Baritone wedded to love of opera

PASSIONS: Welshman Gary Griffiths says he is lucky that in opera he has the best of two worlds.

Welsh baritone Gary Griffiths was just a child when he heard opera for the first time, an album by The Three Tenors (Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras).

"It was the most incredible thing I'd ever heard. I couldn't believe a human being could make that sort of sound and I wanted to do that."

While Pavarotti was his first opera inspiration, later on the now 30-year-old discovered he was a baritone. British singer Simon Keenlyside and his fellow countryman, Bryn Terfel, were added to his list of singing role models, the latter becoming a great mentor in recent years.

Next month, Griffiths performs the title role in Mozart's comedic classic The Marriage of Figaro, the debut, Art Deco-themed production for Hawke's Bay's Festival Opera.

It will also be Griffiths' debut as Figaro, having previously performed as The Count in the production.

"I said yes for two reasons; this was a wonderful opportunity to learn the role and to come to New Zealand."

Griffiths was also studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London at the same time as Carleen Ebbs, the former Hawke's Bay, UK-based soprano who has the role of Susanna the maid and Figaro's fiancee, who together plot to bring their emotionally estranged employers, the Count and Countess, back together.

To Griffiths, Figaro comes across as grounded and stubborn, someone who thinks he knows everything and what he wants although, in truth, Susanna is really the one who fits that latter description.

Mozart really was a musical genius, said Griffiths, giving singers everything they needed to interpret the text and using the music to indicate each character's mood. "One of my favourite scenes is in Act II. The music changes when Antonio the gardener runs on stage and the whole piece absolutely bursts into flames with excitement and drama."

The international cast also includes Changhan Lim from Korea as the Count, Jennifer Davison from the US as the Countess, and Sabine Garrone from France as Cherubino.

Originally from a small coastal village, Griffiths has been based in Cardiff the past three years since graduating from the Guildhall. Last year, he represented Wales in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, and received the Welsh Theatre Critics award for best male opera singer.

When he was young, his focus was on performing - singing, acting, public speaking - he just enjoyed being on stage. At 18, he decided he was still too young to study singing and trained as an actor at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. He then went on to the Guildhall, graduating with a MMus First Class Honours.

Griffiths' grandfather was a great opera lover and his father has told him his grandfather would have been amazed and pleased at how things have turned out.

"With opera, I feel I have the best of both worlds, I get to do my two passions."

The Marriage of Figaro, Napier Municipal Theatre, 7pm, February 18 and 22, 2pm, February 20. Tickets $50-$80 from Ticketek.

Festival Opera's production crew and cast are holding a rehearsal open to the public this Saturday at Cathedral Lane, Napier, from 10am to 1pm. To register interest email anna@festivalopera.co.nz.