Bryn Terfal, King of Opera & King of Bardsea
Sample Welsh Baritone Bryn Terfal’s Latest CD Release ‘First Love’
Jan 18, 2009
Genial giant of the opera world, Bryn Terfel Jones was born in 1965 in Pantglas, North Wales, son of a farmer. His latest CD 'First Love' will appeal not just to his legions of operatic fans, but to those who enjoy his more traditional music.
First Love is a compilation of songs from around the UK. Including folk favorites such as Danny Boy, Molly Malone, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, My Little Welsh Home and features a duet with pop star Ronan Keating.
Bryn Terfel Biography
Bryn was taught how to sing by a family friend, and then there was no stopping him. After winning numerous competitions for his singing, Terfel moved to London in 1984 and entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied under Rudolf Piernay.
He graduated in 1989, winning both the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Award and the Gold Medal. He came in second in the Cardiff BBC Singer of the World Competition the same year, though was awarded the Lieder Prize.
Bryn Terfel Career Highlights
Bryn Terfel made his debut in 1990 in Cosi fan Tutte with the Welsh National Opera after which he sang in the title role in The Marriage of Figaro with the English National Opera. His international debut began in 1990 when he sang in Mozart's Magic Flute at the Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels.
Since then he has sung with The Santa Fe Opera, on numerous occasions at Covent Garden, at the Salzburg Easter Festival, with the Vienna State Opera and in Paris with Theatre du Chatelet. In 1992 he signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon with whom he has recorded several CDs - although he features on 38 recordings altogether.
He has gone on to sing Figaro on at several different venues and has extended his repertoire to encompass Wagner, singing the role of Wolfram in Tannhauser, and in the title roles in Don Giovanni and Falstaff. Amongst other important recitals he has performed world-wide, in 2008 he sang at the Last Night of the Proms at the Albert Hall.
Career Blips
The blips in his illustrious career have been caused by occasional back surgery, and in September 2007 he was criticized by some for withdrawing from Covent Garden's Ring Cycle when his 6 year old son required several operations on his finger. This hiatus has not diminished Terfel's popularity or success.
King Bryn
In addition to being "opera royalty", in 1999, the small Welsh island of Bardsey revived an ancient tradition (which died out in 1927) by inviting Terfel to become their honorary monarch.
2009 Programme
Wagner: "Der fliegende Holländer"
Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), London, Great Britain: February 26th, March 1st, March 4th, March7th and March10th
Florida Grand Opera, Miami, USA: April 06 2009, Verdi, Wagner, Bizet, Rodgers, Hammerstein. Conductor: Stewart Robertson, Soprano: Sarah Coburn
References:
Deutsche Grammophon First Love CD
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