The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-15
THE NATIONAL t%x
.EISTEDDFOD
The Great ChOirs Of Merthyr, Dowlais
and Rhymney Defeated.
THE BUILTH CHOIR WINS THE PRIZE
Many Surprises at the National Els.
teddfOd Of Wales and the Musical
AdjudicatOrs Severely Criticised.
Splendid Competitions.

Bulltn Is u SIlall tOWn III forecOu-
shire, South Wales, noted for its many
mineral springs. where hundreds OF inva-
lids from all parts of the British Isles
congregate in summer for tho benefit
of their health. The town Is located
on the summit OF the Eppynt mountains
made famous by Brutus, the great
Welsh writer. Builth has been noted
for its singing from early times, yet
to capture the chief prize at the ma
tional eisteddfod of Wales was great
surprise to the musical fraternity, but
to those familiar with Builth. and Its
surrounding environments. Its invigo-
rating climate and the culture and
musical aptitude of its people, their
conquest was not at all surprising.
They have every advantage over their
competitors from the coal regions Of
Glamorganshire. Six choirs entered
the great competition in the following
order:
l. Llanelly, led by Mr.. John Thomas,
2. Merthyr Mr.. Dan Davies
3. Rhymney. Mr.. John Price.
4. Builth, led by Mr.. Llew Buallt.
5. Dowlais. Mr.. Harry Evans.
6. Holyhead. Mr.. w. s. Owen.
The competition was for choirs OF
of $50 to 1870 voices, the prize being 200
guineas and an English silver lever
watch. The test pieces were "Trip We
Gaily Ger the Glen" by Jenkins;
Where His Loud Voice Spoke in
Thunder" ny Hnndley, and How
Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps unac-
companied. The adjudicators were
Messrs F. Fl. Cowen, Joseph Bennett,
]. Fl Roberts and d. jenkins. The only
choir that sang the first piece in Welsh
was Holyhesd. Mrs. Clara Novello
| Davis accompanied the Merthyr choir.
| Intense excitement prevailed during
| the contest. 1t could scarcely have
| been greeter had the contest taken place
in South Wales but the result was un-
expected 50 far as the greater part VI
| the audience was concerned, although
musicians present Were not disposed
| to express dissent from the verdict.
| DOwlais, by sonnet means, got out Oa
| tune, and. although they sang the first
piece splenddly. they were therefore.
given up. Merthyr, Rhymney and
Holyhead seemed to be the favorites
with the audience prior to the delivery
OF the adjudication, with very gen.
eral impression in favor of Mecthyr
Still, the singing Of each choir was
fine, and the keeness Of the contest was
remarkable In view Of the tensioa,
Uf feeling between Merthyr, powlais
and Rhymney hundreds of people pres
ent retoiced that an outside choir Should
have been victorious.
| The announcement Of the victory OF
Llew Buallt and his Builth singers was
received with much applause, although
it was evident that to thousands pres.
ent another result had been anticipated.
The adjudicators stated that they had
unanimously, and without hesitation,
awarded the prize to the choir tina,
sang all the pieces most artistical1y,
with a beauty of tone, accuracy, natur-
alness of expression, and general sue
cess, and that choir Is No. 4-Bullth.
THE MALE VOICE COMPETITION.
The male voice choral competition
was also a rich musical treat, although
not quite as good as those of former
years. Two PRICES were offered, the
first being a prize OF e42. with a silver
cup to the conductor and the second
a purse of ten guineas given by Mr.. Will
liam p. Hartley, Of Liverpool. Eight
parties entered the competition n the
following order: !, Swansea; 2, Nor
riston; 3, Llanfairfechan; 4. Rhondda
8. Bangor; g. Ffestiniog; Z, Cumber.
| land, England: s. Abercarn.
The second prize was awarded to
Swansea. There was one difficulty. the
adjudicators said that had arisen, and
that was in regard to the handsome sill
yer cup to the successful conductor, but
they were glad TO state that the two
successful chOirs had agreed to sing
over during the evening concert in or
der to decide who should have the sill
YER cup.