Every year on 25 January, here in Wales we celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen’s Day), in memory of the Welsh princess who gave up love for herself so that we may all be lucky in our own romantic endeavours.
One of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters, it is believed that Dwynwen was born in the 5th century in Brecon, Wales. The story goes that Dwynwen fell in love with a local boy named Maelon, but due to his lowly status, and the fact that Dwynwen had been promised to another, her father forbade her from marrying him. Angered by the news, Maelon raped Dwynwen. Distraught, she fled to the nearby forest and wept, begging God to help her and in answer, an angel appeared before her, offering her a sweet draught to help her forget Maelon. The potion freezes Maelon in a block of ice, as God speaks to Dwynwen, offering her three wishes. With her first wish she thaws Maelon, freeing him from his cold demise. Her second wish is used to urge God to help all true lovers, as she chooses to abandon romance herself with her third wish; that she would never marry. To thank God, Dwynwen travelled to Anglesey and became a nun, building a convent on Ynys Llanddwyn, the ruins of which still stand to this day.
Santes Dwynwen’s history has been known across Wales for centuries. One of the most famous Welsh poets from the middle-ages, Dafydd ap Gwilym, wrote of her beauty and begged for her help in his quest for love. The Welsh poet Benjamin Williams, known by his pseudonym of Gwynionydd, penned the words for a composition for Male Voice Choir, titled Dwynwen, which was written for music composed by Joseph Parry for the 1886 National Eisteddfod in Llandudno. Joseph Parry was also responsible for writing the music for famous hymns like ‘Aberystwyth’ and ‘Myfanwy’, both of which are commonly sang by Male Voice Choirs throughout Wales. The tradition of Male Voice singing in Wales can be traced back to the 18th century, and these choirs played a vital role in keeping the songs within the public memory. Our new opera, Blaze of Glory! tells the story of a group of miners who reform their Male Voice Choir in the wake of a mining disaster, and you can follow their adventure and experience classic Welsh hymns and arias as we embark on tour this Spring.
Love is a theme that pervades operas throughout time and is just as central a theme in the tale of Mozart’s classic opera, The Magic Flute. Our protagonist Tamino must complete trials in the kingdom of the Sun to be found worthy of the love of the princess Pamina, just as his companion Papageno spends the opera searching for love. These storylines can be found in our new production of The Magic Flute, which tours as part of our Spring Season, starting in Cardiff in February.