages Welsh kings who ruled in England. Perhaps that is why Welsh singers have been hitting the highs of global popular music for the last 100 years. It’s not a pop song, but a hymn; and you’re not at a concert, but a rugby match. Famous quotes containing the words competition, welsh and/or singers: “ Every sect is a moral check on its neighbour. With a society now dominated in numbers by men (around 250,000 miners were employed to extract coal and iron ore from the Welsh landscape at the industry’s height), male singing also grew in popularity, a tradition that continues to this day. Little wonder that Wales is known as the land of song, as a language expert has found the accent really is musical. Lets face it. Any visiting tourists must have thought it strange, but to the Welsh in the hall, it was just natural. Welsh Singers is an actor, known for How Green Was My Valley (1941). 6 years ago. The fact is some people are just born with a naturally great singing voice. Without actually moving back home, I did the only thing I knew that would put me in touch with fellow Welshies: I looked for a Welsh choir. If travellers somehow finds themselves in the traditionally masculine setting of a Welsh rugby club, they shouldn’t be surprised to witness the patrons spontaneously burst into song. This list may not reflect recent changes (). In my opinion. A line from the 1941 Oscar-winning adaptation of Richard Llewellyn’s novel How Green Was My Valley, a story about a Welsh mining community at the turn of the 20th century, reads: “Singing is in my people as sight is in the eye”. Yes, I blame my Welsh nature for reacting to irrationally and hot-headedly. 1 March 2020, 08:00 | Updated: 1 March 2020, 08:01. This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total. The Welsh language has played a key role in the promotion of the Welsh culture. Favourite answer. At this time, music and poetry had great cultural significance, with folk traditions enabling stories to be told and recanted down the generations. Singing is part of Welsh identity and tradition – but why? People with good voices are, from a very young age, encouraged to use them (choirs etc), develop them and make a career out of using them. Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 3 1. The influx of migrants to Wales from the British countryside and abroad, seeking work in the ever-expanding coal and iron industries, saw huge population increases to the country. She now performs solo with her latest album Y Dydd Olaf on Heavenly Recordings released in 2015. The world famous opera star, who has graced the stages of some of the most famous opera houses, including New York’s Met, often gets asked why the Welsh are such good singers. Introducing the Soap Scoop podcast! We even compete in the National Eisteddfod, the largest festival of competitive poetry and music in Europe. Singing is part of Welsh identity and tradition – but what caused this tradition to be collectively handed down from generation to generation? Gwahoddiad. Read about our approach to external linking. All Rights Reserved. No, I always wince at the suggestion that English and Welsh are 'racially different'. I am sure that GD meant no malice in his post. ©2020 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK. Marina Diamandis. I would describe myself as tone deaf. Time is the only comforter for the loss of a mother. The best Welsh bands of all time. At the recent National Eisteddfod in Cardiff, while the crowd waited for the singing competition results, the entire auditorium of the Wales Millennium Centre spontaneously started singing in beautiful harmony. Welsh national anthem It’s apt that a song titled Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my Fathers) should be a family affair. The Welsh people have a distinctive culture including their own language, customs, beliefs, holidays, music, and cuisine. Why We Are What We Are is a BBC Travel series examining the characteristics of a country and investigating whether they are true. Kyffin Williams (1918-2006). The Welsh Singers Competition (Welsh: Cystadleuaeth i Gantorion Cymreig), now called Welsh Singers Showcase, is a biennial singing competition that is held in Cardiff, Wales.The winner of the competition represents Wales in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World the following year. Picture this: you’re in a filled-to-capacity stadium with around 75,000 other people, and pretty much everyone is singing. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "If You Only Read 6 Things This Week". Can someobody fill me in further on that, because if its true, i think im going to set up camp in wales, and then my voice should improve. Some people think welsh people are good at singing , when, im not saying they are lying, but they are no good than you think they are. You only need to hear the crowd singing Bread of Heaven at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff to witness this.”, Prof Williams perhaps sums it up best with a quote from Milton Shulman’s 1953 review of the film Valley of Song in the Evening Standard: “There are many things you can say about a Welshman, but never be rude about his larynx.”. Turning up to the Borough Welsh Chapel near London Bridge on a glum-looking Tuesday evening in September, I was transported home. 08 January 1937. The Welsh are "unfriendly" and "rude", finds report by their own tourist board . It gets my native British blood boiling! According to Williams, “Having a sense of tradition and national pride gives confidence to all aspiring Tom Joneses and Shirley Basseys, as singing is very much a part of our identity. 1. Welsh Singers Showcase 2020 Congratulations to the five talented young singers who have reached this year’s final concert of the Welsh Singers Showcase. Of course all of them don't, I have a large Welsh family and not all of them have great voices. Category:Welsh singers. Research has suggested that singing with someone else is not the same as singing alone, nor the same as singing with an instrument, because singing with others involves neurological areas related to human social interaction, empathy and coordination. Chwarae Teg. I think its part of the sing song accent isnt it? Choirs and choral singing are in our history, and you can find Welsh choirs across the globe, from Sydney to Boston, so it seemed inevitable that I would come across one in London. Language; Watch; Edit; Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vocalists from Wales: Subcategories.