Interview: Rebecca Evans, Soprano

BaskOldFace--Identity-H;mso-bidi-font-family:BaskOldFace--Identity-H">"I think

it will be much better than anything on TV," laughs world renowned soprano

Rebecca Evans, of her upcoming performance in the Brangwyn Hall.

"Downton

Abbey will have been on Christmas Day, which is the only thing worth watching,

so come out and enjoy a night of sparkling music instead!"

Born and

raised in Pontrhydyfen, Port Talbot, Rebecca is more than familiar with

performing at the Brangwyn Hall, and is looking forward to returning there with

the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

"It's

always like a homecoming," she says. "One should always try their best – but I

think I try even more so when I perform there. A lot of the people I grew up

with come to see me. And my best friends, the people I used to work as a nurse

with, will be there. We have a big reunion every January, so it'll be great to

catch up with them."

But for

all the celebrations, Rebecca, who now lives in Penarth, will also be in a more

reflective mood on at the first day of 2013.

"My

grandfather died on New Year's Eve years ago," she explains, "so its cast

something of a shadow on it. I don't party as such, I find the occasion

slightly melancholy."

A firm

favourite with opera fans throughout the world, Rebecca has long been praised

for her inspirational performances. But she is also a firm favourite among her

peers, and is relishing the opportunity of passing on some of her vast

experience to the upcoming crop of Welsh talent.

"I love

teaching," she says. "I'll probably do more as I mature. If I can pass on some

of the things I've learned to help future stars, then I'd love to. In fact, I

still have lessons myself. My teacher is 88, and I'll probably get a grilling

off her on Monday!" she laughs.

Outside

of performing, Rebecca has caught the Twitter bug – but tries to keep it for

social use only. "I never tweet about my performances – I find that a bit

boastful. But I do love reading what everyone else is talking about. I love

cooking and food, so I use it for things like MasterChef rather than work. And

my husband is one of the top 100 political tweeters in the country, so he's on

it a lot too."

BBC

National Orchestra of Wales will be performing at the Brangwyn Hall on Tuesday,

January 1.