THE
WW L L INTERVIEW
Lesley Garrett , CBE is a soprano singer , musician , broadcaster and media personality and is due to perform at St George ’ s Hall next month . In an exclusive interview with Wirral Life , Lesley talks about her family , career and ambitions .
You ’ re a famous “ northern lass ” with a beautiful voice , but education was important to your parents and at school you got 10 “ O ” Levels and 2 “ A ” Levels , one in music . If music had not worked out for you – what career do you think you would have had ?
I ’ m really interested in politics - I ’ m always watching the Prime Minister ’ s Question Time - so I probably would have pursued a career as a politician . It ’ s such a scary but exciting time in politics with the whole Brexit situation . Although I voted to stay in Europe , I have complete faith in the democratic system . We have a saying in Yorkshire “ spit on your hands and take a fresh hold ” so I take that approach !
A famous Wirral benefactor , Lord Leverhulme , thought education was very important and so he built the famous village of Port Sunlight for his workers which included a school , a museum and a theatre , all still very much in use today . Do you think that those who are able to do so today , should be more philanthropic and support communities and young people with access to art and music in the way that Lord Leverhulme did ?
Absolutely ! I believe that Lord Leverhulme was a saint – he was so enlightened and ahead of his time in the way that he provided such wonderful facilities for his workers . He fully understood how the arts could benefit his employees who became better workers as a result . I feel it is so short-sighted of the government to cut funding in the arts and it saddens me that music is often an optional extra in schools as music touches everyone ’ s lives . Children benefit so greatly from music , it helps them to discover who they are and introduces them to other subjects , such as language , geography , maths and history . Plus , music brings immense physical benefits – it
helps you to breathe properly and promotes co-ordination of the mind and body . It ’ s such a powerful tool of expression , giving a real emotional release – feel good therapy if you like ! I believe all children should have access to music lessons . I think people should definitely support their communities .
Whilst you were at the Royal Academy of Music you did some work as a life model to help fund your studies , did sitting as a model and being looked at so carefully help you prepare for performances in the future ? Do you have any of the pictures that were done of you at that time ?
Yes , it definitely prepared me for a role I had in an opera when I had to appear nude on stage and certainly helped me get rid of any self-consciousness ! I enjoyed being a life model . Being nude never bothered me – it seemed very natural and it was much nicer than other jobs I had when I was a student which included pulling pints behind a bar and washing the dishes ! I would be lay there on a mattress on a rotating turntable – I felt like a doner kebab ! I used the time to learn my lines – I would go over them in my head . I have got two lovely statues that people made of me which are proudly displayed in our hallway . I have to walk past my 21-year-old self !
You ’ ve performed all over the world in various roles , which country did you like to perform in the best and what ’ s your favourite role ?
Great Britain every time ! I love singing in English to English audiences . I ’ ve performed in some great venues . I love the London Coliseum and I ’ ve had some lovely times performing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in Liverpool – they are magnificent . We are so lucky to have so many treasurable theatres in Britain . wirrallife . com 15