News from around the world - Phillip Rhodes
Posted on 15 April 2016
This time last year I sat in New Zealand wondering if I would be home in time to see my family for Christmas, with the help of the foundation I was fortunate enough to make it with 2 days to spare! This year I have been at home with my family just over ten weeks, and with rehearsals running through till the 23rd of December it is unlikely I will make it to 12 weeks!
Two years ago it was the complete opposite, with a possible 12 weeks work, a festival here and the odd concert there, and the rest of the year wondering whether it was worth all the effort! Now with a steady flow of work throughout this year and the next, I think it is important to remember how close I came to saying ‘stuff this!’ And remembering those that gently encouraged me to persist just by being there. The net is cast far and wide for the understanding and supportive people that have kept me marching forward – my agent Deborah Sanders is always pushing and encouraging me as well as listening to my concerns; my family in NZ, my wife here in Wales, and of course Dame Kiri and her foundation. With your support the scales always tipped in favour of hanging in there just a bit longer.
It has been a testing year and I have had to work hard, but can look back and do so with pride in knowing I put my best foot forward, and look ahead to doing more of the same with a full calendar this coming year.
First off will be the production of Andrea Chenier for Opera North, after which I will be off to London for the cover of Enrico in the Royal Opera House’ production of Lucia di Lammermoor. I will be on the plane immediately after that to New Zealand for my debut of Giorgio Germont in New Zealand Opera’s ‘La Traviata’ and then a short tour of the NZ Opera/VSO co-production of Sweeney Todd before returning to the UK for other contractual work.
I am so thankful to the foundation and all they have done. This past year has been a big one and I was forever conscious of keeping my eye on the ball and keeping ahead of the work as most of it was new to me, thankfully next year all but one of the roles will be repeats which take some of the pressure off! Lots of love and a merry Christmas to you all!