Born: 14 Feb 1983 (age 27)
Place of Birth Brecon Hospital, Powys, Wales, UK
Full name Rhydian James Roberts
Singer Baritone
Height 5’ 9”
Place of Birth Brecon Hospital, Powys, Wales, UK
Full name Rhydian James Roberts
Singer Baritone
Height 5’ 9”
Family
Rhydian is the second son of Malcolm and Angela Roberts of Sennybridge, Powys, Wales.
Malcolm is an electrical contractor and Angela is Director for Wales of the charity Crossroads Care.
Rhydian’s elder brother is Gareth who is a solicitor living in London.
Rhydian's maternal grandfather was Dr. Colin Lewis of Pontypridd who was Tom Jones' doctor.
Malcolm is an electrical contractor and Angela is Director for Wales of the charity Crossroads Care.
Rhydian’s elder brother is Gareth who is a solicitor living in London.
Rhydian's maternal grandfather was Dr. Colin Lewis of Pontypridd who was Tom Jones' doctor.
Schools
In his nursery and primary schools, Pontsenni Cylch Meithrin and Ysgol y Bannau Brecon, Rhydian was taught in Welsh and is now a fluent Welsh speaker.
He won a place at Llandovery College where he went on to be both rugby captain & head boy
He often says that his time at Llandovery College was one of the happiest times of his life and he felt very privileged to finish his school life as head boy.
He won a place at Llandovery College where he went on to be both rugby captain & head boy
He often says that his time at Llandovery College was one of the happiest times of his life and he felt very privileged to finish his school life as head boy.
Sports
In cricket Rhydian played for the Powys County Junior team.
As a junior he was also a very keen rugby player, playing with Gwernyfed club, near Brecon and won a place at Llandovery College. He played centre for the college.
He was noted as an excellent team player; Nigel Roberts, his uncle told Sorted Magazine "He was always playing above his age group and was once involved in a massive local derby. He'd already scored two tries and was clean through for his hat-trick when he passed to a team-mate to score. Afterwards I asked him why he'd done it, and his reply tells you all there is to say about him. He said: 'Well, it was the last year for the chap I passed to. I have a year left.'"
Gwernyfed RFC
Rhydian’s father Malcolm had wanted him to play for Wales. However, as Rhydian tells it. "I had lots of rugby injuries and had a groin strain that got worse. I lost speed and strength and I could see I wouldn’t make it. I knew that I could never be the best at rugby. With music I never thought I was going to be a megastar, but I always hoped to get a recording contract."
Rhydian is very keen on fitness and goes to the gym daily. In his youth Rhydian was the strongest bench presser in Wales, but gave up weight lifting in his early teens to follow his passion for music.
As a junior he was also a very keen rugby player, playing with Gwernyfed club, near Brecon and won a place at Llandovery College. He played centre for the college.
He was noted as an excellent team player; Nigel Roberts, his uncle told Sorted Magazine "He was always playing above his age group and was once involved in a massive local derby. He'd already scored two tries and was clean through for his hat-trick when he passed to a team-mate to score. Afterwards I asked him why he'd done it, and his reply tells you all there is to say about him. He said: 'Well, it was the last year for the chap I passed to. I have a year left.'"
Gwernyfed RFC
Rhydian’s father Malcolm had wanted him to play for Wales. However, as Rhydian tells it. "I had lots of rugby injuries and had a groin strain that got worse. I lost speed and strength and I could see I wouldn’t make it. I knew that I could never be the best at rugby. With music I never thought I was going to be a megastar, but I always hoped to get a recording contract."
Rhydian is very keen on fitness and goes to the gym daily. In his youth Rhydian was the strongest bench presser in Wales, but gave up weight lifting in his early teens to follow his passion for music.
Music & Singing
Rhydian represented his school and county (Powys) in the Urdd Eisteddfod (‘Youth Eisteddfod’) from the age of 5.
Rhydian says it was when his mother sent him to see Bizet’s opera Carmen at the age of 14 that he fell in love with music all over again: "I didn't want to go to the opera but my mum forced me and I fell in love with it. From then on I started doing musicals at school and having singing lessons."
He kept his links with the Urdd right through until 2007 when he competed for the last time (by 2008 he was 25 and too old to qualify).
He also took up the trumpet and cornet which he played right through to his A Level music exam. He also plays the piano.
Rhydian says it was when his mother sent him to see Bizet’s opera Carmen at the age of 14 that he fell in love with music all over again: "I didn't want to go to the opera but my mum forced me and I fell in love with it. From then on I started doing musicals at school and having singing lessons."
He kept his links with the Urdd right through until 2007 when he competed for the last time (by 2008 he was 25 and too old to qualify).
He also took up the trumpet and cornet which he played right through to his A Level music exam. He also plays the piano.
Birmingham Conservatoire
Rhydian won a bursary to Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University (then known as the University of Central England) to study music and become a classically trained singer. The Director of Theatre Studies, Michael Barry, commented that "Rhydian was a star pupil at the Conservatoire from the very beginning". Rhydian had lessons first with Adrian Clarke and then with Christine Cairns.
Prizes
He won several prizes during his time at the Conservatoire including the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize, the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, the Reginald Vincent Lieder Prize and the Mario Lanza Awards. Repeatedly judges commented on his talent, his charisma and his connection with the audience.
In his 2nd year he was the first singer from outside London to win the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, beating 13 other second-year vocal students from music colleges around the UK. An esteemed panel of judges composed of internationally renowned singers remarked on his "formidable talent" and his "immediate connection with the audience".
In 2007 the Mario Lanza Awards competition was held at the Recital hall, Birmingham Conservatoire on 26th May. There were 13 competitors taking part, and the programme promised us a very enjoyable afternoon's entertainment. There was barely an empty seat as the competition began. Michael Barry, head of Drama studies introduced the Adjudicator Donald Maxwell in Julian Pike's absence. ”The programme was excellent with arias from Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Rossini, Gounod, Dvorak, Donizetti and Bellini, giving the Adjudicator quite a task to choose the winner of the competition. Eventually, the decision was announced, and the winner was Rhydian Roberts, who sang "Largo al factotum" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini. His second aria was "Avant de quitter ces lieux" from Faust, by Gounod. He was very confident, and both arias suited him perfectly. He gave a very polished performance, and was a worthy winner”.
Performances
He also secured leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire's major classical operas and musicals during his time as a student.
In March 2004 he played the Faun in La Calisto by Cavalli; and 3 months later he played Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim (both at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham), photos by Christian Payne.
His stage presence and charisma were often highlighted in reviews. His performance as Edward Kelley in Doctor Dee was noted by the Birmingham Post as “charismatic, threatening and attractive”. In Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri his commanding stage presence was again highlighted.
In his second year he was also auditioned, on Michael Barry's recommendation, by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's (CBSO) Musical Director Sakari Oramo. He was cast immediately in the role of Morales in the CBSO’s semi-staged performance of Carmen. As Morales in Carmen he was noted for conveying genuine depth of masculine charisma. The performance was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 27 September 2005. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/operaon3/pip/d6pji/
In June 2006 Rhydian took the lead role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in the musical by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn (Crescent Theatre, Birmingham - directed by Michael Barry, and conducted by Ben Kennedy). “Rhydian was a smash hit with audiences in his portrayal of the tortured two-faced genius
In 2007 Rhydian graduated with a First Class honours degree in music from Birmingham City University. [note: he was awarded an “Honours” degree and not an “honorary” degree]. The graduation ceremony was held on 30th January 2008.
Knowing that he would never get a prominent Opera role early in his career, he decided to consider alternatives. He auditioned for the BBC talent contest Any Dream Will Do to find a lead for Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. However, he did not make it past bootcamp as his voice was not deemed right for the production's pop score.
Prizes
He won several prizes during his time at the Conservatoire including the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize, the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, the Reginald Vincent Lieder Prize and the Mario Lanza Awards. Repeatedly judges commented on his talent, his charisma and his connection with the audience.
In his 2nd year he was the first singer from outside London to win the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, beating 13 other second-year vocal students from music colleges around the UK. An esteemed panel of judges composed of internationally renowned singers remarked on his "formidable talent" and his "immediate connection with the audience".
In 2007 the Mario Lanza Awards competition was held at the Recital hall, Birmingham Conservatoire on 26th May. There were 13 competitors taking part, and the programme promised us a very enjoyable afternoon's entertainment. There was barely an empty seat as the competition began. Michael Barry, head of Drama studies introduced the Adjudicator Donald Maxwell in Julian Pike's absence. ”The programme was excellent with arias from Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Rossini, Gounod, Dvorak, Donizetti and Bellini, giving the Adjudicator quite a task to choose the winner of the competition. Eventually, the decision was announced, and the winner was Rhydian Roberts, who sang "Largo al factotum" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia by Rossini. His second aria was "Avant de quitter ces lieux" from Faust, by Gounod. He was very confident, and both arias suited him perfectly. He gave a very polished performance, and was a worthy winner”.
Performances
He also secured leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire's major classical operas and musicals during his time as a student.
In March 2004 he played the Faun in La Calisto by Cavalli; and 3 months later he played Charley Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim (both at Crescent Theatre, Birmingham), photos by Christian Payne.
His stage presence and charisma were often highlighted in reviews. His performance as Edward Kelley in Doctor Dee was noted by the Birmingham Post as “charismatic, threatening and attractive”. In Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri his commanding stage presence was again highlighted.
In his second year he was also auditioned, on Michael Barry's recommendation, by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's (CBSO) Musical Director Sakari Oramo. He was cast immediately in the role of Morales in the CBSO’s semi-staged performance of Carmen. As Morales in Carmen he was noted for conveying genuine depth of masculine charisma. The performance was broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 27 September 2005. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/operaon3/pip/d6pji/
In June 2006 Rhydian took the lead role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in the musical by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn (Crescent Theatre, Birmingham - directed by Michael Barry, and conducted by Ben Kennedy). “Rhydian was a smash hit with audiences in his portrayal of the tortured two-faced genius
In 2007 Rhydian graduated with a First Class honours degree in music from Birmingham City University. [note: he was awarded an “Honours” degree and not an “honorary” degree]. The graduation ceremony was held on 30th January 2008.
Knowing that he would never get a prominent Opera role early in his career, he decided to consider alternatives. He auditioned for the BBC talent contest Any Dream Will Do to find a lead for Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. However, he did not make it past bootcamp as his voice was not deemed right for the production's pop score.
X-Factor 2007 Series 4
During the audition stages it was Dannii Minogue who gave him his only 'no' vote from the judges. Ironically, it was she who later became his mentor and who went on to champion his distinctive style.
Rhydian did not tell his parents that he had entered the X Factor so it was a surprise when they learned he had succeeded in reaching the finals and a very exciting time for them.
His classically trained voice soon won the hearts of the public, despite early controversy over footage which portrayed him as a pantomime villain. In live shows his commanding and compelling performances soon won him an army of supporters.
During the competition he sang:
Week 1: Meatloaf's 'I Would Do Anything For Love'
Week 2: The Phantom of the Opera
Week 3: Pink's 'Get The Party Started'
Week 4: Lovland & Graham's 'You Raise Me Up'
Week 5: Pet Shop Boys' 'Go West'
Week 6: Bernstein & Sondheim's 'Somewhere'
Week 7: Queen's 'Somebody To Love' and Spring-Rice & Holst's 'I Vow To Thee My Country'/ Skarbek's 'World In Union'
Week 8: Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'
Week 9: Adam & Cappeau's 'O Holy Night', Somewhere and a duet of 'You Raise Me Up' with Katherine Jenkins.
Rhydian was 3/1 on favourite with the bookmakers to win but the competition, and the prize of a guaranteed recording contract, was won by Leon Jackson amidst allegations of irregularities in the phone voting system.
The day after the final Simon Cowell offered Rhydian his own recording contract.
Rhydian did not tell his parents that he had entered the X Factor so it was a surprise when they learned he had succeeded in reaching the finals and a very exciting time for them.
His classically trained voice soon won the hearts of the public, despite early controversy over footage which portrayed him as a pantomime villain. In live shows his commanding and compelling performances soon won him an army of supporters.
During the competition he sang:
Week 1: Meatloaf's 'I Would Do Anything For Love'
Week 2: The Phantom of the Opera
Week 3: Pink's 'Get The Party Started'
Week 4: Lovland & Graham's 'You Raise Me Up'
Week 5: Pet Shop Boys' 'Go West'
Week 6: Bernstein & Sondheim's 'Somewhere'
Week 7: Queen's 'Somebody To Love' and Spring-Rice & Holst's 'I Vow To Thee My Country'/ Skarbek's 'World In Union'
Week 8: Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and Simon & Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'
Week 9: Adam & Cappeau's 'O Holy Night', Somewhere and a duet of 'You Raise Me Up' with Katherine Jenkins.
Rhydian was 3/1 on favourite with the bookmakers to win but the competition, and the prize of a guaranteed recording contract, was won by Leon Jackson amidst allegations of irregularities in the phone voting system.
The day after the final Simon Cowell offered Rhydian his own recording contract.
Recording Contract
In January 2008, amidst rumours that the famous composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was interested in working with Rhydian, he signed a recording contract with Sony BMG.
Rhydian continued to work closely with Simon Cowell's Syco for his first 2 albums after which he left saying that "I enjoyed my time with Syco but I've always wanted to be taken seriously as a classical singer. Syco is no longer the best label for me. In creative terms they don't have the right approach or experience when it comes to classical music. This is something they would admit themselves. They changed my life forever. And I'll always be grateful to the three-and-a-half million people who voted for me"
Rhydian continued to work closely with Simon Cowell's Syco for his first 2 albums after which he left saying that "I enjoyed my time with Syco but I've always wanted to be taken seriously as a classical singer. Syco is no longer the best label for me. In creative terms they don't have the right approach or experience when it comes to classical music. This is something they would admit themselves. They changed my life forever. And I'll always be grateful to the three-and-a-half million people who voted for me"