Twelve years ago, fresh from winning the prestigious Lieder prize in the Cardiff Singer of the World competition, Bryn Terfel delighted critics and audiences with his performances as the wealthy young landowner Ford in WNO's production of Falstaff, directed by Peter Stein. In 2008, he returns to the Company where he began his operatic career to take on the title role in the same production - which will again be directed by Stein, the acclaimed European theatre and opera director. Falstaff will be conducted by Carlo Rizzi, Music Director of WNO.
Whilst Bryn Terfel has sung the role to unanimous praise in opera houses throughout the world, his return to his native country to sing with WNO will hold a very special resonance: he will be singing the role of Falstaff in a special Gala Preview performance on Saturday March 1, 2008 - St David's Day, the patron saint of Wales. There will be four more performances of Falstaff in Cardiff on Monday 3 March, Wednesday 5 March, Friday 7 March and Sunday 9 March.
In addition, Bryn will be singing the role in Birmingham (Thursday 13 March & Saturday 15 March, 2008) and Llandudno, North Wales (Tuesday 18 March & Thursday 20 March, 2008).
"This promises to be an extraordinary event: an artist of Bryn's calibre reunited with a director like Peter Stein to present Verdi's magnificent comedy," says John Fisher, WNO's General Director. "Bryn has shown great commitment to the Company where he began his amazing career, returning this year to celebrate our 60th anniversary with us by making his debut in the title role of The Flying Dutchman. We are looking forward greatly to Bryn returning to sing Falstaff with the Company, particularly as 2008 was due to be a sabbatical year for him."
"I so enjoyed Peter Stein's production of this masterpiece when I sang Ford in WNO's 1994 revival - to return as Falstaff is a dream come true," says Bryn Terfel.
The cast will also include fellow Welshman Rhys Meirion, who makes his debut with WNO singing the role of Fenton. Rhys, a former head teacher, is widely acclaimed for his interpretation of roles in operas by Puccini and Verdi. He has also recorded a duet album with Bryn Terfel on the Sain Record label. Baritone Christopher Purves sings the role of Ford. Christopher has made a huge impact in recent performances singing with WNO, including the title roles in Don Giovanni and the award-winning Wozzeck. Soprano Janice Watson, a winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Award, sings the role of Alicia Ford. Janice last appeared with WNO in the Company's production of Ariadne Auf Naxos in 2004. Mezzo-soprano Imelda Drumm sings Meg Page. Imelda has also forged a strong bond with WNO during her career. She sang in Richard Jones' acclaimed production of Hansel and Gretel for WNO and Fox in Cunning Little Vixen. She will sing the title role in WNO's Carmen in Summer 2007. -- www.wno.org.uk
Posted January 29th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
