Super Furry Animals’ Cian Ciarán has linked up with Snowden actor, Rhys Ifans to present an orchestral odyssey into Welsh folklore…

Cian has composed the score for the BBC National Orchestra performance which is narrated by Ifans and gets its premiere in November at BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff.

Rhys & Meinir sees the Furries keyboard player cut his classical teeth to tell an ancient story of heartbreak in rural North Wales, using sublime instrumentation and spoken word. Ciarán surprised fans with the unexpected move into classical music as the Furries continue to tour to the end of 2016.

Adding a further layer of excitement and intrigue to the project, Ciarán confirms that Ifans (a former lead singer with the Furries) has recorded the Welsh-language narration for the production. As well as a voice of Ifans’ pedigree, Ciarán also welcomes the conductor, Alastair King to the fold, who brings credits as impressive as Pirates of the Caribbean and Doctor Who to the production.

Ciarán says: “The story of Rhys & Meinir was told to me as a young boy, by my father in the village of Nant Gwrtheyrn, where it is set, so has deep resonance with me. That Rhys Ifans and Alastair King have joined me and BBC National Orchestra of Wales to tell the story will do the story added justice. It’s a double tragedy and there can be no happy ending, but it’s a part of Welsh storytelling and culture, a language and identity, which in turn continues to add to the rich diversity of the world around us.”

Ifans added: “This is a story told with ingenuity and passion in each word and every note, it has the perfect blend of contrasts, of happy and sad and sweet and sour. The story is shocking, a real heartbreaker, but there’s beauty in the prose and wonder in the music.”

Rhys and Meinir takes place:

BBC Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff – Friday 4 November 2016, 8pm

Theatr Bryn Terfel, Pontio, Bangor – Sat 19 November 2016, 8pm

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