Bryn Terfel

Sir Bryn Terfel CBE
Terfel inStockholm,December 2013
Born	Bryn Terfel Jones (1965-11-09)9 November 1965 Pant Glas,Caernarfonshire,Wales,UK
Nationality	Welsh
Education	Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Occupation	Opera singer (bass-baritone)
Years active	1984−present
Spouses	Lesley Jones ​ ​ (m.1987;div.2013)​ Hannah Stone ​ (m.2019)​
Children	4

SirBryn Terfel Jones,CBE(Welsh pronunciation:[ˈbrɨnˈtɛrvɛl];born 9 November 1965; known professionally asBryn Terfel), is a Welshbass-baritoneopera and concert singer. Terfel was initially primarily associated with the roles ofMozart,particularlyFigaro,LeporelloandDon Giovanni,and has subsequently shifted his attention to heavier roles, especially those byPucciniandWagner.

Biography

Bryn Terfel Jones was born inPant Glas,Caernarfonshire,Wales, the son of a farmer. His first language isWelsh.To avoid confusion with another Welsh baritone,Delme Bryn-Jones,he chose Bryn Terfel as his professional name. He had an interest in and talent for music from a very young age. A family friend taught him how to sing, starting with traditional Welsh songs.

After winning numerous competitions for his singing, he moved to London in 1984 and entered theGuildhall School of Music and Dramawhere he studied underRudolf Piernay.In 1988 he entered and won theMorriston Orpheus ChoirSupporters' Association Young Welsh Singer of the Year Competition.He graduated in 1989, winning both theKathleen FerrierMemorial Award and theGold Medal.The same year he came second behindDmitri Hvorostovskyin theCardiff Singer of the Worldcompetition, but won theLiederPrize.

Career

1990s

In 1990 Terfel made his operatic debut as Guglielmo inCosì fan tutteforWelsh National Opera,and later in the same season he sang the title role inThe Marriage of Figaro,a role with which he made his debut withEnglish National Operain 1991.

His international operatic career began that same year when he sang the Speaker inMozart'sThe Magic Fluteat theThéâtre de la Monnaiein Brussels and he made his United States debut as Figaro at theSanta Fe Opera.

In 1992 Terfel made hisRoyal Opera House, Covent Gardendebut as Masetto inDon Giovanni,withThomas Allenin the title role. That same year he made hisSalzburg Easter Festivaldebut singing the role of the Spirit Messenger inDie Frau ohne Schatten.This was followed by an international breakthrough at the main Salzburg Festival when he sang Jochanaan inStrauss'sSalome.He went on to make his debut as Figaro at theVienna State Opera.

On 19 June 1992 Terfel made his U.S. concert debut singing inMahler'sEighth Symphonywith theChicago Symphony Orchestraat theRavinia Festivalunder the baton ofJames Levine.Also at the festival, on 22 June, he and Levine (at the piano) performedSchumann'sLiederkreis(op. 39) andSchubert'sSchwanengesang,and on 27 June he was Abimélech inSaint-Saëns'sSamson and Delilah(withPlácido DomingoandDenyce Gravesin the title roles), also with the CSO under Levine. In January and February 1993, Terfel sang the role of Donner inWagner'sDas RheingoldatLyric Opera of Chicago;Zubin Mehtaconducted.

Also in 1992, he signed an exclusiverecording contractwithDeutsche Grammophon,and returned to the Welsh National Opera to sing Ford inFalstaff.In 1993, he recorded the role of Wilfred Shadbolt inThe Yeomen of the Guard,byGilbert and Sullivanand sang Figaro to acclaim at theThéâtre du Châteletin Paris.

External audio
Terfel may be heard as Jochanaan, inRichard Strauss' operaSalome,Op. 54,with theVienna PhilharmonicOrchestra conducted byChristoph von Dohnányi,and withCatherine Malfitano,in 1995Here on archive.org

In 1994 Terfel sang Figaro at Covent Garden, and made both hisMetropolitan OperaandTeatro Nacional de São Carlosdebuts in the same role. However, back surgery in 1994 (and again in 2000) prevented him from performing in several scheduled events.

In 1996 he expanded his repertoire to include moreWagner,singing Wolfram inTannhäuserat the Metropolitan Opera, andStravinsky,singing Nick Shadow inThe Rake's Progressat the Welsh National Opera. These performances won him theRoyal Philharmonic SocietyAward for the singer of the year.

In 1997 Terfel made hisLa Scaladebut as Figaro. In 1998, he had a recital atCarnegie Hallwhich included works byWolf,Fauré,Brahms,Schumann,Schubert,and others. In 1999, he performed in Paris the title role ofDon Giovannifor the first time and sang his firstFalstaffat theLyric Opera of Chicago;the latter of which he reprised in the inaugural production at the newly refurbished Royal Opera House.

In 1999 Terfel performed theRugby World Cupanthem "World in Union"withShirley Basseyat theMillennium Stadiumbefore the1999 Rugby World Cup Final.

2000s

In 2000 Terfel said that he would like to record "an album ofGilbert and Sullivanarias ".

In 2003, Terfel hosted and performed on the stage with opera tenorJosé Carrerasand sopranoHayley Westenrain front of the capacity crowd of 10,000 people at theFaenol Festivalin Wales.

In 2007 Terfel performed at the opening gala concert for the re-dedication of theSalt Lake Tabernaclewith theMormon Tabernacle Choiron 6–7 April. Later, he performed the title role in a concert version ofSweeney Toddthat had four performances from 5–7 July at London'sRoyal Festival Hall.This idea came from Terfel and his fellow bass-baritone and friend, the Irishman Dermot Malone.

Terfel has not shied away from popular music either. He has recorded CDs of songs byLerner and LoeweandRodgers and Hammerstein.In 2001 he commissioned and performed 'Atgof o'r Sêr' ('Memory of the Stars') in the National Eisteddfod with the composer Robat Arwyn.

In September 2007 Terfel withdrew, to severe criticism, from Covent Garden'sDer Ring des Nibelungenwhen his six-year-old son required several operations on his finger. But he successfully returned to the Met in November 2007 to sing the role of Figaro. He told reporters in New York City that he would retire Figaro from his repertoire. But he sang the role ofWotanin Covent Garden's revival ofDer Ringin September to November 2012.

Terfel intended to take 2008 as a sabbatical from opera performances, but broke this to take the title role in WNO's revival ofFalstaff.He had sung in this production in 1993, when he played the role of Ford.In 2009 Terfel sangScarpiaandthe Dutchmanfor the Royal Opera House.

Since 2010

In 2010, Terfel made his debut asHans Sachsin Wagner'sDie Meistersingerin a production forWelsh National Opera,in Cardiff and on tour.

On 17 July 2010, the cast of this production gave a "concert staging" at theRoyal Albert Hallas part of the 2010BBC Proms,which was broadcast onBBC Radio 3and onBBC Fourtelevision.On 31 July, again at the Proms, he performed in a concert from the Royal Albert Hall celebrating the works ofStephen Sondheim,in his 80th birthday year.

Terfel took on the role of Wotan for the premiere performances ofRobert Lepage's new Met staging of Wagner'sDer Ring2010–12. He sang the role in all three of the fourDer Ringoperas that feature Wotan:Das Rheingold,Die WalküreandSiegfried.

In September 2013 Terfel collaborated withMormon Tabernacle Choirreleased the albumHomeward Boundwhich reached No. 58 Official UK Charts.

In September 2014 Terfel reprised his role asSweeney Toddin the Live from Lincoln Center concert production ofSweeney Todd,which was broadcast onPBS.This production also starredEmma ThompsonasMrs Lovett,Philip QuastasJudge Turpin,andAudra McDonaldasThe Beggar Woman.Terfel, Thompson, and Quest reprised their roles in 2015 with theEnglish National OperaoppositeJohn Owen-JonesandKatie Hallas Pirelli and Johanna at theLondon Coliseum.

In 2016 Terfel took the title role in Mussorgsky'sBoris Godunov,directed byAntonio Pappanoat theRoyal Opera House.

On 6 May 2023 Terfel performed a setting in Welsh, byPaul Mealor,ofKyrie eleisonat theCoronation of Charles III and CamillainWestminster Abbey.This was the first time Welsh had been sung at a coronation service.On 7 May he sang "You'll Never Walk Alone",in a duet withAndrea Bocelli,at theCoronation ConcertatWindsor Castle.

In February 2024 Terfel released a new album,Sea Songs,onDeutsche Grammophon.

Personal life

Terfel was married to his childhood sweetheart, Lesley, in 1987 until their divorce in 2013. The couple have three sons.

In 2017 he and harpistHannah Stonehad a daughter.The couple married on 26 July 2019 at Caersalem Newydd Baptist Church in the bride's home city of Swansea.

Terfel was a leading petitioner in the creation ofBontnewydd railway stationon the rebuiltWelsh Highland Railway,and in part sponsored its construction.

Partial solo discography

• Bryn Terfel – Volume I(1988)
• Bryn Terfel – Volume II(1990)
• The Vagabond and Other Songs by Vaughan Williams, Butterworth, Finzi and Ireland(1995)
• Something Wonderful(1996)
• Handel Arias(1997)
• We'll Keep a Welcome(2000)
• Some Enchanted Evening(2001)
• Under the Stars(2003), withRenée Fleming
• Bryn(2003)
• Simple Gifts(2005)
• Tutto Mozart!(2006)
• First Love(2008), songs from the British Isles
• Carols and Christmas Songs(2010)
• Homeward Bound(2013), with theMormon Tabernacle Choir
• Dreams and Songs(2018)
• Sea Songs(2024)

Welsh albums

• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 1988
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 1990
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 1990
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 1993
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 1995
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 2003
• 
  Sain (Recordings) Ltd; 2005

Videography

• James Levine's 25th Anniversary Metropolitan Opera Gala(1996), Deutsche Grammophon DVD, B0004602-09

Honours and awards

Terfel continues to be a patron of the Welsh language and Welsh culture, facets of his life which are largely unknown outside his native Wales. Terfel has been awarded the honour, by theNational Eisteddfod,of membership of theGorsedd of Bards.The Gorsedd was created in 1792 as a celebration of Welsh heritage, and inductees are considered to have contributed to Welsh culture.

• Morriston Orpheus ChoirSupporters' Association (MOCSA) Young Welsh Singer of the Year (1988)
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire(2003)
• Queen's Medal for Music(2006)
• Honorary FellowofJesus College, Oxford(2008)
• HonoraryDoctorate in Music,Bangor University(2012)
• Honorary Doctorate in Music,Royal College of Music(2012)
• AustrianKammersänger(2022)

In 2006 theHamburg-basedAlfred Toepfer Foundationawarded Terfel its annualShakespeare Prizein recognition of his life's work.

Terfel wasknightedin the2017 New Year Honoursfor services to music.

Year	Award	Category	Result
2000	Classic Brit Awards	Male Artist of the Year	Won
2004			Won
		Album of the Year (Bryn)	Won
2005		Male Artist of the Year	Won
2007		Singer of the Year	Nominated
		Critic's Choice	Nominated
2010		Male Artist of the Year	Nominated
2011		Album of the Year (Carols & Christmas Songs)	Nominated
2013	Grammy Awards	Best Opera Recording(Metropolitan Opera's recording ofRichard Wagner'sDer Ring des Nibelungen)	Won

Terfel is also president of the Welsh homelessness charityShelter Cymruand is patron of Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales, a registered charity based in Cardiff which provides specialistBobath therapyto children from all over Wales who havecerebral palsy.

Terfel is a vice president of theDunvant Male Choirin Swansea, the oldest continuously singing Welsh choir, dating from 1895.The choir sang at Terfel's wedding in 2019.

Faenol Festival

In 2000 Terfel founded the Faenol Festival (known inWelshas "Gŵyl y Faenol" ), at theFaenol EstatenearSnowdonia,Wales. Billed as "Bryn Terfel'sFaenol Festival"(often referred to as" BrynFest ") turned into an annual music festival featuring internationally famous opera singers as well as popular Welsh artists. In the same year he releasedWe'll Keep a Welcome – The Welsh Album,an anthology of favourite traditional songs. The festival had been voted a £250,000 grant by theWelsh Assembly,but did not take place in 2009 or 2010 and ended as of 2010.Subsequently, the 2012 Faenol Festival took place in London.

Operatic repertoire

Terfel has performed the following roles on stage:

Composer	Opera	Role	In repertoire	Recorded
Britten	Peter Grimes	Balstrode	1995	No
Canepa	Riccardo III	Riccardo III	2018
Donizetti	L'elisir d'amore	Dulcamara	2001	Yes (DVD)
Donizetti	Don Pasquale	Don Pasquale	2019
Gounod	Faust	Mephistopheles	2004	Yes (DVD)
Mozart	Così fan tutte	Guglielmo	1991	No
Mozart	Don Giovanni	Masetto	1992	Yes
Mozart	Don Giovanni	Leporello	1991–present	Yes
Mozart	Don Giovanni	Don Giovanni	1999–present	Yes (DVD)
Mozart	Die Zauberflöte	Speaker	1991	No
Mozart	Le nozze di Figaro	Figaro	1991–2007	Yes (DVD)
Mussorgsky	Boris Godunov	Boris Godunov	2016
Offenbach	Les contes d'Hoffmann	Four Villains	2000	Yes (DVD)
Puccini	Gianni Schicchi	Gianni Schicchi	2007	No
Puccini	Tosca	Scarpia		Yes
Puccini	Madama Butterfly	Sharpless	1996	No
R. Strauss	Die Frau ohne Schatten	Der Geisterbote	1992	Yes
R. Strauss	Salome	Jochanaan	1993	Yes
Sondheim	Sweeney Todd	Sweeney Todd	2002–present	Yes:Live From Lincoln Center
Stravinsky	The Rake's Progress	Nick Shadow	1996–2000	Yes
Stravinsky	Oedipus Rex	Creon	1992	Yes
Verdi	Falstaff	Falstaff	1999–present	Yes
Verdi	Falstaff	Ford	1993	Yes
Wagner	Das Rheingold	Donner	1993	No
Wagner	Das Rheingold	Wotan	2005–present	Yes (DVD and Blu-ray)
Wagner	Die Walküre	Wotan	2005–present	Yes (DVD and Blu-ray)
Wagner	Siegfried	The Wanderer	2011–present	Yes (DVD and Blu-ray)
Wagner	Tannhäuser	Wolfram	1998	No
Wagner	Der fliegende Holländer	Holländer	2006–present	Yes (DVD and Blu-ray)
Wagner	Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg	Hans Sachs	2010	Concert staging ofWelsh National Operaproduction broadcast byBBC Radio 3andBBC Fourtelevision as part ofBBC Proms

See also

• List of Welsh musicians

External links

• Bryn Terfel at Official Deutsche Grammophon site
• www.brynfest.com Faenol Festival
• Bryn Terfel biography from BBC Wales