Welsh Wonders

1. 

   1. Katherine Jenkins

   The soprano who was born in Neath, Wales, and received her first vocal training as a chorister in the choir of St David’s, Neath, where she sang Sunday services.

2. 

   2. The Fron Male Voice Choir

   The Fron is one of the finest examples of the great Welsh institution, the male voice choir. It was formed in 1947 to compete at the first Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

3. 

   3. Karl Jenkins

   The Welsh composer born and raised Penclawdd, Swansea. He has worked with other leading Welsh artists including Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Only Men Aloud.

4. 

   4. Charlotte Church

   The singer who achieved fame as an 11-year-old schoolgirl. She was born and raised in Cardiff.

5. 

   5. Elin Manahan Thomas

   Elin is known in her Welsh homeland as 'soprano bach', meaning 'little soprano'. The name also reflects Elin's passion for music by Bach and other Baroque composers.

7. 

   6. Rhydian Roberts

   The X Factor star's classical album, O Fortuna, pays homage to his Welsh heritage. It features works by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins and joint performances with Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and a male voice choir.

8. 

   7. Bryn Terfel

   The son of a Snowdonian farmer, the first works Bryn Terfel learnt to sing were Welsh traditional songs. He now lives in Caenarfon with his wife and children.

9. 

   8. Catrin Finch

   Catrin Finch's passion for the harp was ignited when she was given a Celtic harp as a present for her sixth birthday. The young Catrin showed a prodigious talent for Wales' most ancient of instruments and spent the best part of her school years studying with the country's leading harpists.

10. 

    9. Natasha Marsh

    You might be surprised to hear that Natasha Marsh is Welsh. She was born in Brecon, Wales, and although her family moved to Devon when she was one, she says she still feels Welsh. In 1999, in her early 20s, she was crowned M.O.C.S.A. Young Welsh Singer of the Year.

11. 

    10. Only Men Aloud

    These 20 young men from South Wales rocketed to stardom following their success on the TV show Last Choir Standing in 2008. Their second album, Band of Brothers, which won NS&I Album of the Year at the Classical BRITs 2010, includes Welsh traditional anthems.

13. 

    11. Wynne Evans

    The star of the Go Compare adverts is a serious tenor in his own right and is soon to release a solo album.

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