News

'Voice of Wales' in Scotland!

4th September, 2015

Welsh tenor Trystan Llŷr Griffiths will make his professional operatic debut performing the role of Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte for Scottish Opera's small scale tour this Autumn.

Trystan was named the 'Voice of Wales' in 2012 by Decca Records from a search of over 600 singers in a series televised by S4C. He is also one of the first recipients of a Study Award from the Bryn Terfel Foundation.

Other prizes and awards include the 2014 Ian Stoutzker Prize, which is awarded annually for the most outstanding musician at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; 2014 Bruce Millar Gulliver Singing Prize, 2013 RWCMD HRH Prince of Wales Scholarship, The 2013 Dunraven Welsh Young Singer of the Year Prize, The 2012 MOCSA Young Welsh Singer of the Year Award, The 2012 Sybil Tutton Award and the 2011 W. Towyn Roberts Scholarship at the National Eisteddfod.

"I've been working towards this moment for such a long time and now the time has come; 'excited' is an understatement!"

After graduating from Trinity University College in Carmarthen, Trystan completed a Master of Arts Vocal degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He subsequently completed a postgraduate course in Opera Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and recently completed his studies as a trainee at the National Opera Studio in London, where his studies were generously supported by Welsh National Opera.

"Having performed the role of Ferrando just over a year ago at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama the role is still fresh in my mind." 

"This time I'll be performing it in English which is a challenge in itself when the Italian is still very prominent in my mind." 

"My favourite scene is the sextet from the first act when Ferrando and Guglielmo come back disguised as Albanians to try and win over the hearts of the sisters Dorabella and Fiordiligi. It's my favourite scene because it's the first time the audience get to see the boys in their ridiculous disguises and boy do they come on with a bang!"

But it could have been a different story for this accomplished young singer:

"Whilst I realize that I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am today I didn't set out to be a singer, it just happened. I originally wanted to be a Joiner and make furniture. Before going to University I was an industrial garage door fitter, but singing has always been a part of my life." 

"I started competing at the local Eisteddfods, the Urdd and the National Eisteddfod of Wales from a very young age and this contributed greatly to me becoming a professional singer. Without these competitions I wouldn't be in the position I'm in today; I'm grateful to be able to forge a career in this line of work."

So what does Trystan have planned for the next few months?

"I'll be releasing my first album on the Sain Label in November. I'll be taking part in various concerts up to Christmas and then in the New Year I'll be understudying the role of Nemorino, which happens to be one of my dream roles, with Opera North in Leeds." 

Scottish Opera's Cosi fan tutte opens on Thursday, 24th of September at the Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling. Click here for more information regarding performances:


https://www.scottishopera.org.uk/our-operas/15-16/cosi-fan-tutte