"The importance of opera is slipping from the diary and there may be a change in 2008," Terfel told interviewer Dei Tomos. "I want a year that's clear of opera, to concentrate on concerts and radio and TV work."

Born in Wales, Terfel won the art song competition at Cardiff Singer of the World Competition in 1989, finishing second to Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the main competition. He made his debut at Welsh National Opera, as as Guglielmo in CosÐ fan tutte, the following year; debuts followed at English National Opera, Royal Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and, in 1994, at the Metropolitan Opera. His roles include Falstaff, Figaro, and, in recent years, Wotan and other Wagner roles. He also sings German lieder and other art song in recital.

He founded the Faenol Festival in northwest Wales and was a driving force behind the creation of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.