Opera star Sir Bryn Terfel is urging talented young singers from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to bid for a title that could help them follow in his footsteps to global glory.

According to the legendary bass baritone, the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is “a wonderful opportunity for talented young singers to make a mark” and “can provide a real launchpad for fledgling careers onto the global stage.”

Sir Bryn will headline the Eisteddfod’s closing concert on Sunday, July 13, in the International Pavilion. Joined by Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman, he plans to sing all the songs from his latest album, Sea Songs.

But the concert will start with the final of this year’s Pendine International Voice of the Future competition which has become a major highlight of the festival since it was launched in 2013.

Last year 28 gifted young singers entered, with Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose, 29, winning the prestigious title in a thrilling sing-off against talented Welsh soprano Manon Ogwen Parry.

The blue riband contest is sponsored by arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

The winner will be presented with the Pendine Trophy by Sir Bryn, along with a cheque for £3,000 while the runner-up will receive £1,000.

Each entrant will be required to include an audio recording as well as proof of age with their application.

Competitors, who are aged over 19 on the first day of the competition, are required to perform a contrasting programme of up to seven minutes in length for their preliminary rounds and up to 10 minutes for the final. The programmes should include works from oratorio, opera, lieder or song and be sung in their original language.

The competitors will have to navigate the preliminary round and a semi-final on Friday, July 11, before the final competition two days later.

Singers have until Thursday, February 20, to declare their interest and submit their entries. Following the closing date, a selection panel will consider the entries and choose the singers who will take part in this year’s competition.

Legendary rock singer Roger Daltrey will open the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod concert season on Tuesday, July 8 with an evening packed with classic The Who songs, solo hits, and Q&A sessions.

The following evening, a special concert will mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, featuring an uplifting performance of Karl Jenkins’ One World by an international massed choir of voices, including the Stay At Home Choir.

KT Tunstall marks the 20th anniversary of her multi-million selling debut album Eye to the Telescope, with a special one-off performance with live orchestra on the Thursday evening and globally-renowned classical crossover vocal group Il Divo performs in Llangollen for the very first time on Friday, July 11.

For competition and ticket details, visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk