DON’T MISS THESE

RENOWNED conductor Owain Arwel Hughes has spoken of his devastation at the death of his daughter, as he dedicates this year’s Welsh Proms to her.

The 75-year-old conductor said he has never been more determined to make the annual Proms a success – in memory of his beloved Lisa, who died last month after suffering from an aggressive form of breast cancer.

She died on June 29 aged 46 and Owain promised her that he would go ahead with the Welsh Proms – and that he would hold it in her memory.

As he embarks on the 32nd Proms, which kicks off at St David’s Hall in Cardiff tonight, it’s with an added vigour to make it as big, as perfect and as memorable as it has ever been.

“It’s been pretty awful as you can imagine,” he said. “There is such a sense of disbelief that she’s gone, but we are very strong as a family.

“She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February and it was a very aggressive type that’s only been discovered in the last 10 years. She had no chance.”

Owain said he spoke with Lisa before she died and promised that the Proms would go ahead, that they would stay positive and he would make it the best one ever.

“She came to every Proms and was quite musical herself. She played the violin and had great pitch,” he said.

“I told her I would dedicate it to her and I want people to know that’s what I’m doing. Everybody knew her and when I make a promise, I keep a promise.

“It’s going to be hard but everyone has been really supportive and we’ve got a great package lined up for people.”

Owain, who was born in Ton Pentre and raised in Cardiff, is hoping the Night at the Movies prom on July 28, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, brings a new crowd into St David’s Hall.

“It was Lisa who got me into this really as she would take me to see films and some of the music is amazing. I’m hoping it might bring in a new audience who have yet to discover this brilliant music played live by an orchestra.”

The Welsh Proms run from today until next Saturday.

For more information about tickets and performances, visit www.welshproms.com