Ninety Years On: New Opera Commemorates Gresford Colliery Disaster

In remembrance of the Gresford Colliery disaster, which claimed the lives of 266 men and boys in 1934, a new opera titled *Gresford - Up From Underground* will premiere this September. The tragic event, which occurred on 22 September, saw only six men escape the catastrophic mine explosion and subsequent fires. The opera aims to highlight the personal stories of those affected, focusing on themes of injustice and the resilience of the Wrexham community. The production features young musicians and singers from across north Wales, with performances scheduled in St Asaph and Wrexham. Conducted by Robert Guy, brother of the opera's creator Jonathan Guy, the project is supported by NEW Sinfonia, an orchestra established by the Guy brothers to promote orchestral music in local communities. Robert emphasized the importance of using music to engage younger generations with the historical impact of the disaster. Pendine Park, a care organization that looked after the last survivor of the Gresford disaster, Albert Rowlands, is the main sponsor of the music festival. Rowlands, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 100, was a young lamp boy at the colliery during the explosion, and his father was among the victims. Mario Kreft, director of Pendine Park, shared memories of Rowlands, highlighting the emotional weight of his experiences. Rehearsals for the opera are currently taking place at St Asaph Cathedral and Gresford Church, with the world premiere set for 12 September at the festival, followed by additional performances in Wrexham the following week.