Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel
Bryn Terfel Jones CBEis a Welsh bass-baritone opera and concert singer. Terfel was initially associated with the roles of Mozart, particularly Figaro and Don Giovanni, but has subsequently shifted his attention to heavier roles, especially those by Wagner...
NationalityWelsh
ProfessionMusician
Date of Birth9 November 1965
song use produce
If you have a recital to do, you have to memorize the songs. I never use music when I do recitals. It produces an instant barrier, both for yourself and the audience.
years cities balls
For three years, the 'Meistersinger' score was a ball and chain to me. It went with me to every city and concert hall.
thinking two sick
I think every singer should be able to jump in for a singer who has been sick, for instance, and learn an opera in two days. I know people who can do it.
voice
I work on my voice through what I have to sing.
mother children work-out
Welsh is my mother tongue, and my children speak it. If you come and live in this community you'll work out pretty quickly that it's beneficial to learn the language, because if you're going to the pub or a cafe you need to be a part of the local life.
summer winter emotional
When I watch the Olympics I become such an emotional wreck. I've always loved the Olympics, be it the summer or the winter Olympics.
choices style singing
I enjoy all aspects of singing and I'm luckily given the choice to be part of different styles of music.
thinking people house
People think top singers are overpaid, but opera houses have a top fee, which is a good thing. Of course concerts are different- everyone wants to make as much money as possible.
hope people wagner
I know many people find Wagner boring, and I'm no different, but by not being pretentious I hope to make it accessible.
front second walk
By the second day after that performance, I couldn't walk -- I couldn't even get to my front door.
demanding forward looking teeth
Falstaff is very demanding vocally but dramatically it is something to get my teeth into. I'm really looking forward to that.
amazed numbers torch
I've been amazed by the numbers that have come out to see the torch relay, so being a part of it is lovely.
best came certain changed opera people sign tied tried
People may have thought that we changed a lot. I don't think we came in with that intention. Certain things I can't stomach. But I tried to be as collegial as possible. When you sign that contract, you're tied to that opera house to try your best. But every different team will play with a different intensity.
air breath cast cent clean fresh happy itself mother per personally rehearsal room singing speaking time walked welsh
It was in Cardiff, and the cast was 60 per cent Welsh-speaking. It's the first time I've walked into a rehearsal room speaking my mother tongue, which in itself was a breath of fresh clean air from the Welsh mountains. Singing Hans Sachs is always a milestone, but I was happy to be part of such an achievement, not personally but as a company.