Bryn Terfel - Childhood and early career, Faenol Festival, Trivia

Bass baritone, born in Pant-glas, Caernarfonshire, North Wales, UK. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and became popularly known after winning the Lieder Prize in the Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 1989. He has since appeared at many of the world's leading opera houses, his roles including Leporello in Don Giovanni at the Salzburg Festival (1994–6), Figaro at the New York Metropolitan Opera (1994), Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress at the Welsh National Opera (1996), and the title roles in Don Giovanni (2002) and Falstaff (2003) at Covent Garden, London. In 2004 he debuted as Wotan, to great acclaim, in the Royal Opera House's production of Das Rheingold. In 1993 he received the Newcomer of the Year International Classic Music Award. He won best album (for Bryn) in 2003, and is twice winner of the best male artist at the Classical Brit Awards (2004, 2005). Later albums include Silent Noon (2004) and Simple Gifts (2005). In 2000 he established the annual Bryn Terfel's Faenol Festival held near Bangor, North Wales. He became the second recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music in 2006.

The Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel, CBE (IPA: [brɨn ˈtɛrvɛl];

Childhood and early career

Terfel was born Bryn Terfel Jones in Pantglas, North Wales, the son of a farmer (he knew of another singer named Bryn Jones, so Terfel chose Bryn Terfel as his professional name).

In 1990, Terfel made his operatic début as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte at the Welsh National Opera, and later in the same season he sang the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, a role with which he made his debut with the English National Opera in 1991.

Terfel made his United States début as Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera.

In 1994, Terfel sang Figaro at Covent Garden, and made his Metropolitan Opera début in the same role. In 1996, Terfel expanded his repertoire to include Wagner, singing Wolfram in Tannhäuser at the Metropolitan Opera, and Stravinsky, singing Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress at the Welsh National Opera.

In 1997, Terfel made his La Scala début as Figaro.

In 1999, Terfel performed in Paris the title role of Don Giovanni for the first time. That year, Terfel also sang the title role in Falstaff at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Faenol Festival

Starting in 2000, Terfel started the Faenol Festival near Snowdonia in Wales. Billed as "Bryn Terfel's Faenol Festival" (often referred to as "BrynFest"), it turned into an annual music festival featuring internationally famous opera singers as well as popular Welsh artists.

Trivia

In 2003, Terfel became a Commander of the British Empire, receiving the honour from the Prince of Wales. In 2006 he became the second recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music (the previous recipient being conductor Sir Charles Mackerras)

Back surgery in 1994 and 2000 prevented Terfel from performing several scheduled events.

Terfel married his childhood sweetheart, Lesley, and they have three children: Tomos, Morgan and Deio Sion.

Terfel was once referred to as the greatest living baritone by accomplished musical theatre performer George Hearn.

Terfel's mother tongue is Welsh.