Interview
“Folk music is at the heart of it all”
Sir Bryn Terfel is a true master singer. On 3 August, he will be giving an evening concert at Klosters Music together with other guests. Georg Rudiger spoke to the baritone about his Welsh roots, exciting villains and his musical versatility.
You present a stylistically diverse programme at Klosters, ranging from Welsh folk songs to opera, from art songs to musicals. Which of this do you prefer to sing?
From an early age I was always lucky enough to be immersed in vocal music and encouraged by my parents fo compete in competitions. Singing folk songs, singing to the accompaniment of a harp, singing old Victorian ballads. I would confidently say that without such a diverse introduction to singing repertoire, I would not be where I am today in this glorious world of music. If I had to consider one as a front runner, I would say folk music is at the heart of creating that interest to carry on.
ln addition to pianist Annabel Thwaite, you will be accompanied not only by your wife Hannah Stone on the harp, but also by an entire choir, the Zurich Sing-Akademie. What can the audience expect from this evening?
ln the past I have been developing this connection between voice, harp, and piano. lt opens up a world of beautiful accompanying styles and interpretations. As an added bonus, we also have a choir for this evening, which then gives me a multitude of options, from folk music to opera to
music theatre. The Welsh and the Swiss in total harmony, with music being that bridge for some very interestring possibilities.
You have played many evil characters in your career – from the sadistic police chief Scarpia to the murderer Sweeny Todd. One of your albums is called “Bad Boys”. ln Klosters, you sing the aria “Ha! Welch ein Augenblick” by Don Pizarro from “Fidelio”. What is fun about being evil on stage?
They are the characters that you can literally get your teeth into. You chew the operatic sets being the misfits and malcontents of these glorious operas. Always a dream to portray the baddies, and they never disappoint.
An impression of his extraordinary voice. Bryn Terfel sings “Te Deum“ at the Royal Opera House.