What have Mansel Thomas, the famous composer and conductor, Roderick Williams, the experienced baritone, and our choir member Peter Davies got in common?
Peter Davies
Family relations. That makes for an impressive musical family pedigree.
Barmouth born Peter has also lived in Flint, Holywell, Llanfair DC and Denbigh.
A member of Denbigh and District Male Voice Choir for over 4 years.
He enjoys the well documented camaraderie of being part of such a congenial group.
Peter’s distinctive and powerful baritone voice has been in much demand.
Hence, he has experience of choral singing with St Marcellus Choir/Thomas Howells Choir, Dee and Clwyd Choral Society and St Asaph Choral Society.
Peter Davies and Ruthin Operatic Society
In addition, he also gave sterling service to the Ruthin Operatic Society.
“I joined the Society very reluctantly when it was founded in 1975. I had never done any singing or acting in public before,” Peter recalls.
“Naturally, I didn’t want to take any of the prominent musical roles in the first show, which was ‘HMS Pinafore.’ I ended up being cast as Captain Corcoran. A very prominent part!
Consequently, after that I played major musical roles in almost every production until I left the society in the early nineties.”
Click on the photographs below for more detail.
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- Curly McLain in Oklahoma
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- Sir Despard Murgatroyd in Ruddigore
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- Danilo in The Merry Widow
Peter Davies and Ruthin Operatic Society
Peter Davies Musical Family
All of this musical talent must clearly be due to genetics. One of Peter’s uncles is the Welsh composer, conductor and adjudicator Mansel Thomas OBE.
He was one of the most influential musicians of his generation. From 1946 until 1965 he was principal conductor of the BBC Welsh Orchestra.
It’s not surprising either that Peter’s favourite singer is baritone Roderick Williams, who happens to be his nephew.
Roderick has appeared as a soloist with English National Opera, Opera North, Scottish Opera, and The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He has also appeared on ‘Last Night of the Proms.’
Peter enjoys a wide range of music including the baroque composers, particularly Bach. Other classical musical influences are grand opera such as Verdi’s ‘Nabucco’ and major oratorios such as ‘Verdi’s Requiem.’
He also admits to a liking for Bluegrass music and, at one time, was a fan of Pink Floyd.
But be careful not to mention heavy metal!
Peter Davies Choir Roles
Peter’s rich baritone voice has not gone unnoticed in the choir. He sings solo parts in two popular choir songs. Namely ‘The Rose’ and ‘You Raise Me Up.’
Both songs are featured on the choir CD ‘Voices from the Vale[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B00JS243XQ” cloaking=”default” height=”160″ localization=”default” locale=”UK” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S5rHXPgpL._SL160_.jpg” popups=”default” tag=”denanddismalv-21″ width=”160″].’
The highlight of his time with the choir is the trip to Biebertal in 2013. Peter is a staunch supporter of the Denbigh/Biebertal Twinning Association and states:
“I had been asked so many times to get the choir to go over to Germany. I’m so glad we were able to go. It made the 25th Twinning Anniversary very special to them.”
Moreover, it’s hoped that this talented singer will find more songs to sing with the choir in the future.
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