Welsh singing legend Bryn Terfel tours with the NZSO

Welsh singing legend Bryn Terfel tours with the NZSO

“He can roar – with pain, with pleasure, with fierce indignation, filling the hall with full, strong tone. But he can also coo and purr at an extreme pianissimo, making a sound that stays audible only because there is so much in it to feel, as well as to hear.” The New York Times

Welsh singing star, Bryn Terfel, one of the most sought after international voices, performs a very special gala concert with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra this May.

New Zealand audiences will be able to hear Bryn sing his career highlights, with the full accompaniment of a live symphony orchestra.

This Gala Concert is an exceptional opportunity to witness the breadth of his mastery amid an especially busy year for the opera world, being the twin bicentenaries of two giants of the romantic repertoire, Wagner and Verdi. This time, he takes on some of the world’s most impressive vocal works by the master of opera – Richard Wagner.

Following the success of last year’s NZSO production of The Valkyrie, Bryn will tackle Wagner arias that have caused The Guardian to proclaim him “the new Wagnerian king at Covent Garden”. From Wotan’s heart wrenching mountain top farewell to the romantic aria O! du mein holder Abendstern in Tannhäuser; Terfel’s natural ability appears effortless.

One of the world’s finest bass-baritones, Bryn is no stranger to some of the best international stages in the world, including the Metropolitan Opera House, Covent Garden or La Scala, and is the winner of both Grammy and Gramophone awards.

“Terfel is one of the world's leading - if not the leading - exponents of Wagner's Wotan and the Dutchman, and of Verdi's Falstaff.” The Australian, 2013.

His on and off-stage charisma sets him apart from other artists. He is equally at home in opera, music theatre and the traditional songs of his native Wales.

In this concert you will hear some of the finest operatic repertoire as well as sparkling musical theatre gems – from the wide open cornfields in musical theatre classic Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’; to Bryn’s favourite folk songs such as My Little Welsh Home; and even the menacing whistling of Mefistofele, see why Gramophone declared: “This astonishingly gifted bass-baritone seems able to touch with magic whatever he sets his voice to”.

Bryn Terfel has charmed audiences and critics world-wide and fans all around New Zealand have been eager to see him return to perform with the full backing of a live symphony orchestra, following his 2009 recital tour.

Don’t miss this extraordinary chance to hear this consummate performer at the height of his career, performing with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and one of New Zealand’s most successful and sought-after conductors, Tecwyn Evans.

“I can't think of anyone who could present a concert quite like this, other than Bryn,” says Tecwyn Evans, who is based in Sweden. “From the passion of Wagner, to the intimacy of some of the traditional folk songs in the second half, the audience will be treated to one of the great voices of this generation. I had enormous fun recording a Christmas CD with Bryn for Deutsche Grammophon a few years ago and it will be highlight for me to work alongside him once again, in partnership with the gem that is the NZSO.”

This gala evening of favourite arias and songs will be one of the highlights of the NZSO Season, in association with ANZ Private.

ENDS

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