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Classic FM Live with Laithwaite's Wine: behind the scenes
The Classic FM team, Laithwaite's Wine, and a host of classical music's brightest stars are in the Wales Millennium Centre to celebrate Valentine's Day - join us and take a look around the venue for tonight's Classic FM Live concert.
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1. Tim Lihoreau and Claire Jones
Tim Lihoreau and Claire Jones bond over a glass of wine. Picture: Richard Johnson
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2. Empty chairs at empty tables...
This is where we're doing all our backstage interviews from - as you can see, we're keen to make our guests feel as refreshed as they can be.
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3. Tim Lihoreau and Craig Ogden
Craig Ogden and Tim Lihoreau smile for the camera backstage at Classic FM Live. Picture: Richard Johnson
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4. Inside the Millennium Centre
We're in the bar (where else would we be?) at the Millennium Centre, with a gorgeous view.
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5. Claire Jones
Claire Jones shares the story behind Heartstrings, the piece composed for her by her husband Chris Marshall. Picture: Richard Johnson
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6. Welcome to Classic FM Live!
Making sure everyone feels welcome when they arrive at the Wales Millennium Centre.
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7. Tim Lihoreau interviews Craig Ogden
Tim and Craig chat before an impromptu performance. Picture: Richard Johnson
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8. Tim Lihoreau and Claire Jones
Cheers! Claire Jones and Tim enjoy a cheeky tipple backstage. Picture: Richard Johnson
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9. Craig Ogden performs
Craig Ogden treats us to a performance ahead of tonight's romantic concert. Picture: Richard Johnson
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10. Roses are red...
Can you guess the theme for Classic FM Live this February 14th? We're keeping it very firmly under wraps, obviously.
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11. Margherita Taylor, John Suchet and Tim Lihoreau
The three presenters have a chat backstage. Picture: Richard Johnson
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12. Tim Lihoreau and Craig Ogden
Tim interviews Craig ahead of tonight's performance, where he'll be playing Inspired by Howard Goodall. Picture: Richard Johnson
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13. HJ Lim backstage
HJ Lim shares her thoughts on Rachmaninov. Picture: Richard Johnson
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14. Margherita Taylor and John Suchet
A romantic Valentine's Day interview with Margherita Taylor and Prince Charming, John Suchet. Picture: Richard Johnson
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15. The audience arrive
This picture, snapped by Louise Davies, captures the atmosphere before the concert starts.
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16. Tim Lihoreau and Craig Ogden
The Waxed Bat. No, we're not talking about Tim Lihoreau as he interviews guitarist Craig Ogden - it's the name of the wine on the table! Picture: Richard Johnson
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17. Tim Lihoreau and HJ Lim
Tim Lihoreau and HJ Lim smile for the camera backstage. Picture: Richard Johnson
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18. Craig Ogden plays guitar backstage
Tim is impressed as Craig Ogden serenades us with romantic guitar music. Picture: Richard Johnson
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19. HJ Lim and Tim Lihoreau
Rachmaninov and wine - a match made in heaven? Tim and HJ Lim certainly think so. Picture: Richard Johnson
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20. Capturing the atmosphere
Soaking up the atmosphere in the Wales Millennium Centre, the guests chat in the interval - enjoying a glass of wine.
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21. Wynne Evans and Tim Lihoreau
No wonder Wynne Evans is smiling - he's got a glass of bubbly! Picture: Richard Johnson
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22. Wynne Evans and Tim Lihoreau
Wynne Evans shares his Valentine's Day plans with Tim. Picture: Richard Johnson
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23. No sinking feeling today
The surroundings for tonight's concert are truly stunning - here's a pic of the harbour just outside the Millennium centre.
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24. Where the action is...
The Wales Millennium Centre looks splendid in the morning sunlight (before it started raining, obviously).
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25. Classic FM taking over
We like to pay attention to the little things. Especially the little comfy things.
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26. Orchestra of Welsh National Opera Leader David Adams
David Adams and Tim Lihoreau share a drop of Laithwaite's wine and a chat before a rehearsal. Picture: Richard Johnson
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27. Setting the stage
The interior of the Millennium Centre, where the stars will take the stage.
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28. HJ Lim warms up
Giving us a quick burst of the Rach 2 ahead of her performance tonight, it's HJ Lim!
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29. Out and about in Cardiff
The Millennium Centre is surrounded by some beautiful architecture.
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30. Welsh Dragon
No prizes for guessing where we are - even the decor in the foyer is proudly Welsh.
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31. Hovering over the Millennium Centre
This beautiful metallic sculpture hovers above the ground in the Millennium Centre as visitors arrive - at the moment, there's a live recital going on in the foyer!
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32. We're here!
We're fully settled in at the Millennium Centre now - we've even put banners up outside to let everyone know we're here.
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33. Wynne, is that you?!
The corridors of the Millennium Centre are covered in pictures of previous performances.
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34. Jamie Crick, Wynne Evans, HJ Lim, Jane Jones and Craig Ogden
Performers, presenters, and management all come together after the show - and it's smiles all round.
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35. The stars of the show!
Claire Jones, Jamie Crick, Margherita Taylor, John Suchet, HJ Lim, Jane Jones, Wynne Evans and John Brunning enjoy some well-earned drinks after Classic FM Live.
