To welcome our new and returning students to the College, we’ve put together a list of not-to-be-missed performances, which showcase the quality and diversity of the artistic programme right here on their doorstep this term.
And thanks to the generous support of accommodation provider, Liberty Living, RWCMD students are eligible for complimentary tickets for many performances – and others (marked *) are just £3. Ask at Box Office or visit The Hub for full details and make sure you get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Even if you’re not fortunate enough to be a student at RWCMD, but you are a Liberty Living tenant in Cardiff, you can still get your hands on £3 tickets for selected performances, saving you up to £15.
Public tickets, including concessions, for all performances can be purchased online now.
1Prizewinner’s Recital
Wed 30 Sept, 1.15pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
Michael in the Dora Stoutzker Hall, with Ian Stoutkzer after winning the prestigious prize
Back in July, baritone Michael Lowe completed the third year of his undergraduate studies at RWCMD, winning the College’s prestigious Ian Stoutzker Prize. In this recital he will perform a programme of songs and arias accompanied by RWCMD student Conal Bembridge-Sayers.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: You will be blown away by the incredible talents of this young singer, as he performs his own programme of contemporary songs in English, some of his own compositions, as well as the more traditional pieces that won him this prestigious prize.
2Llŷr Williams, Beethoven Piano Series *
Thurs 8 Oct, 7.30pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
Internationally celebrated Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams returns to RWCMD for the second of a three-year Beethoven Sonata Cycle.
“an already astonishing interpretation continues to evolve and deepen.”
The Guardian
Why you shouldn’t miss it: The series has already received critical acclaim and is being performed exclusively at RWCMD and at The Wigmore Hall.
3Musical Theatre Showcase
Mon 12 Oct, 7.30pm; Tue 13 Oct, 1pm, Richard Burton Theatre
Your chance to see the latest musical theatre talent emerging from the College. There will be two performances of the Musical Theatre Showcase at RWCMD before it moves on to London. Later in the term, you will have another chance to see them perform as the Richard Burton Company in a major production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: The Showcase is where the students really get to show what they can do: two minutes each to sing and perform in front of agents, casting directors – and you – right at the start of their professional careers.
4Catrin Finch: Tides *
Fri 16 Oct, 7.30pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
International harpist and Artist-in-Residence, Catrin Finch, returns to RWCMD for the final date of her Tides UK Autumn Tour – part of the College’s Collisions series bringing the best in contemporary music to Cardiff.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: For the first time, Catrin will be performing her own music from her new album, Tides, much of which she composed during her recent postgraduate studies at RWCMD.
5
Rachmaninov at the Piano
Weds 21 Oct, 1.15pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
As part of a three-month-long Cardiff-wide Rachmaninov festival, Royal Welsh College pianists Anthony Cheng, Francis Goodwin, Sioned Evans, Jack Bird, George Fradley and Joseph Tong perform Rachmaninov at the Piano. Continuing the celebrations of this much-loved Russian composer, trombonist Ian Bousfield performs a lunchtime recital before his masterclass with RWCMD brass students on Friday 20 November. See facebook.com/cdfrach or #CardiffRach15 for full details of Cardiff Rachmaninov.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: Lose yourself in the Romantic, beautiful and haunting music of this much-loved Russian composer.
6The Emerson Quartet
Wed 18 Nov, 7.30pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
The Emerson Quartet performing to students in the Dora Stoutzker Hall last year on their first ever visit to Wales
One of the world’s greatest chamber ensembles, The Emerson Quartet (including Welshman Paul Watkins, who currently holds the post of Jane Hodge Foundation International Chair in Cello at RWCMD) return to the College to work with students and perform in the Dora Stoutzker Hall. This is likely to be a sell-out performance so snap up one of the last few tickets before it’s too late.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: This is a rare UK performance by the multi-Grammy award-winning quartet, performing three supreme masterpieces from the heart of their repertoire.
7AmserJazzTime: Gilad Hekselman Trio (*£3, or free to Jazz students)
Fri 20 Nov, 7.30pm, Dora Stoutzker Hall
(Luna Jazz Ensemble, 5.30pm, Foyer)
AmserJazzTime is the College’s hugely popular weekly jazz session presenting some of the most exciting young jazz musicians on the scene, alongside special guest artists. This date marks the start of a Wales Tour supported by Arts Council Wales, in which RWCMD’s Luna jazz ensemble will support jazz guitarist, Gilad Hekselman and his Trio. The tour, which aims to take jazz out to new audiences across Wales, also includes dates in Neath, Newtown and Holyhead.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: The College is fast becoming the ‘go-to’ venue for live jazz in Cardiff. Come and see what it’s all about.
8Beethoven 9 *
Sun 22 Nov, 3pm, St David’s Hall
International Chair in Conducting Carlo Rizzi in rehearsal with students at Hoddinott Hall for last year’s War Requiem, performed at St David’s Hall
Maestro Carlo Rizzi returns to conduct an ensemble, which includes almost every one of the College’s music students in a landmark performance of Beethoven’s magnificent Symphony No 9 – Ode to Joy – at St David’s Hall. Following the enormous success of last year’s War Requiem, this hugely ambitious project will bring together the massed forces of the College as well as featuring special guests.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: Universally considered to be the crowning achievement of Beethoven’s career, this is possibly one of the greatest compositions in Western music.
9The Taming of the Shrew
Wed 2 – Sat 12 Dec, 7.30pm,; 4 & 8 Dec, 2.30pm, Richard Burton Theatre
For this production by the College’s Richard Burton Company, RSC director Iqbal Khan, has set Shakespeare’s boisterous play in the swinging sixties, taking inspiration from the period when the great Welsh actor Richard Burton was at the height of his powers. If that leaves you hungry for more Shakespeare, the company also performs Macbeth at Chapter the same week.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: Expect battle to commence as Petruchio attempts to control his notoriously shrewish bride in an era when radical feminism is on the rise.
Capture the end-of-term spirit and get in the festive mood with a packed seasonal programme, which includes concerts by the Royal Welsh College Chamber Orchestra and Royal Welsh College Brass Band as well as Britten: A Ceremony of Carols, a Jazz Time Carols Special, Christmas Snowsongs and our Winter Opera Gala – an evening of operatic extracts with our talented singers.
Why you shouldn’t miss it: In the spirit of the season, show your support for the College’s emerging artists as they present you with a smorgasbord of festive entertainment…
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