The world's best baritone is coming to town. He is not a
household name, such as Pavarotti, Domingo or the diva Sarah
Brightman. However, he is huge in today's operatic scene.
China has welcomed many "big stars" on the verge of retirement.
However some of these older stars have sometimes been unable to
finish a concert because of their failing health condition. Finally
China is receiving a performing artist at the peak of his
career.
His name is Bryn Terfel and the Welsh baritone is a towering
presence in the international music world. Whether it is opera, art
song, folk song, oratorio or popular song, live or recorded, Terfel
is king.
Touring with the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in Asia, he will
treat Beijing's audience a concert at Beijing's Forbidden City
Concert Hall tonight and move to Shanghai's Oriental Arts Centre on
Sunday. At the Beijing concert, Terfel will sing Mozart and
Wagner's concert arias.
"With music in his heart, Terfel is one of the most charismatic
and talented singers performing today. His commanding stage
presence, rich bass-baritone voice and sparkling personality make
him in great demand around the world," commented the Beijing-based
opera critic Li Cheng.
Born in rural North Wales in 1965, Terfel studied at the
Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He rose to prominence when he
won the Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 1989.
Subsequent awards include "Male Artist of the Yea" in the 2005
Classical Brit Awards, "Male Artist of the Year" and "Album of the
Year" for the platinum selling disk "Bry" in the 2004 Classical
Brit Awards, the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal
performance and the Gramophone Awards 1995 for his album "An Die
Musik."
The combination of a great voice, immaculate diction, commanding
stage presence and flair for acting has made Terfel the hottest
property in opera throughout the world. His signature roles include
Figaro in Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" and the title role in
Verdi's "Falstaff."
Terfel achieves seemingly effortlessly what many other classical
artists attempt with less success the "crossover" album. His
versatility is demonstrated in his numerous recordings which range
from Mendelssohn's "Elijah," Schumann's "Liederkreis" to a
best-selling album of songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and an album
of traditional Welsh songs.
(China Daily November 17, 2006)