Royal harpist Catrin Finch says the concert is just too good to miss

The internationally-renowned musician will be performing at Swansea's Singleton Park next weekend instead of honeymooning with her new husband in the romantic city of Rome.

Finch, 23, is marrying Hywel Wigley, son of former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley and international harpist Elinor Bennett, in Harlech, Gwynedd on Saturday.

The couple, who have a home in Cardiff, have been engaged for 18 months and had planned to go on honeymoon immediately after their big day, with Finch hoping to spend a week in Italy.

But when she was invited to appear at Proms in the Park, at Singleton Park, she immediately put all plans of a honeymoon on hold.

I am looking forward to my wedding day, but I am excited about Proms in the Park too Catrin Finch

Now, the wedding will be followed by rehearsals for the open air concert, while her new husband will have to be content with joining thousands of spectators in Swansea.

Despite playing in prestigious concert venues across the world, Finch was adamant this performance was one she simply could not miss.

"I am looking forward to my wedding day, but I am excited about Proms in the Park too," she said.

"We have been engaged for about a year and a half and it will be a very traditional church wedding, only the honeymoon will be a bit later than planned.

"I have played in Swansea a couple of times, but I have never played an outdoor concert in the city and never played in Singleton Park.

London's Albert Hall will link with Swansea's Proms in the Park

"The opportunity to play there and as part of the Last Night of the Proms was just too good an opportunity to miss.

"Hywel will be there and members of my family too and I am sure it will be a great night.

"We have not scrapped our honeymoon plans all together, hopefully there will be the chance to get away later in the year."

Finch, who has just launched her debut CD for Sony Classical entitled Crossing the Stone, already holds the honour of being the youngest person to perform at a BBC promenade concert at the Royal Albert Hall.

She performed there with the National Youth Orchestra at the age of 10 and again every year until the age of 16.

Fireworks

Originally from Llanon near Aberystwyth, Finch fell in love with the harp when her parents took her to a recital by Marisa Robles at the age of five.

She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and in May 2000, she received a Royal appointment as harpist to the Prince of Wales after he labelled her a credit to her country.

BBC Proms in the Park takes place in Singleton Park on 13 September as part of the UK-wide Last Night of the Proms celebration.

The concert will also feature tenor Robert Tear, West End singing star Steve Balsamo and the National Youth Choir of Wales.

After a first half of live classics including a performance by Catrin of Mozart's Harp and Flute concerto, the concert will link up via large screens with the Royal Albert Hall for the traditional Last Night finale.

A spectacular fireworks display will bring the concert to an end.