Wynne Evans is a Welsh tenor. Known for his role as the tenor Gio Compario in the Gocompare.com insurance adverts on television in the United Kingdom, he sang, as Ubaldo Piangi, in the 25th Anniversary production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. He also responded to the New Zealand All Blacks' Haka in 2004, singing 'Cwm Rhondda'. He went on to sing at over 30 Welsh International rugby matches.
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» All Actor InterviewsI'm off now. Thank you everyone for your comments! If you have anymore questions please do leave them and I'll try to answer them! If you are looking for more info about me feel free to have a look at my website at http://www.wynneevans.co.uk
Wynne
When not singing to millions as the opera star character Gio Compario for the Gocompare.com advertising campaign, I am a regular presenter on BBC Radio Wales and Classic FM. I also present my own TV series on the BBC and S4C. I was honoured by the Eisteddfod with the title of Gorsedd of the Bards. I sang the role of Piangi in the 25 year anniversary performance of The Phantom of the Opera, which was broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall to cinemas worldwide.
I have been an opera singer for over 20 years and have sung principal at most of the major opera houses including The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Welsh National Opera, Opera De Lyon Glyndebourne Festival and the Metropolitan Opera.
I am Wynne Evans, ask me anything.
My Proof:
https://twitter.com/wynneevans/status/628941393055096832
What would you rather fight:
1 BRIAN the Robot sized Meerkat, or 100 Meerkat sized BRIAN the Robots?
who? I've never heard of these people ;-)
Do you ever get abuse in the street? I have nothing against you personally, but I found the adverts incredibly annoying after a while, I can imagine a few people taking it out on you.
Oh you old charmer! no people always say on twitter and stuff 'If I ever meet you I'll blah blah blah' but the reality is most people say 'can I have a selfie' or 'can you sing the song to me?'
The most popular question people want to ask when they meet me is 'do you get free insurance' , and the answer is , sadly not.
Sut mae'r Gymraeg yn datblygu? Roedd y safon yn dda ar C@I, wastad yn bleser clywed yr iaith yn cael ei siarad gan siaradwyr newydd. Dal ati!
ah Diolch, Dwi'n dwli i siarad Cymraeg, ar mae wedi gwerthfawrogi fy mywed. Diolch o Galon
'Somebody to love' by Queen, you glorious man.
http://vine.co/v/eHY2xe3tJFK have a look
Do you ever burst into opera when reaching orgasm?
I've never really felt the need or thought about it to be honest.
I'll be sure to try it next time though, thanks for the tip and Mrs Evans says thanks as well, although the neighbours may not thank you for the noise.
Would you rather fight one GoCompare Man sized Meerkat, or 100 Meerkat sized GoCompare men?
I reckon I could take on the GoCompare man, although I've heard he's a beast! Apparently there's special powers in the tache
Hi Wynne, I sung the part of Enjolras alongside your Javert when we did 'One Day More' in St. David's Hall last year. He's one of the roles I'd love to play in a musical, but what is your dream role?
Ah yes I remember!
I've only really done one musical on the professional stage and that was the 25th anniversary performance of Phantom Of The Opera, I found the schedule really hard work, so I think I'll stick to opera from now on.
On the opera stage I really like the comedy roles, so more of those, fledermaus, Vixen and Ariadne. I'm singing Ariadne as my next piece at the Royal Opera in October.
Keep singing
Glad to hear it, can you sing a song to me?
What do you fancy?
Has the advert campaign helped or hurt your career? Do you regret or relish the attention it has brought?
Yeah it's helped me loads! I'm answering this question whilst sat on the set of a new BBC comedy series, which I wouldn't be in had it not been for the ads. It's allowed me to diversify quite a lot, which has kept me sane!
I got a record deal because I was in the ad and I'm sure my radio shows are as a result of my heightened profile, which is because I'm in the ads. It is without doubt the best job I've ever had
What is your method for curing a sore throat?
It's a difficult one, there is no fast way to cure a sore throat, sadly. Loads of people say different things from honey, lemon to bucket loads of whiskey (which sounds good to me)
but the best way for me is steaming and gargle with salt water.
if that doesn't work, go back to the whiskey and you'll forget you had a sore throat in the first place.
I like your big comeback in the Go Compare ad - did you insist it would have to be that triumphant before you'd agree to return?
I was always going to be coming back and I think any comeback would have to be massive, but I didn't expect it to be this big!
It's been huge, with a 90 second ad, a full orchestra, a big radio campaign and the posters all over the UK. It's been fantastic, and the reaction to it has been brilliant.
Who'd you rather have as a sidekick, the Money Super Market Meerkat, or the Confused. com Robot?
I work alone.....more money for me.
I'd love to have a night out with that shake and Vac babe and Barry Scott....I think it could messy
I'm currently staying next door to BBC Wales at the management centre in Bangor. I have no idea how to phrase this as a question.
How do you deal with the crummy Welsh weather?
it's gorgeous here isn't it?
It's all part of being welsh....I was actually 8 before I realised you could take a rain coat off.
Be sure to tune into my BBC Radio Wales show on Friday from 1, text me 81012 and I'll give you a shout out
Why did you become an opera singer in the first place ? What/who inspired you ?
Money?
no to be serious, my parents run a theatre so I saw a load of theatre when I was little. I loved classical music, and singing so I thought I'd put the two together. I actually went to become an opera singer without actually singing an opera....stupid or what.
When I was little though my parent had the record 'Mario Lanza at Christmas' so I used to listen to that over and over again, even in July
What do you think of Wales hopes in the European championships ?
I think they're really really good, If Wales win then I think we should change the name of the country to Bales.
When I was having photos taken for the new GoCompare ad I had the same photographer as took the new new Bale pictures for the new Adidas campaign and I have to be honest I got very excited
I took my 11 year old son, Tal, to the last game against Belgium and the atmosphere was unbelievable, I'll defo go to the finals next year.
Unfortunately I'll be home in Leeds on Friday. I'll see what I can do.
Tune in online ;-})
I'm in need of some car insurance, do you have any advice on what to do?
Let me think about this one.......Why don't you try clears throat 'GOCOMPARE'
I am actually singing as I type that.
What is your favorite vocal piece to sing and why?
I love singing the Lanza songs like Be My Love, Because You're Mine and others like that they seem to sit well in my voice...I hope.
Hardest thing I've ever sung was the role of the Duke in Rigoletto
What is best joke you know?
A talking Meerkat and a Robot with a name.....that's ridiculous isn't it?
Haha great answer. Did losing weight affect your voice at all? I assume it has something to do with it seeing as there aren't really any thin opera singers.
no it doesn't make any difference. I think the thing is, opera used to be less of a visual thing, so we could get away with being big fatties.
I think having lost a bit of weight (still loads to go!) I do feel better, and voice feel ok!
if the voice goes downhill rapidly I'll be straight back on the intravenous Haribos
I saw you a couple of years ago at the De Montfort Hall Centenary!
As such a talented singer, what made you decide to become one of the nations most hated characters? (sorry)
It's alright.....you're not the first to say that and I doubt you'll be the last.
I just loved the creative, I loved the song, the character and I love the people that work at GoCompare, it was a tiny company when I started back with them in 2009, so I've grown with them.
I'm the kind of person who gets bored very quickly so it's been fantastic to diversify.
......that and the money ;-})
How many rooms does your house have?
What car do you have?
Have you actually used the website yourself?
Do you have any children? If so what do they think about the adverts, do they gesticulate wildly at the tv yelling 'IT'S DAD!'?
I like these, loads of questions in one.....brilliant.
Ok how many rooms does my house have first - we bought the house in our area we'd always fancied about two years ago and since then it's been a labour of love renovating it. We bought it really cheaply because it was so run down. We had to replace everything from new walls to new floorboards. It's been a brilliant project. But to answer your question.....It's got 5 bedrooms
Next to the question of the car - I've just got a new car, I don't really know much about cars but I like having different cars as often as I can. At the moment I think I'm having a midlife crisis because I've got a 2 seater, Mercedes SLK .....don't really know much about other than it has red seats
Course I use the website, it's brilliant. I was actually using the website before I came to work for GoCompare.com
Yep I've got two kids my daughter Ismay is 13 and my son Taliesin is 11. They've always grown up with me on TV or in the theatre so they don't really bat an eyelid. They're really pleased to see Gio return, cause they think he's a fun character
Tell me this and tell me no more - the people that sing in the big opera choruses - are they only there as a stepping stone to getting solo roles themselves, or are they steadfast chorus members for life?
I'm asking, because it's my dream to have a career as a professional choral singer, I've little interest in solo work, and I'm wondering what the story is with working in an opera chorus.
Cheers.
They are career choristers. Really difficult job to do what they do and fabulous singer.
Although some use it as a stepping stone while their voice matures but in the big houses they're mainly there for the long haul.
Good luck
Hey Wynne! Big fan of your earlier work. How does it feel to transition into being the biggest outcast in the Opera community after losing that weight? To be the most phony among your peers?
Feels good mate, who needs the respect of you peers! ;-)
To be honest I did lose weight , but sadly, I have never had the need to use a fat suit, I'd love to be in the position, but my gut has different ideas.
Wynne any plans to perform at the RWC? I learnt Calon Lan thanks to your video.
I wish I was but sadly not. I'll be watching and cheering on the welsh team though at all their games this will keep you going for the time being https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayAxm6KA2rw
Is the tash real?
I wish it was! A reporter once asked me that and I said 'no it's stuck on' to which she replied 'and how long does it take to get into the fat suit' to which I had to reply 'no love that is real'
The tache is yaks hair and is stuck on with really strong glue......and it falls off all the time