Full information on Caradogfest and all festival events is now available at the Caradogfest website
www.caradogfest.com
Every resident and visitor to Aberdare will be familiar with Caradog (Griffith Rhys Jones). His statue stands in the centre of the town, and has dominated Victoria Square since 1920
A former blacksmith at the Llwydcoed ironworks, Caradog was an accomplished violinist, conductor and choral leader. When, in 1872, a virtuoso mixed choir was created in South Wales to compete at the Crystal Palace, London for a One Thousand Guineas Challenge Cup, Caradog was chosen to train and lead it.
The members of that choir, the Côr Mawr, came from across South West Wales - Llanelli, Neath, Merthyr, Rhondda, Pontypridd -and, of course, Aberdare. Aberdare was the choir headquarters, its chairman, treasurer and secretary were all Aberdare men, and the largest number of singers (150) were from Aberdare. Many rehearsals were held in the town including the final rehearsal.
The competition was held at the Crystal Palace in July 1872, and the One Thousand Guinea Trophy was brought home to Wales. Today, it resides at St Fagans National Museum of History and is on permanent display as the "Caradog Cup"
A former blacksmith at the Llwydcoed ironworks, Caradog was an accomplished violinist, conductor and choral leader. When, in 1872, a virtuoso mixed choir was created in South Wales to compete at the Crystal Palace, London for a One Thousand Guineas Challenge Cup, Caradog was chosen to train and lead it.
The members of that choir, the Côr Mawr, came from across South West Wales - Llanelli, Neath, Merthyr, Rhondda, Pontypridd -and, of course, Aberdare. Aberdare was the choir headquarters, its chairman, treasurer and secretary were all Aberdare men, and the largest number of singers (150) were from Aberdare. Many rehearsals were held in the town including the final rehearsal.
The competition was held at the Crystal Palace in July 1872, and the One Thousand Guinea Trophy was brought home to Wales. Today, it resides at St Fagans National Museum of History and is on permanent display as the "Caradog Cup"
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Caradogfest 2022
July 2022 marked the 150th anniversary of the epic achievements of Caradog and the Cor Mawr. In honour of the occasion, a 400 strong choir from Aberdare was drawn together, recreating the epic performance of the Côr Mawr at Library Square, Aberdare The event also featured massed children's chorus, brass band and guest soloists, plus individual choral performances throughout Aberdare town centre throughout the day The event was a tremendous success drawing large crowds at all locations throughout the town, and it is aspired to repeat the event again on the 150th anniversary of the Cor Mawr's second performance at the Crystal Palace, London which took place in 1873 The full schedule of events and information on the festival, together with a series of images from all events, including the concerts at St Elvan's, the procession and performances throughout the town, and images of the Caradogfest exhibitions, are all now available at the Caradogfest website www.caradogfest.com #Caradogfest |
