AN Abergavenny harpist is set to play with world-famous baritone Bryn Terfel in the Welsh National Opera's latest sell-out production Falstaff.

Katherine Thomas, 33 of Haul Fryn, South Clydach is principal senior harpist with the WNO and has played with some of the greatest operatic voices in the world.

Lesley Garrett, Jose Carreras and Katherine Jenkins are among the host of stars the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama-trained performer has appeared with.

But she is absolutely delighted to be kick-starting her three month tour of the UK performing Falstaff on March 1 at the Wales Millennium Centre and hopes it will go smoother than the last time she toured with the company.

"We toured with the production of La Bohème to Hong Kong last year and the set was a whole cargo load that took six weeks to transport from Cardiff," explained Miss Thomas.

"But it got stuck in customs and we were having real palpitations hoping that it would arrive in time."

Miss Thomas started playing the harp at the age of seven when she was at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Rhydfelen, Pontypridd.

"Back then, it was only popular in Welsh-speaking schools as a symbol of traditional Welsh music.

"But now it seems to have taken off in all schools and is learnt by people ranging from six to 70. That's the nicest thing, you're never too young or old to learn," she added.

As well as teaching the harp, she plays at weddings and has won various titles including first prize at the World Harp Festival in Cardiff in 1992 and won the blue riband prize at the National Eisteddfod in 1992.

She is a member of the bardic circle under her bardic title 'Telynores Glannau'r Taf' or 'Harpist of the Bank of the Taff' and will feature when the Welsh festival of literature, music and dance comes to Cardiff this summer.

"I accompany singers in the Eisteddfod competitions. That's the best part of my job, having the opportunity to listen to so many wonderful singers," she added.