29 May 2007

World class performers including José Carreras, Bryn Terfel, Rebecca Evans, Gwyn Hughes Jones and pianist, Llŷr Williams top the bill this summer on S4C as the Channel prepares to broadcast over 300 hours of live TV from the country’s top events.

The coverage begins this week with the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Carmarthen. S4C is providing 90 hours of live coverage as well as daily highlights programming from this acclaimed annual youth festival, the largest of its kind in Europe.

S4C and the Urdd will also webcast the event live on s4c.co.uk/urdd and urdd.org, while there’ll be a chance to view extra items and video clips on-line up to 35 days after the Eisteddfod. A ‘red button’ service will also give viewers on Sky the option to switch freely between coverage on S4C digidol and S4C2.

The appearance of world-famous operatic tenor, José Carreras is the main highlight of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. His concert on the final night, Sunday 15 July, will be shown live on S4C.

Gwyn Hughes Jones and Llŷr Williams share the limelight in a concert at the National Eisteddfod on Saturday, 11 August, which will be televised live on S4C, along with comprehensive daily broadcasts from the country’s premier cultural event.

Bryn Terfel heads an impressive line-up at the Faenol Festival on Saturday, 25 August to be shown in highlights programmes on S4C. The Faenol line-up also includes Spanish baritone, Carlos Alvarez, Mexican tenor, Ramón Vargas and Welsh soprano, Rebecca Evans.

In July, S4C will offer comprehensive coverage of the Royal Welsh Show, while other festivals covered by S4C this summer include world music festival, Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau. At HSBC Brecon Jazz, the artists include music legends, Jools Holland, Humphrey Lyttleton, Lulu and the Big Chris Barber Band. S4C will also broadcast from the Festival of Harness Racing in Tregaron, west Wales at the end of August.

Rhian Gibson, S4C Director of Commissioning, said, “Over the summer months, Wales’ main events will get a prominent place in our schedule. Our programming includes coverage of all the major festivals that bring music from across the world to Wales. In addition, S4C will be the automatic choice for full coverage of the Royal Welsh Show.”

Ends

Editor’s notes

S4C will broadcast from the following events:

Urdd National Eisteddfod (held 28 May – 2 June)

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (held 10-15 July)

Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau (held 20-21 July)

Royal Welsh Show (held 23-26 July)

Flintshire and District National Eisteddfod (held 4-11 August)

HSBC Brecon Jazz (held 9-12 August)

Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival (held 24-27 August)

Tregaron Races (held 24-25 August)

Please see local press or visit s4c.co.uk for detailed information