Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

November 9, 1965 in Pant Glas, Gwynedd, Wales

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Crossover

 

 

Opera

 

 

Vocal

 

Bryn Terfel is a Welsh bass-baritone opera singer who has become one of the most celebrated classical music artists of his generation. Born on November 9, 1965, in Pantglas, North Wales, Terfel grew up in a musical family and began singing in his local church choir at a young age. He attended the Ysgol Treganna school in Cardiff and later studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Terfel's career began to take off in the early 1990s when he won the Lieder Prize at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition in 1989. He made his professional debut in 1990 as Guglielmo in Mozart's Così fan tutte at the Welsh National Opera. He quickly gained recognition for his powerful voice and commanding stage presence, and soon began performing at major opera houses around the world. One of Terfel's most notable early performances was his portrayal of Figaro in Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro at the Royal Opera House in London in 1994. The performance was widely praised by critics and helped establish Terfel as one of the leading bass-baritones of his generation. He went on to perform in a number of other major productions, including Wagner's Ring Cycle at the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In addition to his work in opera, Terfel has also become known for his performances of Welsh folk songs and other traditional music. He has released several albums of Welsh music, including the popular album Bryn, which features a mix of traditional Welsh songs and classical pieces. Terfel has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1996, he was awarded the Queen's Medal for Music, and in 2003 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. He has also won several Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Vocal Performance for his album Bryn Terfel: Opera Arias in 1999 and Best Classical Crossover Album for his album Simple Gifts in 2009. One of Terfel's most memorable performances was his rendition of "Danny Boy" at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. The performance was widely praised for its emotional power and helped cement Terfel's reputation as one of the most talented and versatile classical music artists of his generation. Terfel continues to perform regularly and has become a beloved figure in the world of classical music. His powerful voice and charismatic stage presence have made him a favorite among audiences around the world, and his commitment to promoting Welsh music and culture has helped him become a cultural ambassador for his home country.

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