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Prince hails new hall a 'triumph' Prince hails new hall a 'triumph'
(about 9 hours later)
Prince Charles has officially opened Wales's newest concert hall, declaring it an "acoustical triumph".Prince Charles has officially opened Wales's newest concert hall, declaring it an "acoustical triumph".
The prince, patron of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, was guest of honour at a concert in the new Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay on Saturday night.The prince, patron of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, was guest of honour at a concert in the new Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay on Saturday night.
He met members of the orchestra and the family of late composer Alun Hoddinott, after whom the 350-seat hall is named.He met members of the orchestra and the family of late composer Alun Hoddinott, after whom the 350-seat hall is named.
Mr Hoddinott's widow Rhiannon said the concert was a "wonderful" tribute.Mr Hoddinott's widow Rhiannon said the concert was a "wonderful" tribute.
The prince praised the design of the 350-seater hall, which is the new home for the orchestra, as he unveiled a Welsh slate plaque to mark the occasion. The prince praised the design of the hall, which is the new home for the orchestra, as he unveiled a Welsh slate plaque to mark the occasion.
The orchestra has moved from the BBC studios in Llandaff to a purpose-built home Prince Charles was welcomed by BBC Wales controller Menna Richards
He told guests: "Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to unveil this plaque and declare open this hall, an acoustical triumph, in memory of a great Welsh composer."He told guests: "Nothing could give me greater pleasure than to unveil this plaque and declare open this hall, an acoustical triumph, in memory of a great Welsh composer."
Mr Hoddinott forged a strong link with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, which spanned seven decades. He died last March, aged 78.Mr Hoddinott forged a strong link with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, which spanned seven decades. He died last March, aged 78.
Mrs Hoddinott said: "I wish he was here with me of course. He would have been absolutely thrilled by it, and overwhelmed.Mrs Hoddinott said: "I wish he was here with me of course. He would have been absolutely thrilled by it, and overwhelmed.
"This orchestra was the heart of his life. He was very proud to be with them, always.""This orchestra was the heart of his life. He was very proud to be with them, always."
The prince quizzed architect Tim Green, of Capita architecture, about the acoustics of the hall and complimented him on his work. The prince asked architect Tim Green, of Capita architecture, about the acoustics of the hall and complimented him on his work.
Mr Green said: "He said he was enjoying the concert very much, which was nice to hear.Mr Green said: "He said he was enjoying the concert very much, which was nice to hear.
"This is the first time I've been in here for a live performance, so I was quite moved myself. There is nothing like hearing music live, and I think the prince felt the same.""This is the first time I've been in here for a live performance, so I was quite moved myself. There is nothing like hearing music live, and I think the prince felt the same."
Prince Charles was shown to the hall's control and edit room, where he was given the opportunity to operate the volume controls on a section of the concert played back to him. Prince Charles was also shown to the hall's control and edit room, where he was given the opportunity to operate the volume controls on a section of the concert played back to him.
He said he enjoyed the concert, and was particularly impressed with pianist John Lill, who performed Schumann's Piano Concerto with the orchestra.He said he enjoyed the concert, and was particularly impressed with pianist John Lill, who performed Schumann's Piano Concerto with the orchestra.
The hall provides an intimate setting for concertsThe hall provides an intimate setting for concerts
Mr Lill, whose hand was injured in a machete attack in 2000, said: "One of the first things he said to me was: 'How's your hand?'.Mr Lill, whose hand was injured in a machete attack in 2000, said: "One of the first things he said to me was: 'How's your hand?'.
"He said how much he loved the hall. It is good of him to come to so many concerts."He said how much he loved the hall. It is good of him to come to so many concerts.
"There is a very healthy music scene here in Cardiff, and this orchestra is one of the best.""There is a very healthy music scene here in Cardiff, and this orchestra is one of the best."
Charles also met artist Lubna Chowdhary, who created a piece of tiled artwork entitled Nocturne, which is situated at the hall entrance. The prince also met artist Lubna Chowdhary, who created a piece of tiled artwork entitled Nocturne, which is situated at the hall entrance.
The 80-year-old orchestra relocated from studio 1 at BBC Wales in Llandaff to the purpose-built hall earlier this year, where they will play more intimate concerts, as well as continuing to perform at St Davids Hall in the city. The 80-year-old orchestra relocated from studio 1 at BBC Wales in Llandaff to the purpose-built hall earlier this year, where they will play more intimate concerts.
They will continue to perform at St David's Hall in the city.
BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: "It is a great occasion, not only for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, but for music in Wales; an acknowledgement that music and the arts sit at the centre of what Wales is about and how we define ourselves as a nation."BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: "It is a great occasion, not only for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, but for music in Wales; an acknowledgement that music and the arts sit at the centre of what Wales is about and how we define ourselves as a nation."
A piece of memorial artwork entitled Nocturne by Lubna Chowdhary was unveiledA piece of memorial artwork entitled Nocturne by Lubna Chowdhary was unveiled