They say the third time is a charm, but for the world-renowned English tenor Russell Watson, one chance was all he needed to capture the hearts of Taiwanese audiences and secure their devotion.
The self-declared “People’s Tenor,” who held his first concert in Taipei in 2006 and performed at the 2009 World Games in Kaohsiung, will return to Taiwan for the third time on June 6.
The organizers said the singing sensation would be accompanied by a 70-member orchestra and a 16-member choir. Tickets for the concert at the Taipei Arena are still available, organizers said.
A native of Lancashire, England, Watson demonstrated his singing talent early on, but he remained a virtual unknown until he started singing at a men’s club. In 1999, he landed a chance to sing England’s national anthem at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
His debut album The Voice, released in May 2001, was an instant hit that catapulted him to international stardom. The album helped him make history by becoming the first British artist to hold the No. 1 spot on both the US and UK classical music charts.
His ninth and latest album La Voce was released last year to rave reviews.
However, his success did not come without rough patches. Vocal cord surgery in 2003 and two life-threatening brain tumors brought the threat of silence to the singer.
However, Watson said the surgery improved his pitch and made his voice “thicker, richer and warmer.”
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