Where eagles dare... Rob joins Bryn in album duet
HE’S best known for his quickwitted comedy routines, both on TV panel shows and during live stand-up routines.
But now Rob Brydon is branching out in the world of classical singing by performing a duet on the album of one of the world’s leading opera stars.
Sir Bryn Terfel has recorded duets with some of the biggest names in the business, including Joseph Calleja, Alfie Boe, Katherine Jenkins and Danielle de Niese, for new album Dreams and Songs.
So it comes as something of a surprise to find the Would I Lie To You? host on there.
“Rob Brydon became involved because of the Welsh connection, but of course he is a funny guy and he thinks he can sing!” joked Terfel, who has performed at opera houses across the globe and amassed industry awards.
The pair teamed up at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London to record The Golfer’s Lament, a lighthearted tale of life on the fairway which captures their cheeky sense of humour and shared love of the sport.
“All these comedians have beautiful voices and they all secretly want to be opera singers – so, Rob came nervously to the studio in Abbey Road and sang the Golf Song,” continued father of four Terfel.
And the highlight of the day? “Seeing Rob Brydon’s ashen face, walking in nervously into a room filled with a symphony orchestra of 100 fantastic classical musicians,” laughed Terfel.
“But of course, he managed it professionally and as always, he was funny. He simply walks into a room and people laugh. So, it’s always a pleasure to be with Rob and, of course, he is always cheeky.
“In his texts afterwards, he was saying that he was a better singer than I am, but I am indeed a better golfer than he is!”
Brydon, who is from Baglan, said: “It was an honour and a thrill to sing with Sir Bryn, and what better than a song celebrating my sporting shortcomings?”
The comedian is, in fact, no stranger to the recording studio. In 2009, his Gavin & Stacey character, Uncle Bryn, recorded (Barry) Islands In The Stream with Ruth Jones’ Nessa for Comic Relief and it went straight to the top of the charts.
And earlier this year he stunned the audience at the Half Moon pub in London by getting up on stage to perform a duet of Bruce Springsteen’s Thunder Road with Welsh singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph.
■ Bryn Terfel’s new album, Dreams and Songs, is released on September 14