baritone Sir Bryn Terfel on Wales, fame and the future of opera
Renowned Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel discusses his upbringing on a sheep farm and the cultural significance of music in Wales. Ahead of his Australian tour, he reflects on his career and expresses optimism for the future of opera.
Why it matters
Terfel is a major cultural figure whose perspective offers insight into the intersection of traditional heritage and classical performance arts.
Raised on a sheep farm in Wales, Sir Bryn Terfel is one of the world's most celebrated opera singers. ( Supplied Crown/Donald Todd )
Link copied Share Share article Few opera singers are as internationally celebrated as Sir Bryn Terfel, yet he still describes himself as "the son of a sheep farmer".
The Welsh bass-baritone says his love of singing is inseparable from his upbringing and cultural heritage.
Ahead of his Australian tour, Terfel reflects on what makes Wales so unique, recalls receiving his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and explains why he remains hopeful about opera's future.
I was born in 1965 in Wales. My parents were farmers of sheep and cows.
My dad was in a male voice choir, and my mum was in a female choir. They were constantly learning words.
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