Bryn Terfel Jones was born in Pantglas, North Wales, the son of a farmer (he knew of another Welsh baritone named Delme Bryn-Jones, so Terfel chose Bryn Terfel as his professional name). Terfel had an interest in and talent for music from a very young age. A family friend taught him how to sing, starting with traditional Welsh songs. After winning numerous competitions for his singing, Terfel moved to London in 1984 and entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, from which he graduated in 1989, winning the Gold Medal. He came in second behind Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the Cardiff BBC Singer of the World Competition the same year, though won the Lieder Prize.
In 1990, Terfel made his operatic début as Guglielmo in Così fan tutte at the Welsh National Opera, and later in the same season he sang the title role in The Marriage of Figaro, a role with which he made his debut with the English National Opera in 1991.
Terfel made his United States début as Figaro at the Santa Fe Opera. In 1992, he made his Royal Opera House, Covent Garden début as Masetto in Don Giovanni, with Thomas Allen in the title role. Terfel's international breakthrough came when he sang Jochanaan in Strauss's Salome at the 1992 Salzburg Festival. Terfel went on to make his début as Figaro at the Vienna State Opera. That year, he also signed an exclusive recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon, and returned to the Welsh National Opera to sing Ford in Falstaff. In 1993, he recorded the role of Wilfred Shadbolt in The Yeomen of the Guard, by Gilbert and Sullivan. Terfel has said that he would like to record "an album of Gilbert and Sullivan arias."
In 1994, Terfel sang Figaro at Covent Garden, and made his Metropolitan Opera début in the same role. He also sang Mahler's Eighth Symphony at the Ravinia Festival under the baton of James Levine. However, back surgery in 1994 (and again in 2000) prevented him from performing in several scheduled events. In 1996, Terfel expanded his repertoire to include Wagner, singing Wolfram in Tannhäuser at the Metropolitan Opera, and Stravinsky, singing Nick Shadow in The Rake's Progress at the Welsh National Opera.
In 1997, Terfel made his La Scala début as Figaro. In 1998, Bryn had a recital at Carnegie Hall which included works by Wolf, Fauré, Brahms, Schumann, Schubert, and others. In 1999, Terfel performed in Paris the title role of Don Giovanni for the first time. That year, Terfel also debuted in the title role in Falstaff at the Sydney Opera House for Opera Australia and then performed the same role at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
"White Christmas"
Bryn Terfel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
And may all your Christmases be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
In Bryn Terfel's rendition of "White Christmas," the singer expresses his longing for a traditional, idyllic Christmas - one that he once knew and that he remembers fondly. He desires a Christmas where snow covers the treetops and sleigh bells can be heard in the distance. This is a nostalgic moment for both the singer and the listener, as we all have memories of holidays past that we may want to relive. Terfel repeats the phrase "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" twice, not only emphasizing how much he wants this to happen, but also to reinforce the dream-like quality of the memory he is seeking.
The second stanza directs a message to the song's audience. The singer is wishing them a white Christmas through the Christmas card he is sending them. He wants the recipient to have a joyful, bright holiday that is made all the better by a blanket of fresh snow. The phrase "May your days be merry and bright" is especially poignant, as it reflects the genuine hope that the singer has for his loved ones to experience happiness during the holiday season. In the final stanza, he repeats the wish for a white Christmas, further enhancing the idea that he is hoping for a return to a cherished memory.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
I long for a snowy Christmas, just like the happy ones I recall from my past.
Just like the ones I used to know
The Christmases of my past, full of joy and snow, are the ones I desire to experience again.
Where the treetops glisten,
In this imagery, I visualize snowflakes making tree branches shine under the light of the sun or the moon.
and children listen
As they marvel at the snow-covered wonderland, children focus their attention to the tinkling bells of a sleigh approaching.
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
The magical sound of jingling bells in the snowy landscape is a cherished experience that enhances the enjoyment of the winter holiday season.
With every Christmas card I write
As I express my holiday wishes, I hope for peaceful, joyful and snow-filled Christmas celebrations for all who will receive my greeting cards.
May your days be merry and bright
My wish is that your Christmas season be filled with cheer and happiness.
And may all your Christmases be white
In hopes of a magical and enchanting winter, I wish for snow-filled Christmases that are special and memorable always.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Irving Berlin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Corro Guzmán
Beautiful voice of baritone Terfel!
Evelyn Nicholson
Love this. Know it's schmaltzy but loved Bing and so great to have him back at Christmas with Bryn as well......
Christine Thomas-O'Meally
I wish that when they were singing in unison, it would be closer together. Bryn needs to mimic Bing's articulation for it to really be a duet.
Brady Call
I do wonder why some people think Bryn Terfel is a tenor.
Don R
@JamesMorganLondon Bing was a good enough crooner to "put over" this song far better than Terfel does here. Some opera singers have been able to do a very creditable job with Great American Songbook material. Eileen Farrell was one, but admittedly she actually preferred pop to opera. Most tend to be either heavy-handed or overly "scholastic" sounding; especially the men.
PippinRally
I love this song and much as I'd love to love it Bryn's voice does not go well with Bing's.
rosmhictreoin
I am assuming that Bryn admires the deceased Bing, but I have to say that neither compliments the other. Generally disappointed with it.
josh1391
yeh but we all know that bird is in fact the word.
Ricacha90
I´m guessing a McAmerican here
Scribe13
LOL