The glitterati of Welsh cultural life were out in force yesterday evening when the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama opened its new 160 seat theatre named in honour of actor Richard Burton.

Opening prelude

The opening was prelude to the even bigger unveiling later this week of the 450 seat Dora Stoutzker Concert Hall, which forms part of an iconic new building in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.

Represented

Welsh brass banding will be represented in force at the hall this weekend too, with the students of the Royal Welsh College Brass Band performing on Friday 24th and the City of Cardiff (Melingriffith) playing there on Saturday 25th.

I’m proud to be able to lead the students in such a prestigious event at what is a quite superb concert hallDr Robert Childs

Sought after

Dr Robert Childs will lead the students in the first ever brass band concert following the £22.5 million building project, in what he hopes will become one the Principality’s most sought after music venues.

He told 4BR: "I’m proud to be able to lead the students in such a prestigious event at what is a quite superb concert hall. We will be playing music from around the world to show that Wales now has yet another truly international standard concert hall."