This month sees the welcome return of Luminita Berariu to Pembrokeshire for the sixth consecutive year, straight from a London piano recital which she is giving in Chelsea. She is to hold a series of master classes for voice and piano at several venues around the county. She is the senior repetiteur at the Romanian State Opera in Bucharest, and was in Britain in 2002, coaching all the principals in a rare performance of the opera 'Oedipe', by her countryman George Enescu at the Edinburgh International Festival at the specific request of the conductor, Maestro Mandeal; it was broadcast on BBC Radio Three. She is well-known in the county and has held a series of master classes here each year since she first performed in the Tenby Arts Festival in 1998. The master classes are free and made possible by support from the Arts Council of Wales. This year's series has been again extended and will begin with sessions for voice and for piano to be held at Rhos-y-Gilwen Mansion on Sunday, October 17, starting at 10.30 am. This is to be followed by further evening events for voice in Haverfordwest on October 19, in Tenby on Friday, October 22 in St. Johns Church at 7.30 pm, and finally in Carmarthen on Wednesday, October 27, at 7 pm. The master classes are open to anyone who has a desire to improve their vocal or keyboard technique. But, as places are necessarily limited, it's first come, first served. Further details can be obtained by calling 'Friends of the Classics' on 01834 842523. The master classes are also of great interest and help to observers who are not actually enrolled to sing or play and so anyone with an interest in the art of voice production or piano playing will be welcome and have an enjoyable experience. It's free - no tickets are necessary. So just turn up on the day and spend a most entertaining and instructive few hours.
