A TEENAGE violin virtuoso, a Welsh soprano and arguably the best male voice choir to perform in Milford Haven Music Festival's history combined to provide a magnificent final Gala Concert at The Torch Theatre recently.

Cor Meibion De Cymru ticked all the boxes for discipline, diction, deportment, dynamics and balance, with an exceptional blend of ringing top tenors, mellow basses and unobtrusive middle sections.

Under the sensitive baton of musical director Elaine Robins, they demonstrated their dulcet tonality and versatility with power and tenderness in perfect proportion.

Accompanist Sian Davies showed all the skill of her famous accompanist/composer father Brian, while compere Barri Hurford presented the entire concert with admirable aplomb.

In the last 32 years, the choir has sung all over the world and their thrilling sound must have heightened the emotional charge at their recent performances at Ypres and the Menin Gate at the World War One commemorations.

Cardiff-based musical prodigy Charlie Lovell Jones, 15, hypnotised his audience with his amazing virtuosity in complex, high-speed pieces by Chopin, Paganini and Prokofiev.

Accompanied by his father Simon, he held the audience in thrall with his flying fingers and blurred bow.

Swansea-born soprano Celine Forrest also thrilled with her effortless displays of vocal virtuosity in offerings from Mozart, Gounod, Meirion Williams and Roger Quilter.

Joining the choir and the young violinist in a powerful grand climax of 'When you walk through a storm'.

Ending with a standing ovation and encore, the exceptional quality of this concert more than justified the tremendous year-round work of Festival chairman and impresario June Rees.

Festival President Glan Phillips paid tribute to the generous sponsorship and support of Valero, South Hook LNG, Pembrokeshire County Council, Milford HavenTown Council, Fred Rees Garages, Pembroke Power Station Inner Wheel, Rotary, Barclays Bank and Festival Friends, all crucial to the continuation of this important festival.