Bryn the Bass doesn't want to get too deep

By Tara Werner

It must be difficult for Welsh opera singer Bryn Terfel to have the reputation of being undisputedly the world's greatest bass-baritone. Such status in the often-fickle opera scene could easily turn any singer's head.

A recipe for putting on airs, perhaps, or acting difficult.

But the charm and thoughtfulness that Terfel communicates on the phone from Sydney immediately reinforces his nice-guy image.

Based in Australia over the next month - singing the lead role in Verdi's Falstaff at the Sydney Opera House, as well as recitals in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth - Terfel could not be more obliging.

His friendly yet self-effacing personality has made him popular with both the press and operatic colleagues.

But mention the role of Wotan in Wagner's Ring and a certain edge comes to his voice.

"People are always asking me when I will be singing Wotan, and I always say I'll do it when I'm ready, and not before. There's a natural progression for all these things," he says firmly.

Given that Wotan is possibly one of the finest roles composed for the bass-baritone, such reticence is surprising. But Terfel is clear that he doesn't want to push his voice.

He resists any repertoire he considers premature, despite the urging of his promoters - hence no Wagner to speak of.

Up to now his notable successes have been in Mozart opera and German lieder.

His debut as Figaro at the Met in New York was so striking that it made it to the front page of the New York Times, the first time a singer had created such headlines in 20 years.

The 34-year-old star is emphatic that opera singing isn't necessarily a serious business all the time. Fun is high on the list of his priorities.

He's quite capable of getting an ultra-serious audience to sing the Flanders and Swann comic number Hippopotamus as an encore, such as a time in Munich when he enticed his German fans to join in with the chorus ("mud, mud, glorious mud").

"It took them four times to learn the words, but when they did, we all had a great time," he says with a laugh.

He seems equally at home with other superstars, such as mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, with whom he has developed a special working relationship.

Last November he sang Figaro opposite Bartoli and soprano Rene Fleming in a Met production of the Marriage of Figaro that won enormous praise for its sheer entertainment value.

"People like Cecilia, Rene and me seem to have a certain `pull' in opera houses, and we are often put on a pedestal. But we really enjoy what we're doing and there's no tension at all," he says.

This shared enjoyment is certain to emerge in a CD of Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti that he and Bartoli have recorded together.

The diversity of his previous recordings highlights his versatility, and he seems equally comfortable with whatever style he tackles. He is not averse to doing "crossover" music such as songs from Broadway musicals.

"There's wonderful music in all of them, and singing them is a bit of light relief," he says.

"I don't really care what people think. There's no rule that says that opera singers can't do musicals, is there?"

He might be certain about what he will or will not do musically, but Terfel's spectacular international success seems not to have affected him.

This farmer's son was born in the tiny village of Pantglas in north Wales, where breeding sheep and cattle is the predominant occupation.

Both his parents sang in local choirs, and from an early age Terfel's voice stood out, so much so that he was able to earn regular prize money from eisteddfods, Welsh singing contests.

Graduating from the Guildhall School of Music, he went on to represent Wales in the "Singer of the World" competition, and soon the major opera houses were open to him.

Very much the family man, Terfel insists that whenever possible his wife and children join him on his travels.

"We have a flat at the beach when I'm doing Falstaff in Sydney and my son is able to swim. My children are quite young and I try to make as much time as possible to see them."

Pictured: Bryn Terfel.