Performers are arriving from all over the world

Up to 80,000 people are expected at the six-day festival, which was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

Former Church of England special envoy Terry Waite, who was held hostage in Lebanon for nearly five years, will be among the visitors during the week.

Choirs will compete for the Pavarotti Trophy, donated by the Italian tenor.

Organisers had hoped the legendary opera star would be able to present the inaugural prize in person but he has been unable to include the festival in his hectic UK schedule.

Pavarotti is a very busy man - he has sent his apologies Eisteddfod spokesman Nigel Davies

Luciano Pavarotti is due to retire from performing this year, so it is hoped he can be at the festival's golden jubilee event in 2006 to present his trophy to that year's winners.

International singing star Lesley Garrett will give the first in a series of celebrity concerts at this year's festival.

Other performers during the week will include the Flamenco guitarist Juan Martin and bass singer Sir Willard White who will appear in a gala concert on Sunday evening with the Halle orchestra.

There are three outside stages as well as the main pavilion

Eisteddfod spokesman Nigel Davies said: "Pavarotti is a very busy man.

"It's his final year of performance and it would have been lovely if could have finished his performance here at the eisteddfod and been here on Saturday evening to present the inaugural Pavarotti Trophy in person.

"He won his first competition here in 1955. He has sent his apologies."

Mr Davies said competitors had already begun arriving from places as far afield as Togo, Nepal, Ghana and Trinidad.

"It's a huge operation making sure that everything goes according to plan and so far there've been no hitches. All we need now is fine weather."

Among new attractions at this year's eisteddfod are three outside stages which will provide entertainment for visitors who do not watch events on the main stage inside the pavilion.

Also, Friday sees Celtic Fusions, an evening of Celtic music and dance with bands from Europe, North America and the British Isles. The concert is modelled on the Lorient Festival in Brittany.