Music and the Mabinogion-Branwen's Story-O Manning &N Thomas

Name: Music and the Mabinogion-Branwen's Story-O Manning &N Thomas
Start: 2026-07-04T15:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-07-04T15:00:00+01:00
Location: St Cadoc's Church

About

A family-friendly retelling of one of Wales’ most celebrated myths, this programme sees classical guitarist Oliver Manning and soprano Nikkila Thomas bring the story of Branwen from the Welsh Mabinogion to life through music and storytelling.

Adapted from Siân Lewis’ award-winning children’s book The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, the performance explores themes of love, kinship, sacrifice and grief. Through a tapestry of song, guitar music and storytelling, Branwen’s poignant story is reimagined for contemporary audiences.

This is a project led by Welsh Classical Guitarist Oliver Manning. In 2025, he graduated from the Royal College of Music London, with a master’s degree in classical guitar under Gary Ryan & Chris Stell. In 2023, Oliver was selected by John Williams to become a Julian Bream Trust Scholar, supporting his postgraduate studies in London. His studies were also supported by the BBC and Help Musicians. Oliver launched his career with an international solo debut in Italy for the William Walton Foundation, alongside recitals at the Wigmore Hall, Kings Place, Dora Stoutzker Hall, Budleigh Music Festival, Bath Guitar Festival, and Centro Civico,

Nikkila Thomas is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, where she earned an MSc in Performance Science with Distinction, supported by the Thomas & Elizabeth Williams Scholarship. Prior to that, she graduated with a First-Class BMus (Hons) Degree in Voice & Opera Studies from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Newly commissioned guitar works by Welsh composers David John Roche, Delyth Field, Niamh O’Donnell and Michael Triggs explore pivotal moments in the tale. Funded by the Royal College of Music’s Accelerate scheme.

Doors 2.15 pm.
Performance 3-00 pm.

Bar Facilities Available