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Stiwdio puts the spotlight on Bryn Terfel
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International opera star Bryn Terfel split opinions among the opera critics last year when, with only weeks to go before the performances, he pulled out of Covent Garden's production of Wagner's The Ring cycle. This week, he admits that he would do it all over again.
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Speaking candidly on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Cymru's Stiwdio programme, the Welsh star, who is about to appear in the Welsh National Opera's sold-out production of Falstaff, plays down his appearance as being the major selling point of the performances, and describes how the decision to quit to concentrate on a family issue was a very easy one for him, despite the outrage it caused.
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Although some opera critics sympathised with him and supported his decision, Terfel also attracted some harsh words of condemnation.
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"Wagner has his special audience who are willing to travel from all corners of the world." he tells presenter Beti George.
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"It may be the fact that it would've been the first time I had performed all of the three operas. But this unfortunate little accident happened to Deio who needed three operations, lasting four hours.
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"I went to London and the two-day rehearsals for Siegfried were going perfectly," he says. "But there was something in the back of my mind saying 'this isn't the time' because you have to be there one hundred per cent for something.
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"And seeing the other singers throw themselves into the production, as I usually do, there was something bothering me. I'd arrived in London and in two days I hadn't opened my case and that was some kind of warning bell.
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"Of course there was an angry opera house but there would also be an angry six-year old little boy if Dad wasn't there."
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But he also admits he believes fate played a hand in his decision to pull out of the production.
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"Maybe I wasn't ready then to do the three operas together," he says, "and fate came and put her hand in and said 'No, this isn't the time. You have to be home with your children.'
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"And I tell you now, if something should happen to the family during this production of Falstaff in Cardiff, the decision would be the same. There was no dilemma at all. The decision was clear."
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It seems that the Covent Garden Opera House has forgiven him, as he is set to take up his role in The Ring again for a 2012 production.
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Meanwhile, Terfel is looking forward to having fun with his portrayal of Falstaff, and reveals a few secrets, such as what really happens during the scene where his character is thrown into a basket of dirty laundry, and has to stay in it on stage.
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"Oh! That can be fun," laughs Terfel, "because you can hide a few things in a basket. Whether it be a little cold Guinness or a drink of water. Of course you have to give Falstaff a bit of character and if a Guinness is available surely it adds to the characterisation!"
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He may now be one of the greatest opera singers in the world but once he's home, in Bontnewydd near Caernarfon, that counts for nothing when it comes to his three sons.
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"I rarely sing in front of them," he admits, "because to be honest, I'm a taxi driver once they come home from school, whether it be for choir practice, football or rugby or swimming."
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The full interview can be heard on Radio Cymru's Stiwdio programme on Thursday 28 February 2008 at 6pm.
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Also this week, the opera singer turns presenter as Terfel fronts a brand new series for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Cymru.
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In Gwlad y GΓΆn (Land Of Song) he takes a look at six iconic Welsh songs, inviting opinion and comment from singers and scholars alike.
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The first programme, on Sunday 2 March at 5pm, looks at Cwm Rhondda, the hymn now better known as one of Wales' foremost anthems, Bread Of Heaven.
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales Press Office
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