Bryn Terfel came in and gave us a sneak peak of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’

31 May 2015, 17:00 | Updated: 17 June 2015, 11:32

When one of the world’s most famous bass-baritones came in to speak to Classic FM’s Charlotte Green he talked about beards, how singers warm-up, what he learned from Emma Thompson – and even treated us to an exclusive a cappella performance of ‘if I were a rich man…’

Fiddler on the Roof

The great bass-baritone Bryn Terfel is currently preparing for a performance of Fiddler on the Roof at Grange Park Opera in which he’ll be playing the lead role of Tevye. We expected him to talk about the role, perhaps even give an insight into how he’d prepared it… but sing it? No way…

On working with "force of nature" Emma Thompson

Bryn Terfel recently starred opposite actress Emma Thompson in Sweeney Todd – and, he told Charlotte, it was an experience to savour.

On his ‘monster’ of a beard

Bryn explained to Charlotte that the fetching beard he was sporting wouldn't have been entirely appropriate for his role of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street.

How does the great bass-baritone warm up?

He makes it all sound rather easy, actually…

The whole thing…

Watch the whole interview below in which he talks to Charlotte about the roles he'd still like to perform, singing Fiddler on the Roof for the first time and why he'll leave the football to the professionals.

Bryn performs in Fiddler on the Roof at Grange Park Opera 4 June-3 July.