Fever are behind some of Cardiff’s most unique events, and I’d often heard glowing reviews of their Candlelight series, immersive concerts set within some of the most beautiful venues across the city. While their programme spans nights dedicated to artists such as Coldplay, Adele and Queen, the festive season made Candlelight: Christmas Classics performed by the Cambria String Quartet feel particularly fitting.
The event took place at the breathtaking Llandaff Cathedral, which looked even more striking when lit up in the evening. As a first-time visitor, I was taken aback by its scale and beauty, far exceeding my expectations and leaving me eager to return for another event.
Walking along the candlelit path towards the cathedral entrance, we were warmly welcomed by staff who guided us to our seats. Despite the vastness of the space and the chilly weather outside, the cathedral was comfortably heated, a welcome escape from the cold as we settled in for an hour of festive music.
Entering the nave for the first time, I was met with a breathtaking scene as warm candlelight transformed the cathedral into an intimate, cosy space. Candles scattered along the pews led towards the performance area, where hundreds of LED candles glowed and reflected across the stained glass.
With every seat filled and small Christmas trees twinkling in the background, we were ready to fully embrace the festive atmosphere as we awaited the quartet’s arrival.
Just after 7pm, the Cambria String Quartet entered the stage and began with Tchaikovsky, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker followed by traditional carols including O Holy Night and Carol of the Bells. Every note was played to perfection, with each musician complementing the others beautifully, while the cathedral’s acoustics elevated the performance even further.
Between each set of songs, members of the quartet shared brief introductions, offering insight into the pieces that they were about to perform. These moments helped to tie the concert together, giving it the feel of a carefully curated journey through Christmas music rather than a simple programme of songs.
Following the traditional carols came a selection of all-time favourites, including Jingle Bells and Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!. The arrangements were superb, with Jingle Bells standing out in particular, its playful use of pizzicato techniques showcased the quartet’s impressive synchronicity and musical precision.
This was followed by my favourite section of the evening: the film music. Highlights included Love Is All Around from Love Actually, Let It Go from Frozen, and Maestro from The Holiday. The final section turned to contemporary Christmas classics, including Last Christmas, before closing with an encore of All I Want for Christmas Is You, by which point the festive spirit in the room had reached its peak.
The selection of music, each performer’s remarkable ability and the added charm of candlelight within the cathedral combined to create an unforgettable evening and the perfect Christmas treat to set the mood for the festive season. The event was thoughtfully organised, with exceptionally friendly and accommodating staff, leaving me eager to attend another Fever concert!
For more information about Candlelight, visit: candlelightexperience.com
