Cor Meibion de Cymru Choir Perform in Madeira

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

Cor Meibion de Cymru is a Welsh Male Voice Choir formed in 1982. Following a concert of 1000 Welsh Male Voice Choir Voices in London’s Albert Hall, which was attended by several American music promoters. The promoters asked for a tour of the USA, and of the 1000 choristers present, 530 said “Yes! The tour was a success, with sell-out concerts in 5 states on the East Coast of the USA!

During the wash-up meeting afterward, 153 of those involved in the US concerts voted to continue to support the project, seeing it as a ‘touring choir.’ All choir members rehearse every three weeks as they all belong to smaller local choirs. Cor Meibion De Cymru was born and immediately received the Patronage of the then Prince of Wales – Prince Charles, who has continued his Patronage, now King Charles 3^rd. The only Welsh Male Voice Choir to be bestowed with such an honour!

However, like all things, Covid-19 affected the choir and its ability to tour. But this has not deterred the group and to date, they have undertaken 24 tours – 4 USA, 3 Canada, France, Gibraltar, Eastern Europe, and Australia.

The choir has also performed 7 tours of World War 1 and World War 2 battlefields, which are incredibly emotional for both audiences and the vocalists.

The idea of a visit to Madeira was born out of a holiday visit in 2023, and the Choir is performing, in 4 locations during their stay in Madeira between the 17^th and 24^th of April.

This is their first visit to Madeira.

Madeira Programme:

Friday 18^th of April – Hotel Enotel Lido, – R. Simplício dos Passos Gouveia 29, São Martinho, 9004-576 at 18:00 (6 pm).

Saturday 19th April – 17:00 (5 pm) – Ritz Café – Av. Arriaga 33, São Martinho, 9000-060 Funchal,

Tuesday 22^nd of April – Holy Trinity Church (The English Church), Rua Quebra do Costas, Funchal. The concert starts at 17:30 (5.30 pm) and tickets are available at the door. As well as old favourites, they will be performing a new hymn ‘Archangels and Seraphim;’ that has been written by two members of Holy Trinity Church.

Wednesday 23^rd of April – at the Grand Hall of the Regional Assembly Building, Av. Do Mar Funchal at 20:30 (8.30 pm) with the Madeira Mandolin Orchestra and Grupo Coral Do Arco Da Calheta. Tickets at usual outlets.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

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