Welsh Proms return to St David’s Hall

This weekend (21 July) marks the return of one of the most anticipated events in Cardiff’s concert calendar as the Welsh Proms is back at St David’s Hall!

Now in its 33^rd year, the 2018 series includes everything from classical, folk, jazz and brass to the world’s most memorable movies themes. There’s great family fun every day to keep the little ones entertained too!

Since starting in July 1986, the Welsh Proms has captivated countless Cardiff audiences at the National Concert Hall of Wales and this year promises to be as exciting as ever!

Full listings…

Sir Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man

Saturday 21 July, 7.30pm

The 2018 Welsh Proms starts in style with a First World War centenary tribute featuring the iconic Sir Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man performed by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra. Elsewhere, within this powerful programme is the thrilling grandeur of Walton’s Spitfire, Prelude & Fugue; the shimmering beauty of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and the spectacular finale from Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Soloist for the evening is the sensational Shân Cothi with virtuoso violinist David Adams accompanied by the Welsh Proms Festival Chorus and Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, plus Cardiff’s Ardwyn Singers and Polyphonic Choir – all conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes CBE.

TICKETS: £9 – £40 (concessions available)

Tiddly Prom: Cherry Pie’s Holiday Adventure

Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 July, 10.30am (no performance on Sunday 22 July)

If you want to get in the mood for the summer hols with your little ones, then you’ll love this year’s Tiddly Prom! There’s no need to pack your suitcases or dust off your passports, as Cherry Pie’s Holiday Adventure takes us on a wonderful journey from the seaside to the funfair, before rambling through rainforests and boarding planes and trains; plus a balloon ride too! This interactive and accessible concert comes to Lefel 1 for seven performances throughout the week, and is the ideal introduction to music and its many instruments for under 5s.

TICKETS: £7.50 (adults and children must have a ticket. Under one years are free).

Family Prom: The Carnival of the Animals and Other Zoological Friends…

Sunday 22 July, 3pm

The ever-popular Family Prom is back, and this year it celebrates the wonders of the animal kingdom! Tails, scales, paws or claws – all creatures great and small are covered in this captivating concert featuring Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra and popular TV presenter, Josie d’Arby. Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals evokes images of beastly bears, crazy kangaroos and enormous elephants all rampaging across the stage! Also included in this really wild show are family favourites from The Lion King, Chicken Run and The Jungle Book. Plus, there’s a feast of free pre-concert activities from 1pm such as face-painting, hula-hooping, photo ops, instrument demonstrations and live performances.

TICKETS: £7.50 for 5-16 years and £11.50 for adults (under 5s are free, but a ticket is still required).

Organ Prom: Sound the Trumpet II

Monday 23 July, 1pm

Acclaimed organist Anne Page is joined by revered horn player Crispian Steele-Perkins for Sound the Trumpet II. Music from the 18^th to 20^th century introduces the audience to both conventional modern symphonic and piccolo trumpets, plus Flugelhorn and historic Baroque instruments.

TICKETS: £8 (£2 off for concessions).

Folk Prom: Calan

Monday 23 July, 8pm

Welsh cult favourites Calan perform a cacophony of fiddles, guitar, accordion and bagpipes to create a uniquely fresh and vibrant sound. This high energy concert celebrates their latest album Solomon, which contains their most beautifully haunting melodies and infectious rhythms to date.

TICKETS: £15.50 in advance and £16.50 on the day. £5 for children 15 years and under (£2 off for concessions).

Classical Extravaganza!

Tuesday 24 July, 7.30pm

Experience an evening of the most dramatic and evocative musical themes ever composed from Rossini’s Thieving Magpie Overture, through Bizet’s Carmen, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s scintillating Scheherazade before the grand finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. This year’s programme features a welcome return from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, and includes a performance on the Hall’s great organ!

TICKETS: £9 – £40 (concessions available)

Brass & Voices

Wednesday 25 July, 7.30pm

For a passionate and patriotic evening of the very best Welsh choral music, there really is no concert better than Brass & Voices! Presented by beloved singer and BBC Radio Wales personality Beverley Humphreys, this rousing repertoire includes Myfanwy, Cwm Rhondda and many more. Lewis-Merthyr and RAF St Athan Massed Bands share the stage with Massed Male Choirs from Bridgend, Cwmbach, Côr Meibion and Pontarddulais – Cymru am byth!

TICKETS: £9 – £40 (concessions available)

Jazz Prom: Celebrate Sinatra and the Kings of Swing

Thursday 26 July, 7.30pm

The magnificent Matthew Ford teams up again with Cardiff’s own Capital City Jazz Orchestra for a celebration of the legendary Frank Sinatra. Plus, there’s the greatest swing and Big Band music from an unforgettable era including Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr and Matt Monro.

TICKETS: £16.50 for adults, and £8.25 for children under 16 (£2 off for concessions).

Movies & Musicals

Friday 27 July, 7.30pm

West End and Broadway sensation John Owen Jones and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra join forces at this showbiz spectacular to delight film fans of all ages. Get ready for memorable movie themes from Star Wars to Superman, plus musical theatre favourites from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.

TICKETS: £9 – £40 (concessions available).

Last Night of the Welsh Proms

Saturday 28 July, 7.30pm

Owain Arwel Hughes CBE brings the curtain down for the awe-inspiring Last Night of the Welsh Proms with a helping hand from renowned harpist Claire Jones and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Amid an atmosphere of high spirits are masterpieces by Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Elgar and John Williams as well as new works by Chris Marshall and Gareth Wood.

TICKETS: £9 – £40 (concessions available).

For more information about the 2018 Welsh Proms click here.

To book your seats click here or call the Box Office on 029 2087 8444.