Wales: Eisteddfod Latin in language loophole

[Harold Schiffman]

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Feb 26 2008 by Rhodri Clark, Western Mail

THE National Eisteddfod will use a loophole in its "Welsh only" rule
in August to enable glamorous foreign singers to share the stage with
Bryn Terfel. One former archdruid, however, said yesterday the
Eisteddfod should put the Welsh language ahead of any desire to give
top billing to international singing stars. Since 1950 there has been
a strict rule that all Eisteddfod activities must be in Welsh, because
promoting the language is seen as the festival's primary purpose. But
the Eisteddfod's constitution permits Latin to be used if a setting of
the mass is performed on stage. Today organisers will unveil their
programme of evening concerts for this year's Eisteddfod, to be held
in Cardiff.

Tickets are expected to sell quickly for the performance – in Latin –
of Verdi's Requiem, with Bryn Terfel singing one of the solo parts. He
will be joined in the Eisteddfod's 3,500-seat pavilion by German
soprano Anja Harteros, winner of the 1988 Cardiff Singer of the World
competition, and other international artists selected by Mr Terfel. It
will be the Eisteddfod's first concert featuring star singers who
cannot speak Welsh. Eisteddfod chief executive Elfed Roberts said,
"This is the first time we have put on a concert like this and we are
proud to be putting on such fantastic talent, led by our very own Bryn
Terfel."

The decision to stage the work in Latin on August 4 did not represent
a change in the Eisteddfod's language policy, which permitted an
exception to the Welsh rule where the mass was sung in Latin. "When
the Eisteddfod was in Bridgend in 1998, Verdi's Requiem was performed
in Latin," said Mr Roberts. "When Verdi's Requiem was performed in
Mold in 1991, it was in Latin. It has been performed in Welsh as well.
This time we've decided to have not only Bryn but also international
soloists. It will be performed in Latin."
Former archdruid Dr Robyn Lewis said, "Bryn Terfel can sing in eight
or nine languages. The English National Opera, without exception,
sings in English.

The Eisteddfod should have everything sung in Welsh. "The purpose of
the Eisteddfod is to promote Welsh. "The Eisteddfod is the handmaiden
of the Welsh language. The Welsh language is not the handmaiden of the
Eisteddfod." The Welsh-only rule has been controversial since its
inception at the 1950 Eisteddfod, held in Caerphilly. The local MP,
Ness Edwards, deliberately broke the new rule when he made a speech
attacking it. In 2004 there was an outcry after former Plaid Cymru
election candidate Prof Laura McAllister switched from Welsh, her
second language, to English during a debate on the maes about the
Richard Commission's investigation of the National Assembly's
workings. When hecklers demanded Welsh, they were branded "language
fascists" by Assembly presiding officer Lord Elis-Thomas.

There have also been complaints over the years about traders, some of
whom are from England, selling food or other goods on the maes from
vehicles or stalls with English-only signs. Terfel, one of the world's
greatest opera singers, said this year's Eisteddfod would be an
eye-opener for the guest singers. "I am looking forward to welcoming
these stars to Wales and for them to experience for the first time the
culture of Wales at its best in  the National Eisteddfod," he said. He
recently starred alongside Anja Harteros in a Mozart opera at the
Metropolitan Opera in New York. The Verdi Requiem performance will
also feature the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the BBC National
Chorus of Wales. The conductor is Daniel Harding, who become a friend
of Terfel's following a performance in Stockholm. The two share a
passion for football.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/02/26/eisteddfod-latin-in-language-loophole-91466-20523317/

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