Following this summer’s exploration of the music and culture of Ireland, Gregynog Festival extends the 2016 season with a weekend celebration on November 18 and 19 to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the legendary triple harpist John Roberts, Telynor Cymru.
Roberts, a major figure in Victorian Wales as performer, composer and impresario, lived in Frolic Street, Newtown and is buried in St David's Churchyard nearby. The exact date of his birth is unknown, but our programme takes place on the weekend closest to his baptism: 24 November 1816.
Led by Robin Huw Bowen (pictured), the leading triple harpist of our own time, the 200th birthday party will include music, talks, exhibitions and other special events to highlight Telynor Cymru's Romany heritage and local links, including performances at Gregynog Hall.
Roberts performed at many of the great houses of Wales and the Borders with his family ensemble, The Original Cambrian Minstrels. Roberts, seven sons and a nephew once played on nine harps before Queen Victoria at Palé Hall, near Bala, during a visit she made to Wales in 1889.
The festival’s programme explores Roberts' Romani heritage through talks and demonstrations as well as featuring his own triple harp in the closing grand concert, led by the modern master of the instrument, Bowen.
On Friday, November 18, there will be a reminiscence session in the Senior Common Room at Gregynog Hall at 7.30pm with a rare chance to hear descendants of Roberts and Abram Wood sharing their family stories.
At 9pm, in the same room, there will be a free screening of Eldra, by permission of S4C and Teliesyn, of the film based on the life of Eldra Jarman, née Roberts, great-granddaughter of Roberts.
Next day, at 11.30am at St David's Churchyard, Newtown, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at Roberts’ grave led by Rev Canon Nia Wyn Morris, Rector of Newtown. The ceremony will include a performance by Bowen.
In the afternoon, at 2.30pm, in Senior Common Room at Gregynog Hall, there will be an illustrated talk by Peter Lord, the leading historian of Welsh art, on ‘The Romani in Welsh art’.
At 4pm in Senior Common Room, there will be ‘An Hour of Merriment and Mirth’ with stories and amusing anecdotes, songs, step-dancing and a demonstration of wood flower-making in the company of Peter Ingram, Romany craftsman and storyteller.
At 6.30pm, Dr Rhian Davies, the festival’s artistic director, will give a free illustrated pre-concert talk on ‘The John Roberts Collection at the National Library of Wales, including evidence of Telynor Cymru's performances at Gregynog Hall.
The grand concert takes place at 7.30pm in The Music Room at Gregynog Hall with Bowen and "The Cambrian Minstrels".
A Rover Ticket covers the whole weekend for just £30 or £10 for young people aged 18 and under. Tickets are also available for each individual event. Tickets may be booked through the festival website at http://gwylgregynogfestival.org/
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