Main Performers | Hannah Jones, Maldwyn Humpheries, Martha Davies, D Price, Eleanor Rees, Mary Owen, Eos Morlais, Lucas Williams, Wilfred Jones, Annie Williams
F W Griffiths - flute, John Thomas - harp |
Set List | Presidential Address (Clwydfardd Arch Draid of Wales), Choir Competition
Concert: 'Let the Hills Resound', H Brinley Richards, 'Only Once More', Moir, 'The Bird that Came in Spring', Benedict, 'Chwyfiwn Faner', W Davies, 'Mor Swynol Ydyw'r Nos', D Emlyn Evans, 'Light in Darkness', Cowen, 'Danse de Concert', F W Griffiths, 'Let the Bright Seraphim', Handel, 'Myfanwy', D. Emlyn Evans, 'The Sands of Dee', Clay, 'In This Hour of Softened Spendour', Pinsuti, 'Y Blodeuyn Olaf', J Ambrose Lloyd, 'Yr Haf', Gwilym Gwent, 'Alawon Fy Ngwlad', Owain Alaw, 'Morwynig Aeron', R.S. Hughes, 'Y Ffrwd', Owain Alaw, 'Ar Don O Flaen Gwyntoedd', Joseph Parry, 'Y Milwr Dewr', Joseph Parry, 'Dafydd Y Gareg Wen', Thomas, 'Rhyfelgyrch Gayr Harlech', 'Y Gardotes Fach', Joseph Parry, 'The Troubadour', McFarren, 'Y Golomen Wen', R S Hughes, 'Gwyndaf Y Mynach', Joseph Parry, 'Clyw Gan Yr Hedydd', Alaw Ddu, 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', James |
Performance Notes | The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the most important festival held annually in Wales, dating back to 1861 and usually takes place in the first week of August. When it was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1887, it was the fifth time it had been held outside of Wales since its foundation - the other non-Welsh locations being Chester (1866), Birkenhead (1878-1879), Liverpool (1884).
The event spread over four days consisted of competitions in the Welsh language in Music, Poetry, and Art. £800 in musical prizes were awarded. A £200 prize was awarded for the best performance by choirs of Bach's 'I Wrestle and Pray, Lover's 'Acis and Galatea', and Beethoven's 'Come With Torches'. A prize of £100 for Welsh choirs and a prize of £50 was awarded for male voices only (open internationally), for the best performance of Sullivan's 'Beleagulred' and 'Is This He?', and Beethoven's 'Engedi'.
The musical adjudicators included Sir Arthur Sullivan, Randegger, Sir Wlter Macfarren, Dr Parry, Jenkins, John Thomas (harpist to Queen Victoria), John Thomas, Llanwytwd, Gwanwyn D Emlyn, Dew Lydd Moddfa and J H Roberts.
"It is anticipated that the London gathering will eclipse all others, and that there we united action between North and South Wales, not withstanding a certain feud caused at the Liverpool gathering." (South Wales Daily News, 4 September 1886)
Mr J H Puleston MP - Cymmrodorion Society - Chairman of organising committee, Mt Stephen Evans JP - Cymmrodorion Society - Chairman of the executive committee, Robert Arthur Williams - Chair John Cadfan Davies - Crown |
Related Archival Material | Programme (RAHE/1/1887/2), Illustrations, Ticket (RAHE/8/5/1887/2) |
Ticket Prices | 1s (gallery)-6s (stalls) or 25s (back arena season ticket)-40s (stalls seaon ticket) |