Ep. 79: Iestyn Davies

 I'm so pleased to share a conversation I recorded back in September with Iestyn Davies. Iestyn is one of the world's most sought after countertenors. A noted interpreter of Handel, his repertoire also extends beyond the traditional confines of the Baroque repertoire, having recently released a disc of English song, and relishing the challenges of contemporary music, as you'll hear later in this conversation. Iestyn and I talked about a range of topics, including his favourite Handel roles, his thoughts on Baroque ornamentation, acting, what it was like working with Sir Mark Rylance, the countertenor repertoire, and maintaining a career in the classical music industry, including some of his thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of competitions and the music college system. I'd seen Iestyn a few months before in a concert performance of Handel's opera Orlando back in the summer with the Academy of Ancient Music at the Barbican; a terrific afternoon of music. We spent the first part talking about this concert, leading into a discussion about some of the more cumbersome aspects of Handel's writing and in concert performances. Thank you very much Iestyn for your time, as well as your patience, your good humour and wise words throughout the hour or so we spent talking!