There's no place like home...

Ahead of the National Opera Studio’s The Things You Do For Love showcase at BBC Hoddinott Hall on 11 February we caught up with the Welsh tenor and former WNO Youth Opera member, Rhydian Jenkins, to find out more about his passion for opera and about Welsh National Opera’s role in encouraging and supporting young singers. 

‘I’ve always sung since I was a little boy back home in Wales at our annual National Eisteddfods. I started learning some Italian pieces and during my year of PGCE training I started having lessons at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama [RWCMD] where I met my current teacher, Adrian Thompson, which then led to me studying there at the David Seligman Opera School. Everything progressed from there.

During my time at RWCMD, I was very fortunate to have had a few experiences with Welsh National Opera - performing in two opera galas with WNO Orchestra and WNO Conductor Laureate Carlo Rizzi and most recently performing the role of Sergei in WNO Youth Opera’s production of Cherry Town, Moscow, directed by Daisy Evans – who is now directing their new production of The Magic Flute.  It was such a wonderful environment. Having the opportunity to work in and around a professional Company with its intense rehearsal schedule prepared me to manage my work-life balance at NOS through understanding when to put the brakes on from singing and have a breather, whether that’s doing a physical activity or something else, it keeps the mind fresh, which I think is incredibly important as an opera singer.

Opera comes with time, experience, and learning. My advice would be to have a go at as many arias, songs, roles as you can, but also to listen to your teachers. Remember, they are there to help and support you. It’s a marathon not a sprint.

As a proud Welshman, when I heard that the National Opera Studio were doing a residency at WNO, it was music to my ears. It helps that my home in Maesteg isn’t too far from Cardiff and Wales Millennium Centre, so I’m excited to hopefully be a tour guide for everybody at the Studio for the week!’

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Rhydian and the National Opera Studio perform a programme of favourite love arias and ensembles in The Things You Do For Love at BBC Hoddinott Hall on Saturday 11 February at 3pm.