Photographs by Colleen Gauntlett. Click on the images to enlarge
From tales of monks at their prayers and toils, trials and temptations from the devil, ghostly tales, a King burning the Abbey in defiance of the Pope, the consequent crumbling and decay of walls by man, nature, industrial heritage and pollution through to the birth of the tourist industry and poems from Wordsworth and paintings by Turner, Tintern Abbey once more came alive to the sound of singers, poets, actors, the violin and the harp as the history of the abbey was laid before 200 visitors leisurely enjoying the sights and magnificent stonework of one of the greatest Cistercian Abbeys of medieval times on a glorious sunny May 17th evening.
As the penultimate part of the month of May’s River Festival through the Valley of the Wye from Hereford, through Ross, Monmouth, Tintern and finally Chepstow, which saw pageants, light shows, fireworks, re-enactments, music and theatre, fittingly to celebrate the magnificent beauty of the River in all its glory, Caldicot Male Voice Choir was invited to finalise the Tintern Village’s contribution to the Festival at the wonderful ruins of Tintern Abbey, set in the reflections of glorious sunshine on a magical May evening.
Swathed in the golden rays of the setting sun, resounding and echoing from the walls of the ancient Abbey and in competition with the myriad of soaring, singing swifts, the Choir treated the thrilled audience to a portfolio including Welsh traditional hymns, Llanfair and Laudamus, the celebration of the beauty of Wales in this glorious setting with O Gymru with soloist Tommy Hole, the memory of 100 years since the birth of Dylan Thomas with Eli Jenkins Prayer from Under Milk Wood, to Elton John’s Lion King Can You Feel the Love Tonight, with soloist Siân Hatton and the Elvis hit, You Were Always on My Mind.
With Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau echoing from the walls, the audience knew that they were privileged to have been part of a unique occasion which will live long in the memory of all those who were there.
Many thanks to Festival organisers Barbara and Herbie Girardet for inviting us to be a part of their celebrations and for inviting us back to Tintern Community Hall for refreshments afterwards
To see a selection of videos of our musical items please visit You tube, or our Facebook page – just do a search for Caldicot Male Voice Choir on either.