The opera singer is expecting his first child with wife Sarah in May and ranks that as the best moment of his life ahead of performances at the Royal Albert Hall and singing on the Christmas and Easter specials of Songs of Praise.

"There are so many things that have happened to me over the past 15 years and the past 12 months," said Alfie.

"Performing at the Albert Hall was a proud moment but I'm very excited about the birth of my daughter. That's the proudest moment of my life."

The 34-year-old has been involved with opera for 15 years but only burst onto the music scene 18 months ago, becoming the first signing to Classic FM's Presents label and releasing his first album, Classic FM Presents Alfie Boe. He was snapped up by EMI classics and released his second album, Onward Last March and followed that up with the Mediterranean-inspired La Passione.

Onward has now been nominated for best album at May's classical BRIT Awards, something Alfie is very proud of.

"It's a wonderful thing to be recognised and patted on the back for the album," he said.

"I wouldn't have thought it possible to have come so far in a year. It has been crazy, everything has happened and I'm just very fortunate with the way things have gone.

"We are talking about a fourth album in the next six months but, right now, I am having a bit of a break."

For now, Alfie is turning his attention back to the stage, appearing for the English National Opera in a production of The Merry Widow from April.

"Full opera is something I have been doing for a long time and there's no comparison between that and the recording," adds Boe. "They are both very different, exciting and invigorating and I don't think I could do anything else now, this is all I know how to do."

The Philharmonia Orchestra and Alfie Boe, Fairfield Halls, April 9, 7.90pm, £9.75 - £28. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk

Source: Croydon Guardian