News

TRYSTAN FINDS HIS TRUE VOICE

5th December, 2017

L-R: Trystan Griffiths with Dr. Alexander Buhr (Managing Director of Decca Classical Label Group)



From Fitting Doors to Stage Doors…


RUGBY-PLAYING WELSH TENOR FINDS HIS TRUE VOICE

TRYSTAN LLŶR GRIFFITHS


SIGNS TO DECCA FOR NEW ALBUM IN 2018



  • In just a few short years, Trystan Llŷr Griffiths has gone from fitting garage doors to being named ‘Voice of Wales’. Now the rugby-loving tenor has signed to Decca Records in a major deal, putting pen to paper on his contract at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, shortly before singing at the Wales v South Africa international match on Saturday.

  • Trystan is mentored by fellow Welsh singer Sir Bryn Terfel who’s set to appear on his debut album – due for release in 2018. Before then, Trystan can be heard on the festive new album ‘The Nation’s Favourite Carols’ giving a beautiful rendition of O Holy Night. In signing to Decca Records he joins a hall of fame, which includes Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti and Joseph Calleja, some of Trystan's singing heroes. 

  • Speaking about the signing, Trystan said, “I’m delighted to be joining Decca. They have one of the most impressive back catalogues of artists whom I admire, and I’m proud to join a current line up of classical singers who have become household names. I’ve just begun work in the studio to start recording my first album with them. This is possibly the best Christmas present, ever!”

  • Trystan joins a long list of international singing stars hailing from Wales, and will join Katherine Jenkins at London’s Royal Festival Hall tonight (05/12/17) for the Huawei Winter Concert with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, award-winning chamber choir Tenebrae and Grammy-nominated conductor Anthony Inglis.

  • Brought up in Clunderwen in Pembrokeshire, Trystan’s interest in singing was nurtured by his grandmother. By five years of age, he was competing in Eisteddfodau as a soloist and alongside his brothers and sister in a vocal ensemble known as ‘Y Teulu Griffiths’ / The Griffiths’ Family. At school he balanced a flair for rugby with his passion for singing, joining both the local rugby team and Welsh Male Voice Choir, Ar Ôl Tri, where his father continues to be a member.

  • Trystan’s path to a singing career has not been straightforward. After school, he split his time between playing rugby for Whitland RFC, Clwb Rygbi Crymych RFC and working as a garage door fitter at home in Pembrokeshire. But music soon won out and he studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London before returning to Wales to study on the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's Opera Course in Cardiff. Trystan then completing his training at the National Opera Studio in London.

  • This signing with Decca does not come out of the blue. Trystan was named the ‘Voice of Wales’ by Decca Records in 2012 following a search of over 600 singers in a series televised by S4C.

  • Last year was a big year for Trystan. He married his school sweetheart, Gwen, and then left Wales to join the International Opera Studio in Zürich where he’s been mastering his craft. To date he’s performed with Zürich Opera, Scottish Opera Welsh National Opera, Opera North and will be making his house debut with Opera National de Lorraine in France in the New Year.