Opera superstar Sir Bryn Terfel joins Classic FM

Classic FM – the UK’s most popular classical music station – has signed Sir Bryn Terfel, one of opera’s best-loved stars, to present a new four-week series in January.

In Opera Villains with Bryn Terfel, the world-renowned Welsh bass-baritone will explore opera’s ruthless rogues, as he takes listeners on a journey to discover the dark, dramatic and often-misunderstood world of the most treacherous tyrants on the stage. Packed into four 60-minute programmes, Sir Bryn will delve into the roles that he has personally embodied, from Scarpia and Don Giovanni to Sweeney Todd.

Drawing on decades of live performances, he will unpick what makes these characters tick, the music they sing, and whether they are truly evil or simply flawed. The series launches on Friday 9^th January at 9pm on Classic FM and Global Player – the official Classic FM app – where each episode will be available on catch-up for thirty days.

In the first programme, titled The Ultimate Villains, Bryn will take a deep dive into opera’s most fearsome foes and share the music from characters he has played, including Sweeney Todd and Faust. In future episodes, he will investigate whether some characters deserve their villain status or whether they are just misunderstood, featuring music from La traviata, L’elisir d’amore and more.

Sir Bryn Terfel continues to enjoy an extraordinary international career, performing on the world’s most iconic concert stages and opera houses around the world. Making his professional debut in 1990 with the Welsh National Opera, Bryn has taken on the biggest characters in opera, released 15 solo albums and won numerous awards, including a Grammy, Classical BRIT and Gramophone Award. He is currently performing the title role in Boris Godunov and Captain Balstrode in Peter Grimes at the Royal Opera House.

“You know, they say the devil always gets the best lines — and in opera, that really is the case! When I sing roles like Scarpia or Mephisto, I try to find that little grain of truth in them, the human side beneath all the wickedness.

That’s what makes them believable… and honestly, it’s what makes them so much fun to play. I can’t wait to take Classic FM audiences on that journey with me and show them what really makes a villain tick.”
Sir Bryn Terfel

Joseph Zubier, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said: “Sir Bryn Terfel is one of the greatest opera stars and storytellers of our time, and hearing him reveal the secrets of opera’s most vicious villains will be a real treat for our listeners. This series showcases not only his extraordinary career and talent, but also opens up the world of opera in a fresh, accessible, and entertaining way for our audience.”

Classic FM is available across the UK on Global Player – the official Classic FM app – on your smart speaker, iOS or Android device, on 100-102 FM, DAB+ digital radio and TV and at ClassicFM.com.