Return of Bryn Terfel

Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel performs in Prague on Jan 20th

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 13.12.2010 11:16:18 (updated on 13.12.2010) Reading time: 5 minutes

I started singing because I come from Wales” Bryn Terfel

Worshipped as he is throughout the music world, it’s appropriate that Bryn Terfel is being acclaimed as one of the greatest ever performers of the role of chief god Wotan in Wagner’s Ring Cycle. The combination of a great voice, immaculate diction, commanding stage presence and flair for acting has made Bryn Terfel the hottest property in opera throughout the world.

Jitka Slavíková asked Bryn Terfel few questions beforehis January performance.

Maestro Terfel, in newspapers you have been titled as Prince of Wales. Pretty fitting title, isn’t it?
Not really. I would be rather uncomfortable with such a title. What I can take on board though is an ambassadorial role for my country through music. I could easily be comfortable with such an honour. I was asked once to be King of Bardsey Island. It was between me Prince Charles and Tom Jones! I think we all relinquished our kingdom! It was a ploy to bring more a interest an knowledge where this amazing small island is concerned.

Do you think that being Welsh has had an impact on your singing?

Without a doubt. From it’s Eisteddfod competitions to television and radio and the enormous support the country bestows on it’s artists. The welsh language is also of huge significance due to it’s natural singing advantages. The amazing tradition of singing be it in choirs or as soloists. And last bit not least the tradition is there and always being nurtured from all ages.

In 2000 you set up a successful Gŵyly Faenol, but unfortunately last two years it was cancelled and according to Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald from Oct. 10 there will be no festival in 2011, too. What was your purpose of this festival and will you try to re-establish it in future?

Yes I have had a festival for nine years but still searching for the elusive tenth. The recession certainly was a factor in cancelling two festivals which was a huge disappointment for me personally. The audiences certainly enjoyed what we brought to the area but maybe our agnation diminished where artists were concerned and therefore suffered. But I never say die. The tenth year will certainly be upon us by hook or by crook. Not next year but certainly in the coming future. Get good sponsors and audiences interested in the evenings is the key to unlock that decade of concerts at the Faenol.

What´s the most important prerequisite of a opera singer´s career success? And what was the most important for you?


Hard work and dedication. Constant preparation on repertoire and striving to achieve something within ones short career. Keep your feet planted firmly on the ground and and be a good concentrated colleague. Enjoy it while it lasts and make use of the talent your given to the fullest degree. Also make sure you have other interests that feathers ones cap. Golf ,wine ,books ,collecting art, snooker, movies, anything that takes you out of any given situation.

You established Bryn Terfel Foundation to support very talented young singers. How do you choose them? Is this foundation only for Welsh artists or is it open for everybody?


This is something I have just began. No scholarships have been given out as of yet. Still need to work on bringing in money to the foundation and when that’s in place full steam ahead. Certainly thinking of awards fro welsh singers but also actor and maybe the visual arts. No idea how to structure it at the moment but I can see it someday being an award that international artists may step forward. The initial thought stemmed from hearing tales from inspiring young singers leaving their studies with a huge financial burden and then taking the first offer on the table to pay off debts. Not a good way to start ones career. I hope some day it will achieve such heights as foundations like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s, it will be hard work and dedication.

Have you been lucky with a similar support at the beginning of your career?


I was lucky to win the Kathleen Ferrier memorial scholarship, our own National Eisteddfod Tywyn Roberts Scholarship and the lieder prize in the Cardiff singer of the world. They set me on the right path with a great financial boost for extra lessons, new clothes shoes, coaching, expenses. I worked hard for these benefits and was pretty fortunate to succeed.

Do you have some unfulfilled dream? I mean not only an operatic role but colleagues with whom you´d like to work?

Yes still have not performed my full Ring Cycle which will hopefully be completed with the Metropolitan opera cycle. Would certainly be interested in a new commission some day. Present singers have been eventful in my career past singers I would have adored to sing with, Franco Corelli, Gwyneth Jones, George London. Would have oven a right arm for one performance with Kleiber, Bernstein, a lieder abend with Gould or Horowitz. A Ring with Zefirelli or Ponelle!!

On www.brainyquote.com there is a quote of you: “Every singer should be able to jump in for a singer who has been sick, for instance, and learn an opera in two days.” Has it happened to you, personally?


No, but I have certainly picked up certain repertoire in a matter of days. With a little application one can work wonders and under a certain pressure. Remember ones university days ten songs memorised was like riding a bike. Early bird catches the worm. I work better early mornings and late at night. During the day I am absolutely atrocious!

For your Prague programme you have prepared some items from your wonderful CD Bad Boys, your latest CD is Carols & Christmas Songs. What are your future recordings projects?

What I want now for my future recordings are the operas that I have now performed and am comfortable with every nuance of the piece. Wagner is high on my priority list. I enjoyed the Christmas album purely because universal gave me the green light to record some of the repertoire in welsh. I will never have the opportunity again to record these songs again with a symphony orchestra. Another Schubert album is certainly on the cards maybe Winterreise? Sweeney Todd I would kill to record! Non pun intended!

How do you feel about coming to Prague again? Will you come with your family? By the way, the names of your boys Tomos, Morgan, and Deio Sion are Welsh?


I adore returning to a city. Usually the first trip is short and the possibilities to attempt to see or do things are impossible. The family will not be able to travel with me due to the children having rather busy school activities. Cest la vie. Yes the boys mes are certainly welsh with also an easy international pronunciation.

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