Cor Meibion in Austria

by Robert Lloyd

The globe-trotting choristers of Côr Meibion Llanelli have returned home after their winter tour to Austria. The birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the destination for a musical journey with a Christmas theme.

The choir members performed at the renowned Salzburg Cathedral and also sang at nearby Oberndorf, the place where Stille Nacht (Silent Night) was written. They also took in a trip to some of the key locations of The Sound of Music film.

“All in all, it was a very memorable trip and one of the highlights of this our 50th anniversary year,” said choir chairman Mel Harries.

“It is yet another great example of why it pays to be a member of a choir with a great tradition of male voice singing like Côr Meibion Llanelli. You get the chance to perform in world famous locations and make friends the world over.”

The choir members were honoured to be allowed to perform at the memorial chapel to the writers of Stille Nacht (Silent Night), Franz Xaver Gruber (music) and Joseph Mohr (lyrics), in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg.

“It is possibly, THE most famous Christmas tune,” said choir musical director Eifion Thomas.

“Written in 1818, the ever-popular Christmas Carol will be celebrating its centenary in a few years.

“As a choir, we were delighted to be able to perform Stille Nacht in the original German, in Welsh and in English.

“It was a memorable occasion and one filled with emotion and the true spirit of Christmas.”

The choristers also performed at the magnificent Salzburg Cathedral.

The concert included Now The Day Is Over, Gwahoddiad, The Lily of the Valley, Mozart’s ave verum corpus and Ysbryd Y Tragwyddol Dduw.

Choir members also enjoyed a visit to St Michael’s Church in Mondsee, where the wedding scene of The Sound of Music was filmed.

Mr Thomas added: “Here, we performed Stille Nacht in front of the magnificent altar. It was a wonderful experience and one that will live long in the memory of the choristers who took part.

“The whole trip was a wonderful experience. I will cherish performing Mozart’s Ave verum in his ‘hometown’ cathedral of Salzburg. The Stille Nacht performances at Oberndorf were very special and I also enjoyed singing the solo part in Now The Day Is Over in Salzburg Cathedral.”

Côr Meibion Llanelli rehearsal sessions are at Furnace Community Hall at 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays. There is a warm welcome for visitors and potential new members.