There’s no doubt that Britain’s Got Talent has seen some interesting acts over the years, from boy bands to show choirs to dog acts and more. But no one expected this performance of a schoolgirl choir from South Wales.
Filing onstage in their sundresses, the group of 17 struck a sweet picture. In fact, when their representative, Holly, introduced their act, a chorus of “Ahh’s” went up from the audience.
The choir consists of girls aged 12 to 17.
Some of them are schoolmates, but all of them are from the Welsh town of Llanelli near Swansea. They were formed by a married couple, John and Jean Williams, each one chosen from the Hywel Girls’ Choir. The result is Angelicus Celtis or “Celtic Angel.”
“Mr. Williams”, as the girls call him, accompanied them to the audition.
Unfortunately, as Holly explained, he was recovering from a car accident. What she didn’t add was that his wife Jean was also in the accident and didn’t make it..
“Our inspiration is our teacher, Mr. Williams,” said Holly. “He’s our hero. He fought back to be there for us and make Angelicus happen.”
Williams sat in the crowd, looking touched as the girls began their audition.
They immediately shocked the crowd with their performance of Nessun Forma, from Puccini’s opera Turandot. The song, usually performed by a tenor, is incredibly difficult. But the girls sang it beautifully and with a power that no one anticipated.
The judges were visibly moved by their performance, most notably hard-to-impress Simon Cowell, who sprang to his feet to give them a standing ovation. As for the audience, they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
Williams applauded with tears in his eyes, no doubt thinking of his late wife who never got to hear the choir perform.
“Okay, I want to say something, and I’ve heard this song a lot,” said Cowell. “This was, in my opinion, the most beautiful, incredible version. Really, really. It touched me. I thought you were sensational. I am very excited for your future.”
Many of the girls were wiping tears from their eyes, looking breathless with excitement as they heard similar sentiments from the other judges, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and David Walliams.
Walliams said it was hard to believe the group was composed of schoolgirls from Wales and not professional singers.
The judges voted them through to the next round, with what Cowell said were “four big fat yeses.”
Mr. Williams, with visible tears in his eyes, blew kisses to the girls from the audience.
He looked overwhelmed with happiness and pride. But then Cowell decided to give him his due.
“I’d like Mr. Williams to come up to the stage,” he said.
The teacher went up to shake the judges’ hands and speak to Cowell for a moment. Even though he had a rough year, he must have been intensely proud of his girls and the work they had done.
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