About Us

Musicfest

Every summer, Musicfest programmes world-class musicians from Wales and around the world, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Llŷr Williams, Catrin Finch, ensembles like the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, Welsh National Opera Orchestra, Sinfonia Cymru, the Solem Quartet and Pocket Sinfonia, jazz and folk artists like Tomos Williams, the Art Deco Trio and Owen Shiers (Cynefin). We perform all kinds of music, from world premieres to classical favourites. We also give a platform to Aberystwyth’s wonderful community orchestra, Aberystwyth Philomusica, our distinguished tutors, and emerging young musicians, as well as a variety of local groups through Musicfest Xtra.

Meet the Team

Iwan Teifion Davies

Artistic Director

Welsh conductor Iwan Davies is Artistic Director of Aberystwyth Musicfest. At the Salzburger Landestheater from 2017-20 he conducted repertoire ranging from Rossini to Philip Glass. He has conducted numerous operas for the Buxton International Festival, where he is Head of Music, as well as for English Touring Opera, Music Theatre Wales, and with the Welsh National Opera orchestra. A champion of Welsh music, he has commissioned and conducted numerous world premieres, including Gareth Glyn’s opera film for Channel 4 and S4/C, Fires of the Moon, premiered at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. He trained at the Guildhall and the National Opera Studio.

 

Joan Rowlands

Festival Manager

I have been involved with Musicfest for a number of years. Being the Festival Manager is very absorbing, dealing with all aspects of the organisation of the festival and the summer school. Elements of my earlier work have been useful, firstly my experience with the Inland Revenue dealing with accounts and secondly my later career as a lecturer in Aberystwyth University, teaching classics. These posts have given me experience in organisational skills and people skills, the former dealing with financial procedures, the latter with students, human resources, teaching. My interest in music has been revitalised by the music education of my daughter, who attended the Musicfest summer school.

Aberystwyth: Home of Musicfest

Aberystwyth is a vibrant cultural centre on the coast of West Wales, home to Aberystwyth University and the National Library of Wales. Aberystwyth Arts Centre is central to our activities, and the majority of Musicfest concerts take place there. We also perform in local churches, the Ceredigion Museum, Theatr Arad Goch, and more informal venues in the town. The stunning backdrop of Cardigan Bay makes Aberystwyth the perfect place to spend your summer.