Bryn Terfel showcase moves to Southbank in London for Festival of the World

Bryn Terfel says he wants to take Welsh music to a wider audience

Bryn Terfel's music festival is making a comeback in London to showcase Welsh performers to a wider audience.

The event, dubbed Brynfest, was held annually at the Faenol estate in Gwynedd, until it was cancelled in 2009 due to financial problems.

The bass-baritone will stage the four-day event as part of the Southbank Centre's Festival of the World in July.

Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys and Welsh National Opera will be among those taking part.

Composer Karl Jenkins and the London Welsh Male Voice Choir will also feature, while more names are expected to be announced in the run-up to the festival.

"'It's an honour for me to be able to sing some of my favourite pieces of music at Southbank Centre during Festival of the World," said Terfel.

"We have some amazing music talent in Wales, but often it doesn't quite make it beyond our borders. That is what I feel this festival can do.

"For all the artists in BrynFest, this will be an incredible opportunity to be under the spotlight while the whole site celebrates music and art coming from all over the planet."

At the heart of BrynFest are four Royal Festival Hall performances of Broadway favourites, opera classics, rock and roll and Welsh choral music:

• On 4 July, Terfel will sing popular musical theatre numbers in an evening celebrating The Golden Age of Broadway.

• On 5 July, the Orchestra and Chorus of Welsh National Opera and special guests join Bryn Terfel on the Royal Festival Hall stage for an opera gala night

• 6 July will be rock night with Super Furry Animals' frontman Gruff Rhys

• On 7 July, the world premiere of Karl Jenkins' A Hero's Journey will be held as part of Wales: Choir of the World, a performance by a 500-voice choir brought together by the London Welsh Male Voice Choir.

'Artistic generosity'

Jude Kelly, artistic director of Southbank Centre, said: 'We are thrilled to be celebrating one of the biggest stars of the opera world, giving the audience the possibility of experiencing Bryn Terfel's versatility and incredible artistic generosity.

"We also feel privileged to host so much Welsh and international talent.'

BrynFest, which was launched at the Faenol estate near Bangor in 2000, was cancelled in 2009 after it ran into financial difficulties the year before.

A new world music festival, Kaya, is to be staged at the site in June.

Organisers say they will offer a mix of African, Jamaican, Caribbean and world music, along with workshops, food stalls and festival activities.