ClassicalXOver4U with Rhydian Roberts

The first guest on my new ClassicalXOver4u podcast was none-other than the incredible Welsh baritone, Rhydian Roberts. We’ve known each other for nearly 10 years and it has been a pleasure to watch his career. We spoke about the highlights he’s experienced and also touched on the release of his final classical album. Here are a few of the highlights.

Jannie Rawlinson: This album is going to be your last classical album, isn’t it? Tell us about that, because you’ve got other albums which you’re planning to do in the future.

Rhydian Roberts: Well, this is my penultimate album, and it will be my last classical album. Yes, I’ve got one more to do then I would have released 10 albums, but that’ll be the best of the 32 of my favorite songs. This however, is my favorite hymns, songs and arias from the world of classical. It’s literally called ‘Rhydian: Classical Album’ so people can’t make any mistake. It’s unequivocally classical but there are classical crossover elements too, as there always will be but I’m proud of it. Some of the songs I’ve released before but they’ve actually been re-worked, remixed and remastered, and there are new versions of some songs… Those people who have brilliant ears, obviously I know your listeners do, will hear the differences and different nuances in these versions compared to ones that I’ve done before. So I hope people love it. I’m proud of it.

Jannie Rawlinson: With it being the last classical album it’s such a good point to talk about the beginning of your career when you were a child. Have you always had an interest in music?

Rhydian Roberts: Yes, music and performing. So when I was younger, much younger, three or four years old, I used to be the turn when people came around to the family house. Mom or Dad would say, ‘Come on, get up, do a song’ and I didn’t shy away. I loved it. So that’s how it began really. I had an inclination towards music and I had a pretty good ear – I have relative pitch. So I then went on to compete in Eisteddfod, which is a little competition around Wales and I did pretty well and I liked the limelight then. I continued to like the limelight for about 30 years, but now I don’t, which is why I’m shying away, which we’ll talk about in a minute. But back then I thrived on performing. I sang in choirs, and solos and then when I went to secondary school, I went there to play rugby… You have chapel every morning. Most kids hated it. They’d fall asleep yawning you know, but I loved it – hearing the organ, hearing those hymns. I’d used to sing out and try to make an impression, show off.

Jannie Rawlinson: The big break came when you appeared on The X Factor. In some ways you were more successful than the person who won it. What was that experience like for you? Because you are a showman, aren’t you? And of course, you have the facilities then to be able to really put yourself out there and you really did. You were just incredible!

Rhydian Roberts: Well, that was a big risk because you know when I applied for that show, I was still at music school. Incidentally, I was in an opera playing the Count in the ‘Marriage of Figaro’. So the two things couldn’t be more different. The college and the director of the opera didn’t know that I was traveling down to London to do filming. I kept it quiet. Many people think I auditioned in Wales, but I auditioned in Birmingham for the show.

That was just an experience to behold. It was bizarre, but I literally toed the party line as far as I could, but still trying to retain some artistic integrity. That was really hard, because they’re creating a TV show. They’re creating the backstories, you know, the personalities and I didn’t do my due diligence on that and more fool me, because I should have researched that more. They created a kind of persona but it was fine because Simon said to me, “Yes, I am making you out to be an arrogant lad, but I’ve got a plan…” He said, “Trust me. That’s what they did to me and I’m doing okay.” I actually said to him, “Simon, can I make you a bet? If I’m chucked out the first round, can you do one thing for me? Can I have a drive in your Bugatti Veyron?” and he went “Deal.” So I was like, you know, I’ll be disappointed if I’m voted out but if I am, I’m gonna have a drive with Simon Cowell. And so I kind of went into the first show a little bit apprehensive, but also you know, nothing ventured, nothing gained. It was nerve wracking but once I went through, I kind of loved every second of the production. I’ve said before in other interviews, we were given the best production. It’s a very expensive performance they used to put on with the LED screen alone being tens of thousands of pounds. The dancers, the choreographer, Brian Friedman (who is Britney Spears’ choreographer), the vocal coaches, the band, the musicians – I was in my element. I very quickly won over the music department and the creatives of X Factor. They liked me and liked working with me. The TV side, not so much because I didn’t cry on tap, they want you to cry you know.

Jannie Rawlinson: In terms of theater, because you’ve played some leading roles in theater productions, which one of those productions really stood out for you? Which are the ones that you’ve really enjoyed?

Rhydian Roberts: Well, theater production wise. Ah, I would say the most fun show was The Little Shop of Horrors. I played Orin Scrivello the D.D.S who is a nitric oxide sniffing psychopath. I love to play the nutters – it gives you freedom on stage. I always played the bad guy… did I ever play the good guy?! I don’t think I did. I played the bad guy in We Will Rock You. I was Pontius Pilate, he was pretty bad in Jesus Christ Superstar, although troubled… who else did I play? I played the Teen Angel in Grease, that was kind of a good guy. I did War of the Worlds, I was Parson Nathaniel. I went on an arena tour with Jeff Wayne… Then I was Rocky in The Rocky Horror Show. .. I’ve loved those times because being in a cast and a production, working with great people in theater, which is my other passion, doing music, I love all genres. But I was suited to classical and classical crossover, and theater. One of my regrets was that I was supposed to sing in the 25th anniversary of Les Miserables. I was supposed to be Enjolras but at the time I was with Sony and they refused to release me… but my great friend, Ramin Karimloo went on instead, who now I’m his music agent. So he did an amazing job.

Jannie Rawlinson: Obviously you’ve had an array of experiences in the entertainment industry and you’ve now sort of taken a step back from being that main person on the stage. You are helping others to be able to enjoy their careers… Tell us about how that compares to what you’ve done in the past and how you influence that.

Rhydian Roberts: I think it helps having first hand experience of what the artists are going through. I know what the singer needs. I’m sensitive to their needs for all different requirements. You get some people who are, to use that word, quite needy, others that are relaxed and chilled and need their space. So I’m dealing with new personalities all the time. I’m the agent of around 35 different acts myself, I also manage some acts and they’re all different. It makes every day different and exciting, and there’s a pressure for me to deliver for them but it’s a different pressure from performing. Ultimately, that’s why I’ve decided to hang up the voice after fifteen years. Although if I get a No.1 at the end of this week, I might have to tour again! The nerves of performing and doing a great job as a classical singer, many of your singers and family that listen to you will know, it’s not easy. Particularly on an off day and I’m just recovering from COVID – imagine singing today, it’s difficult! Moreover, I have to say the record industry has changed drastically. It’s all about streaming now, which is so infuriating! Do you know, to get one sale in the charts, you need 1,000 streams. That’s the equivalent of one’s sale and so to get high chart positioning is difficult, which is why I asked people to download the album on iTunes or buy the physical from my store, which I know you’ve been helping me out with with promoting and I’ve signed a few as well. But if you stream we don’t make any money, no chart positioning. So it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to carve out a career in music. But yes, l had an illustrious and, you know, successful career there and I do miss it. I do. I did some great things. But I’m more interested now in helping younger new talent and existing talent achieve their dreams. Because I love the business side of music too.

Listen to the full podcast on Spotify.