Hard to believe it’s been twenty years since the release of ‘The Voice’, the landmark debut album from Russell Watson and the bestselling classical album of this century. Now the boy is a man celebrating twenty years at the top with a career that has inspired so many and created an entire genre of classical music in the process.
’20’, is an anniversary disc which captures key moments in his career with 13 newly recorded songs sung in his unmistakable trademark tenor.
Russell has overcome many things in his life maintaining a dignity few could rival when struck by not one but two brain tumours and bouncing back in better voice than before, so he wasn’t going to let lockdown stand in the way of his stunning new album. Travel restrictions meant that long-time producer Ian Tilley had to stay in his native New Zealand so he assembled a socially distanced orchestra in Christchurch while Russell hunkered down in Wilmslow, taking instructions and overseeing proceedings via Skype.
“Normally I’d always be at orchestra sessions, but in fact this didn’t feel much different,” Russell admits. “I was in a booth wearing headphones. I could have been 10 feet rather than 10,000 miles away.”
The track listing is a veritable feast of reimagining’s of his greatest hits. “There are certain songs that needed to be there because they define my career, with regards to recording but particularly live,” Russell says. “Volare is a staple. I’ve sung it at every concert for at least 25 years. And obviously Nessun Dorma, which launched my career.”
And what a career. Warmly referred to as the People’s Tenor, Russell’s journey took him from a Salford estate to the world’s most prestigious concert halls, and to becoming the best-selling male classical artist of all time.
“You don’t come from a Salford factory floor to conquering the classical world without being a driven lunatic”.
Russell’s 20th Anniversary tour will now take place in 2021.
Rescheduled dates below:
January
Sun 10th AYLESBURY, Waterside Theatre
February
Thu 4th HARROGATE, Royal Hall
Sun 7th CREWE, Lyceum
Tue 9th HIGH WYCOMBE, Swan Theatre
Thu 11th NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Sun 14th WOKING, New Victoria Theatre
Tue 16th CHELTENHAM, Town Hall
Thu 18th SHREWSBURY, Severn Theatre
Sat 20th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall
Sun 21st SOUTHEND, Cliffs Pavilion
Thu 25th BASINGSTOKE, Anvil
Sun 28th YORK, Barbican
March
Tue 2nd LEICESTER, De Montfort Hall
Sat 6th CARDIFF, St. David’s Hall
Sun 7th MILTON KEYNES, Milton Keynes Theatre
Tue 9th LEEDS, Town Hall
Sun 14th MANCHESTER, Bridgewater Hall
Sat 20th HULL, Bonus Arena
Tue 30th BUXTON, Opera House (ON SALE SOON)
June
Sat 19th WOLVERHAMPTON, Grand Theatre (ON SALE SOON)
