Opera singer David Webb to Ohmygossip.com: Pavarotti´s voice moved me and I realised I wanted to do the same

OHMYGOSSIP – “I want to be successful, I’d love to record some more music in the future and hopefully inspire people, like myself, who weren’t necessarily ok with Opera and Classical music to start with, to head to concert halls and opera house to hear the incredible world that Classical music has to offer,” talented and famous tenor David Webb, who is singing at the Roof Gardens in Kensington on the 24th August and who´s next show “Tristan Und Isolde” opens 9th June at English National Opera, tells Ohmygossip.com exclusively.

David Webb, please, tell us about yourself?
Hello! I’m David Webb, I’m 32 and I’m an Opera Singer (That sounds like the opening line of someone on Blind Date!). I’m also an Ambassador for Wellchild and Operation Smile Charities, I’ve created my own Christmas Charity Challenge called #carols4cancer for the Institute of Cancer Research and I’m a Brand Ambassador for EastClub London Suits and GC Watches.

Where and when you were born? Where do you live now? What you do for a living?
I was born in Plymouth but my whole family comes from Cornwall originally. I now live in London with my Fiancé who is an Interior Designer. I’m a classical opera singer with a twist.

Where and what you have studied?
I studied Music at the Royal College of Music and then further Opera at The International Opera School.

Let´s talk more about music. Where and when did your love of singing / opera come from? How long have you been singing?
I used to think Opera and Classical music was boring and not my sort of thing, but my brother took me to see Pavarotti in Hyde Park when I was 18 and it changed everything. This man’s voice moved people and I realised I wanted to do the same.

Are you a full-time or part-time musican/ tenor? (How does that affect your life? What are some day jobs that you have held? If any of them impacted your music career, please share an example.)
Having worked at a Fish and Chip shop, a removal man, an ice cream man and a barman, I’m very glad I’m just a full time opera singer now!

Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
I’ve been lucky enough to sing Opera at the Glyndebourne Festival, English National Opera, Teatro Real Madrid, Opera Comique Paris, Russia, Spain, the Royal Albert Hall for the Queen and on the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

You are a famous tenor. Who are some of your own favorite musicans/ tenors /singers that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your career?
I love DJ Premier and Gangstarr, as well as The Foo Fighters, Michael Bolton was my Mum’s hero and so I used to listen to him all the time, but voice wise there are only two which I could really want to sound like, Pavarotti and Freddy Mercury.

What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
Depending on the size of the role you can be called as little or often as is needed. At the moment my next show at English National Opera (Tristan Und Isolde opens 9th June). I’m a very small part early on in the opera, so I’m only called now and again.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
My biggest challenge is myself, I want to be the best I can be which means working hard and always asking myself is that the right sound I want and can I secure a better technique, etc – I’m lucky to have some great coaches and a brilliant singing teacher whose ears I trust!

What do you think most characterizes your singing? What inspires you? What projects are you working on at the present?
When it comes to singing, I try to make the most honest sound I can and hope that people like it! After Tristan, I head to Glyndebourne Festival Opera to work on Britten’s Midsummer Nights Dream and then Don Giovanni, before singing the role of Frederic at English National Opera next January.

What’s your ultimate direction as a singer? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
I want to be successful, I’d love to record some more music in the future and hopefully inspire people, like myself, who wasn’t necessarily ok with Opera and Classical music to start with, to head to concert halls and opera house to hear the incredible world that Classical music has to offer.

How can fans gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
I’m on Twitter @davidpwebb and the same for Instagram – I’m pretty vocal and love a debate, mainly sports! Or http://Facebook.com/davidwebbtenor

What would you like to be doing five years from now? What are your long-term goals – how are you preparing yourself to achieve them?
I want to be singing Nemorino as much as possible and working harder than ever on my technique will allow me to achieve this goal without a doubt.

Who is your role model and why?
I’ve been fortunate to have had a number of strong people in my life, my Mum, singing teachers and rugby coaches, but my Grandpa was probably the classiest and inspirational man I’ve ever known and to be half the man he was would be a success for me.

What was the best advice you’ve been given?
Don’t stop working.

What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
I love going to the gym, cooking, eating the biggest and best burgers around and going to live sports.

Please name 5 interesting things/facts people don’t know about you…
1. I’m a Gemini.
2. I’m 80% Paleo
3. I hate Marmite
4. I love Oreo Milkshakes from Byron
5. I love Peanut Butter.