Jose Carreras will fly in for Sunday's concert

There is a Spanish theme to this year's Faenol festival - the brainchild of Welsh opera star, Bryn Terfel.

Spanish tenor Jos� Carreras is taking centre stage at the event taking place on a country estate in north Wales almost at the foot of Snowdon this weekend.

And host Terfel says he has even had to learn some Spanish for the occasion.

"Everything I'm going to sing on Sunday is to do with Jos� Carreras.

"Songs that he's sung, songs from operas with a Spanish connection - I've even had to learn some in Spanish, so it's brilliant."

Superstar

Carreras is flying into Wales on Sunday to perform at the festival, now in its fourth year.

He is the latest in a string of big names to agree to perform for Terfel's fledgling event.

But the Welsh singer denied a suggestion that all he had to do was to pick up the phone and ask:'Jose, what are you doing on the Bank Holiday?'

"It's not as easy as that," said Terfel.

"I had to do a couple of concerts for him before he signed on the dotted line so there's a bit of wheeling-dealing going on.

"But the important things is he's here. He's a superstar in the classical music field - a name known all around the world."

More than 20,000 people are expected to flock to the three-day event which also has West End star Elaine Paige on the bill.

Bryn Terfel has learnt some Welsh to get Carreras to perform

Concert-goers are used to bringing picnics to the event, and each evening ends with a fireworks display.

Paige will star at the "Music Under The Stars" evening which opens the festival on Saturday.

She will perform with Terfel and other West End stars, Sally Ann Triplett, Simon Bowman and James Graeme performing an evening of showstoppers from many of the world's favourite musicals.

In an almost unrivalled setting at the foot of Snowdon, the Faenol has developed an established presence among the timetable of summer events in Wales.

The concert will introduce Hayley Westenra from New Zealand, who is just 16.

The third Dragon's Fire night of the festival will feature Welsh rock bands.

In 2001 the Faenol received the accolade of "The Greatest Show in Wales" at the Welsh Tourism Awards.