Alfie's Myspace interview April 2008

xcept

This is part one of the interview with Alfie for his Myspace page

How has 2008 been for you so far?
2008 has been really fantastic so far. There’s been a lot to take on board, and I’ve got a crazy year ahead. Rehearsals for The Merry Widow are now in full swing; it opens on 26th April. The dancing is fantastic; I’ve danced in some shows in the past, but it’s not something I’ll try to make a living out of! It’s a very traditional production. Lots of directors try and be clever and come up with a different angle, but this one is really traditional; big waltzes and beautiful costumes, top hat and tails, gorgeous ball gowns and a lovely set. We’ve got an amazing director, John Copley, who directs for the music.

How are rehearsals going?
I’ve done three weeks already, and we’ve got another three weeks to go. Plus, there were two weeks rehearsal before I joined, so we’ve had about eight weeks – it’s quite a lengthy process. We’re rehearsing in a space in West Hampstead right now, and we’ll be on stage in the actual theatre in the last week.

What was the last opera you did?
Kismet, last year, was the last performance I did, but the last opera was Così Fan Tutte at the beginning of 2007 in Strasbourg. So I’ve been away from it for quite a while, but I never stopped doing opera: it’s what I trained for. I always want to continue with live performances, and it’s wonderful to be able to do that: to appear in concert, then perform in an opera the next week. I’ll also be performing in Electra at the Royal Opera House in August / September, and then I’ll be doing La Bohème with the English National Opera at the end of the year.

Part 2 next week

Margaret. · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 485

Great interview, Cant wait for part two. Thanks xcept Very Happy

xcept · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

Rest of Myspace interview from Myspace and AB.com

How does it feel to be nominated for two Classical Brit Awards?
I am very excited; it is a great honour to be put forward for the awards. I'm up against a lot of other good artists, and I think we all stand a good chance.

Concerts, operas, awards… Do you ever get to go home?
I’m actually at home now! It’s very brief though, I have to go back to London tomorrow for rehearsals, same at the weekend, and then I’ve got another concert during the week.

Any chance of a holiday?
I’m trying to fit something in; a trip to America later in the year perhaps. I love backpacking and going trekking in the mountains. There is a beautiful mountain range called the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, where you can hike to about 13,000 feet and come across these beautiful alpine lakes. There’s nobody around for miles; you can dive straight into the lakes and it just takes your breath away. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

What music do you listen to in your spare time?
I do listen to a lot of opera actually; it’s educational, and you learn so much by listening to it. Though you mustn’t try and impersonate – you have to discover your own style. I’ve been listening to lots of 80s music too – getting my 80s fix! I got Level 42 out this morning, UB40 as well. I’ve been making 80s playlists, but I’m not getting the outfits out again - hideous outfits! I remember I had one in particular that was a purple paisley shirt. It was awful.

novice · Joined: Feb 12, 2006 Posts: 532

Thank you, lovely read. Good to hear he does get to go home, I am sure his family will appreciate that.
And is is great to read that Alfie is still able to keep his sense of humor with all he has going on this year!
Purple paisley shirt... lol would love to see him in it, just for the fun of it.
Wonder what his hairstyle was like.... Laughing

_________________
Music Speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it Rest, Heals the Heart and makes it whole - Flows from the heavens to the Soul!

Margaret. · Joined: Jan 05, 2006 Posts: 485

Thanks for part two xcept, another great read. I hope Alfie wins a Classical Brit award this year. Very Happy