5 minutes with Baritone James Clayton
Baritone James Clayton is one of WA’s proudest exports. He is in demand throughout Australia and abroad, and known for Verdi roles such as Macbeth, Rigoletto, Falstaff and Il Trovatore.
Have you performed the music of Verdi before?
James: Many times, both the Requiem and his operas. Falstaff was my first role then Rigoletto, Conte di Luna, Macbeth and Giorgio Germont have made regular appearances in my repertoire.
What makes Verdi’s music different to sing when compared to other opera composers?
James: Verdi took a lot of care to really flesh out characters and was a master of using music to elevate drama. He is even credited with inventing a new voice category - the Verdi Baritone.
Do you have a favourite moment in the Verdi Requiem?
James: The Tuba Mirum is and always has been my favourite moment, as I was a brass player in a previous life - it's still amazing to hear all the trumpets on and off stage and eventually all the brass in full flight - I remember thinking "it doesn't get much better than this" the first time I heard it - but I was wrong, the first time I performed it I had the best seat in the house and it was really something else!
What are your memories of previous concerts at Winthrop Hall?
James: My first performance in Winthrop was playing horn in Carmina Burana which is an experience that is still with me today, but I have sung there many times and enjoy the acoustic and the aesthetic very much.
How do you prepare for a performance of the Verdi Requiem?
James: The most basic approach is always best, listen to a few different recordings, sing through the score, mark in breaths and circle dynamics etc - from then on it's a matter of adding more detail by translating text, looking for opportunities to word paint etc. After that rehearsals take care of the final details like tempi.
Each soloist has specific parts of the Latin text assigned to them. Though it's not an opera, do you have to get into character somewhat?
James: For me absolutely, however it's loosely the 'character' of a herald and within that I will pick out certain words that require a different colour for contrast and drama. It's not as fleshed out as in say an opera but definitely running in the background.
