Opera star 'slowing down' career

Terfel made his stage debut with the Welsh National Opera in 1990

Welsh opera singer Bryn Terfel has denied reports he plans to retire within three years, saying he will be "slowing down".

Terfel, 42, said he had always set 45 or 46 as "a kind of denouement" to his long career.

He is due to perform at the Last Night of the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.

He said the last time he played the Last Night of the Proms he was so nervous he nearly fled the venue.

'More cautious'

The baritone has been cutting back on his schedule in recent years.

In his interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said: "This is the best time for the voice because you've got everything else under guard.

"Whereas in the beginning of my career I complained to directors and was negative, now I've learnt that being a little bit more cautious and taking a back seat is much less chaotic for the voice."

He added: "I've sung with some glorious singers and sometimes you applaud them for things they've done in the past instead of living that moment of what you've just heard. I don't want to fall into that category.

'Palpitations'

Terfel told BBC One's Breakfast it was "a matter of slowing down".

He added that he was concentrating on concert and other performances away from the opera stage, including sporting events.

Terfel also spoke of the pressure of realising he was the third Welsh singer in consecutive years at his first Last Night of the Proms.

"Last time I was so nervous I have no recollection at all. This time I am going to embrace the whole experience and just enjoy it."

Terfel's stage debut was with the Welsh National Opera in 1990, singing as Guglielmo in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte.

He has won Grammy and Classical Brit Awards and was made a CBE in the 2003 New Year Honours.

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