A story about a BIG Dragon, a wise little girl, and some foolish grownups!
Commissioned in 1999 as a companion piece for Peter and the Wolf. The composer is MERVYN BURTCH. First performance at Ribchester Festival in 2000.
The First Dragon celebrated his 10th anniversary on 2010. There have been more than 25 performances (Mervyn and I have lost count!)
The Welsh Sinfonia and the Lower Machen Music Festival were early supporters of the First Dragon.
In partnership with Ty Cerdd the National Music Centre for Wales, and the Welsh College of Music and Drama Chamber Ensemble, the First Dragon has had performances at the Wales Millennium Centre, The North Wales International Music Festival, and the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea.
It's now part of the Ty Cerdd 'Young Composers' series. Children hear the story and the music, write and record their own musical versions, and then hear the piece performed live.
Charlotte Griffin, Education Co Ordinator at Ty Cerdd, has made beautiful illustrations for the story.
It was recorded at Sonic One Studios in 2007. Adrian Partington, who commissioned the piece, conducted the Dragon Sinfonia, who were mostly members of the National Orchestra of Wales. Francesca narrated.
