Economic climate affects Bryn Terfel's Faenol festival

Bryn Terfel said the situation was not unique to his festival

Opera star Bryn Terfel has admitted "challenging times" are affecting his annual music festival in Gwynedd.

He said ticket sales for the 10th event on the Faenol estate in August were down in the economic climate.

The situation facing the festival was not unique but faced other events throughout Wales and the UK, he said.

Terfel added that the audiences needed understand that they had to purchase tickets "sooner rather than later" to show their commitment to the event.

"People have often said that the Faenol Festival is a crazy idea - the world coming to a field just outside Caernarfon," the singer said.

"But it's always worked, always been amazing, but I have to admit however that these challenging economic times are having an impact on us."

Terfel said there had been "a significant slow down in ticket sales following the government's budget announcement".

He said that audiences had to understand that to put on festivals, such as Faenol, they had to show their commitment "sooner rather than later".

"We have to work together - organisers and audiences - to make these wonderful, rich activities, viable," he added.

The event was cancelled last year, after nine consecutive years, before Universal Music stepped in to help stage it.

Antony Warren from Universal Music said festivals and events worldwide were seeing audiences waiting until the last minute before they buy their tickets.

"We are aware of the terrific support that the audiences of the Faenol Festival have given over the past 10 years, and are hopeful that they will come out now in force to support Bryn, his wonderful guest artists, and the Festival in this 10th anniversary year," he said.

"We want to secure not just this year's event, but the festival's future too," he added.

Coun Dewi Lewis, who leads on the economy and community with Gwynedd council, said local businesses needed the "vital" cash injection which the festival gave to the local economy.

People also needed "some light relief in these strained financial times", he added.

Artists lines up for this year's four-day event include Westlife, Rolando Villazon, Hayley Westenra, Rhydain as well as Welsh and British bands for Tan y Ddraig.

One item in this year's line-up has been changed due to "unavoidable logistical reasons".

The Battle of Britain afternoon performance will now be on Saturday 28 August, instead of Monday 30 August.

All tickets purchased for the Monday can be used on the Saturday - anyone unable to attend the new date should return their tickets to the point of purchase for a full refund.