Cover Opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel. (Photo: Courtesy of Rolex)
Opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel. (Photo: Courtesy of Rolex)
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Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, who is particularly celebrated for his performances in Puccini and Wagner operas, headlined the first Shenzhen Verbier Festival
When Sir Bryn Terfel strode onto the stage of the Shenzhen Longgang International Art Centre in front of a crowd of people who, unlike Timothée Chalamet, care very much about opera, the air was charged with anticipation. The Welsh bass-baritone, one of opera’s most charismatic and commanding voices, was the star attraction at the first-ever Shenzhen Verbier Festival—a landmark extension of Switzerland’s celebrated alpine celebration of classical music. Conducted by Gianluca Marcianò and supported by Rolex, this performance marked not only a milestone in Terfel’s career but also a symbol of cross-cultural harmony between Europe and Asia.
Speaking to Tatler ahead of the February 7 concert, Terfel described performing in the vibrant southern Chinese metropolis as “an incredible experience—the music, the culture, the people, all inspiring in different ways”. He expressed particular admiration for Shenzhen’s emerging musical scene, calling it “a city where music builds bridges and transcends everything”. This was, in his words, “the tenth concert in this hall and the first full symphonic performance—something to be proud of”.
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Above Bryn Terfel performing at the inaugural Shenzhen Verbier Festival at the Shenzhen Longgang International Art Centre. (Photo: Verbier Festival)
Bryn Terfel performing at the inaugural Shenzhen Verbier Festival at the Shenzhen Longgang International Art Centre. (Photo: Verbier Festival)
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The programme, a rich tapestry of European masters—Verdi, Boito, Gounod, Offenbach, Weill, Wagner and Bock—allowed Terfel’s dramatic sensibility to shine. Known for his ability to transform even the most familiar arias into moments of renewed emotional power, he brought the same intensity to Shenzhen as he has to opera stages from London’s Covent Garden to New York’s Met. “In essence, we are all storytellers,” he said. “That is the first thing—the drama—then the voice follows.”
This emphasis on theatrical narrative has always been central to Terfel’s artistry. In an interview following the concert, he likened himself humorously to a golfer with a full coaching team—one voice coach, one teacher for every language he sings in—French, Italian, German, Russian—and even a “swing coach” of sorts for phrasing and tone. “It’s about preparation,” he said. “Being a good colleague, knowing your part, and being open to collaboration—that’s the foundation for any great performance.” He then joked about his rugged beard—grown for his ongoing portrayal of the title character in Boris Godunov at the Royal Opera House in London—saying it was a reminder that even legends of the stage occasionally sacrifice vanity for the art.
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Above Bryn Terfel stars in the Royal Opera House’s ‘Boris Godunov’
The Shenzhen concert was, by his account, a joyful meeting of worlds: “Landing in Hong Kong, driving to Shenzhen, carrying the spirit of Verbier from the mountains of Switzerland to China—it’s extraordinary.” The Verbier Festival founder, Martin Engstroem, echoed this sentiment when he described the Shenzhen edition as an “invitation to dialogue—where an exceptional musical tradition meets one of Asia’s most forward-looking cities”.
For Terfel, cross-cultural collaboration is a necessity. “Wherever I work, I want people to enjoy themselves,” he reflected. “If I see a smile on the orchestra’s faces at the end of a concert, that’s everything. Music is universal—it crosses boundaries effortlessly.” He spoke warmly of fellow artists who have recently graced Shenzhen’s stages, from pianist Lang Lang to cellist Gautier Capuçon, noting that such exchanges create the very heartbeat of global classical culture.
Above Bryn Terfel singing out and about on the streets of Shenzhen. (Photo: Verbier Festival)
Bryn Terfel singing out and about on the streets of Shenzhen. (Photo: Verbier Festival)
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The partnership between Terfel and Rolex, which has supported his artistic journey since 2007, also played an important role in this concert. The brand’s long-standing commitment to fostering musical excellence—not only through sponsorships but also through initiatives that nurture young talent—mirrors Terfel’s own dedication to mentorship. Recalling a formative encounter with the late conductor Sir Georg Solti, he shared, “Solti told me once, ‘Bryn, you never listen.’ And I learnt then that listening—to others, to music, to yourself—is the key.”
Now, he pays that wisdom forward. With Rolex’s support, he recently launched a singing competition for young vocalists in Wales, echoing the mission of his mentor and fellow New Zealander, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. “They don’t just support art,” he said of Rolex, “they bring people together—artists, audiences, even first-time opera-goers. That’s the perpetual movement of art.”
There was proof of breadth and depth of love for the classical arts in Terfel’s Shenzhen audience, which comprised music lovers of all ages, from eager students to seasoned connoisseurs. “The young people here are extraordinary,” he remarked. “They’re enthusiastic, engaged, and open to everything. That’s what gives classical music its future.”
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
