Bryn forced out of flaghip show
OPERA star Sir Bryn Terfel has been forced to postpone a long-awaited concert in Bangor on medical advice.
The bass baritone had been due to perform at the Pontio arts centre in February.
It would have been his first appearance at the theatre that bears his name and all 480 tickets were sold in less than an hour.
But on medical advice the 52-year-old, who hails from Pant Glas, Gwynedd, is having to take an enforced period of rest to protect his voice.
The concert has been rescheduled for April 20.
Sir Bryn had already withdrawn from a production of Tosca at the New York Metropolitan Opera and a series of concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra during January and early February but had said he would keep his date at Pontio.
In a statement, he said: “I’m desperately disappointed not to be able to perform at the Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre on February 8.
“I’m very grateful to the International Harp Festival and Pontio for assisting in rearranging the concert to mark Dr Osian Ellis’s 90th birthday, which will now take place on April 20.
“I sincerely hope that as many of the audience as possible can be available on the new date, and look forward to seeing you there.”
A Pontio spokeswoman said staff were contacting people who had purchased tickets on the phone and would also be writing to them.
“Tickets will be automatically transferred to the new date.
“If the date is no longer convenient, customers will be entitled to a refund and should contact the Box Office on 01248 382828,” she said.
Sir Bryn and his fiancée, former royal harpist Hannah Stone, will give the first performance of Osian Ellis’ Cycle of Welsh Folk Songs at the concert.
He had been due to take part in a gala concert to mark the opening of the centre in October 2014 but the event was cancelled because building work had not finished.
The Pontio Centre opening in November 2015 and Sir Bryn has attended a concert in the centre but has yet to take part in any event.