Hi dave241061,
Dennis O'Neill (a doctor's son) was born in Pontarddulais, West
Glamorgan, Wales, 25 February 1948.
Dennis O'Neill, singer:
Pontarddulais - born: 25-02-1948
World famous tenor.
http://www.walesonline.com/php/disp_fam_dob.php
"Pontarddulais, West Glamorgan, UK, is a town that lies between
Swansea and Llanelli in Wales, and is on the county border with Dyfed.
It is believed by some that the meaning of its name derives from the
Welsh for 'bridge over the dark stream'. The name can be pronounced in
several ways, but Pont-uh-dill-us will get you by. Most locals call it
The Bont, for short."
"Pontarddulais no longer has any architectural or historic remains of
any significance. The town is now famous by association, as Dennis
O'Neill, the Opera singer, is one the town's sons. It is also well
regarded for its male choir, its brass band, and the bread-and-butter
pudding in the Fountain Inn."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/plain/A253676
"The First Minister: You have perhaps identified one of the great
paradoxes of this matter. With few exceptions, almost all the
outstanding opera singers produced by Wales have not come from
Cardiff; they have come from the Valleys and the Gwent valleys, for
example, Dame Gwyneth Jones from Pontnewydd and Dame Margaret Price
from Blackwood, Sir Geraint Evans from Cilfynydd?who was a miner?s
son?and Jason Howard from Merthyr Tydfil. Apart from Dennis O?Neill,
who was a doctor?s son from Pontarddulais, almost all these people
were working-class kids who became world famous opera singers. None of
them came from Cardiff. We must put that together?the talent of north
Wales, such as Bryn Terfel, a farmer?s son?with a building that is
worthy of them. They are not snobbish kids from a middle-class
background. That is what you must provide for by having this opera
house and then you?"
http://www.alisonhalford.free-online.co.uk/AC077.htm
Additional Link of Interest:
Pontarddulais History:
http://www.page-net.com/swansea.localhistory/pontarddulais/
I was glad to have found this for you. If you have any questions,
please post a clarification request before closing/rating my answer
and I'll be happy to reply.
Thank you,
hummer
Google Search Terms Used:
tenor biography "Dennis O'Neill"
Cardiff, Wales born "dennis o'neill"
Pontarddulais "dennis o'neill"
Pontarddulais |
