Rhys Meirion

Rhys Meirion is a Welsh opera and classical singer (tenor).

Rhys Meirion
Background information
Birth nameRhys Meirion
BornBlaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd in Wales
GenresOpera
Occupation(s)Classical Tenor
InstrumentsVocals
LabelsSain
Websiterhysmeirion.com

Rhys Meirion was born in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd in Wales. He worked as a primary school headteacher at Ysgol Pentrecelyn near Ruthin, before leaving in 1997 to study opera at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.[1] He is one of The Three Welsh Tenors/Tri Tenor Cymru. His album with Bryn Terfel, 'Benedictus', was nominated for a Classical Brit Award in 2006. He has sung the part of Rodolfo with Oper Frankfurt, West Australian Opera and at Opera Australia, and the title role in Gounod's Faust at the Hong Kong Opera Society.[2]

He joined English National Opera in 1999 and later became Company Principal from 2001 to 2004.

Biography

Meirion was brought up at Tremadog in Gwynedd. He graduated as a Bachelor of Education from Trinity College, Carmarthen, and worked as head-teacher at Ysgol Pentrecelyn, Rhuthun, before he began his training as a professional singer. From 1997 to 1999 he was a member of the Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and pursued studies with Gerald Moore.[3]

Career

In 1999, Meirion joined the English National Opera, Jerwood Young Singers Programme and subsequently was a Company Principal from 2001 – 2004. There he sang most of the leading tenor roles including Rodolfo in La Boheme and Pinkerton in Madam Butterfly. He also played the role of Alfredo in La Traviata, Nemorino in L'Elisir d'Amore, Nadir in The Pearl Fishers, Marcello in Leoncavallo's La bohème, Duke in Rigoletto, Tebaldo in Capuletti e Montecchi, Tamino in The Magic Flute, the title role in Ernani, Sailor in Tristan und Isolde, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Italian Singer in Der Rosenkavalier, Froh in Das Rheingold and Zinovy in Lady Macbeth of Mtzensk.[3]

In 2002, Meirion made his Australian debut as Rodolfo in La Boheme for West Australian Opera, and his European debut as Rodolfo for Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt. In 2004 he sang the title role in Gounod's Faust with the Hong Kong Opera Society.[3]

Concert highlights include his BBC Prom debut at the opening night of the 2001 BBC Proms, televised on BBC 2, gala concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London with Bryn Terfel, Desert Island Discs Anniversary Concert at Royal Festival Hall, London, live BBC recording of Beethoven's 9th Symphony conducted by Richard Hickox, and the Verdi Requiem at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Rhys has appeared at the Henley Festival, Cheltenham Festival, North Wales Festival, Swansea Festival and in concerts in Barbados, Toronto, Ottawa and Florida.[3][4]

Meirion and Shân Cothi contributed to 'Beneath the Waves' by Kompendium, a project led by Rob Reed, keyboardist in progressive rock band Magenta.[5]

Personal life

Meirion lives in the village of Pwllglas near Ruthin and is married to Nia. They have three children, Osian, Elan and Erin.

Recordings
Album cover of Benedictus, with Bryn Terfel

Meirion has released three successful solo CD recordings with SAIN Records, and one on the Australian label, Stanza AV. His duet album with close friend Bryn Terfel, with Catrin Finch on the harp and Annette Bryn Parry on the piano, is one of SAIN's best selling recordings.[3]

Gŵyl Gobaith Music Festival

Gŵyl Gobaith Music Festival was a three-day event inspired by Meirion and supported by a dedicated committee and volunteers. It was conceived with the sole purpose of promoting music within Flintshire's community and beyond whilst raising funds for local charities. The festival was held from 2009 to 2012 and attracted international artists and festival goers from across the UK.

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References
  1. Daily Post Archived 29 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. VirtualWOMEX website.
  3. "RHYS MEIRION". sainwales.com. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  4. "In pictures: Soaking up the atmosphere at Gŵyl Gobaith". BBC NEWS. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  5. Progissue 29, August 2012
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