Former Royal Harpist returns to Cardiff for Côr World Choir 34 years on
Former Royal Harpist Catrin Finch is among the first guest artists announced for the Land of Song Festival's Côr World Choir at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.
The Land of Song Festival has revealed its first guest performers for Côr World Choir. The festival, scheduled at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, is a celebration of music and Welsh culture set to take place in May 2027. The Côr World Choir will return to Cardiff for the first time in 34 years.
The festival confirmed Cerys Matthews OBE, former frontwoman of Welsh band Catatonia, singer-songwriter and BBC Radio Wales presenter Bronwen Lewis, and internationally renowned harpist and composer Catrin Finch will appear at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Sunday 9 May 2027.
Distinguished tenor Andrea Bocelli has already been confirmed as the first headliner of the inaugural festival, performing on Saturday, May 8; it will mark his first headline appearance in Wales.
The three performers will be joined by more than 20,000 singers from Wales, across the UK and around the world, supported by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Additional guest performers are set to be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
Côr World Choir builds upon Cardiff's heritage of staging the World Choir concerts, which originally took place in 1992 and 1993. In 2027, the goal is to assemble the largest choir ever gathered in Wales, with a programme encompassing Welsh, classical, contemporary and international music.
Cerys Matthews OBE said: "Can't wait to hear the power of the Cor in the stadium, it will set Cardiff alight!"
Singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis added: "I'm so excited to be a part of The Côr World Choir concert in May 2027. Most of my family are choristers, so I was brought up around the music of choirs - there's simply no other sound like it.
"It will be so special to feel the power of our voices together at this special event in one of the best stadiums in the world."
The singer is renowned for her Welsh-language interpretations of popular songs. Her version of Dolly Parton's Jolene led to a partnership with Dolly herself and her niece, Jada Star, with the bilingual track released in October 2026.
They will be accompanied by Catrin Finch, a globally recognised harpist and composer, who previously served as Royal Harpist to the then Prince of Wales from 2000 to 2004.
Ben Lewis, CEO of Young Voices and Côr World Choir, said: "Cerys, Bronwen and Catrin are three of Wales's most iconic artists, and we're thrilled to have them join us for Côr World Choir 2027.
"It's especially wonderful to welcome Catrin back after she performed at the 1993 concert, the last time it was held in Cardiff."
Choir registrations for Côr World Choir are open, with choirs invited to be part in this major event. It costs £150 to register a choir, with no additional choir member registration fees.
Find out more and sign up here.
