Tenor Alfie Boe talks about his new role in the Welsh National Opera production of La Traviata

If you hear a touch of Verdi or Wagner on the production line at Halewood or Ellesmere Port don’t ignore it – you could be working next to the new Alfie Boe

The Fleetwood-born tenor’s musical talents were first spotted when he was heard singing arias while working as an apprentice at the TVR factory near Blackpool.

More than a decade later, and a classical artist with several albums and a Tony award to his name, Alfie is returning to the north west this month with the Welsh National Opera, singing his first Alfredo in the acclaimed David McVicar version of La Traviata.

And it appears the 36-year-old can’t wait to make his first appearance on the Empire stage.

“I’ve never performed at the Empire before but I’ve been at the Phil many times,” he says. “In fact I recorded my second album at the Phil with the RLPO.

“I have a huge connection with Liverpool. It’s a great place, and if I ever moved back to the north west it would be to Merseyside.”

Alfie also admits to being a Liverpool fan – a football allegiance first forged at school in Fleetwood when all his classmates were cheering on rivals Man Utd.

But for now it’s opera which is bringing him to the city.

La Traviata, which also stars Greek soprano Myrto Papatanasiu as Violetta and Dario Solari as Germont, comes to the Empire from October 21-24 in tandem with Puccini’s Madam Butterfly.

“I’m loving it,” says Alfie. “The WNO is a wonderful company and I’ve made some lovely friends – and if I say this they’ll employ me again!

“It’s my fifth production with David (McVicar) and it’s wonderful being involved in his shows. He brings new life to it and makes the story very clear.”

Added to which, the WNO’s pricing structure means some audience members will only have to part with £5 to see some top opera.

Meanwhile it’s a busy time for the tenor. As well as La Traviata next month he releases his new album, Love Was A Dream, recorded with the Royal Scottish Opera and paying tribute to Viennese composer Franz Lehar.

“He wrote so many famous numbers,” says Alfie. “People may not know him but they will recognise the music.”

Source: Liverpool Echo