Bryn Terfel is a Welsh bass-baritone opera singer. Born in Pant Glas, Caernarfonshire, Terfel attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 1989 with the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial award. He has since performed leading roles in Mozart, Puccini and Wagner at some of the most famous opera houses in the world. In 1996 he won the Royal Philharmonic Society award for singer of the year and he became the second recipient of the Queen's medal for music in 2006. His new album Homeward Bound, recorded in Salt Lake City with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, is out now.
Actor: Rhys Ifans
I was at Guildhall with him and he has done some magnificent work since he left. He stole the show in Notting Hill and as Howard Marks in Mr Nice (left). Now he's in the latest Spider-Man movies. I always keep my eye on what he's doing because it's always interesting and makes me laugh.
Institution: Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
This college has just had a magnificent refurbishment and opened a couple of brand new theatres – one for plays and drama and one for recitals. It's a chamber venue and it's absolutely beautiful. Not only do they have wonderful students coming through each year but international artists such as the Emerson String Quartet perform there too.
Art: The Frick Collection, New York
I live such a vagabond existence that galleries are always on my radar, wherever I am. The Frick Collection in New York is one of my favourites. It is beautiful and I feel as though I am walking around somebody's house.
Musical: Gypsy
Imelda Staunton will be starring in this West End musical at the end of the year. She was brilliant in the Jonathan Kent production of Sweeney Todd. It was very dark but she had comic timing in spades – I giggled all the way through. This will see them pair up again.
Venue: Royal Albert Hall
It is a building that always sends me into delirious nervousness because it's such a huge place to sing. Each time I've performed there at the Proms is as daunting as the last, but also very exciting. I would love to do a concert here singing in the round.
Opera: Welsh National Opera
David Pountney is a renowned artistic director and I have to commend him. He chooses operas that you question at first glance but are wonderful, such as Lulu by Alban Berg. The Tudors, a series of three Donizetti operas, are on this season.