The wins were just as sweet as his first two Grammys, received last year. This year, however, Griffey is in Perth, Australia, performing the title role in a new production of the opera “Peter Grimes,” which has become one of his signature roles. He’ll sing the same role in the new production with the Houston Grand Opera in the fall.
While in Australia, where it’s blazing hot, Griffey has been keeping up with friends largely through the Internet, and that’s how he found out about this year’s honors.
He awoke very early to watch the live stream of the Grammy announcements.
“I had only been watching for about 10 minutes when they announced Best Classical Album,” Griffey said via an e-mail. “It’s always exciting to be nominated and the win is like the icing on a cake. ... I’m just as excited this year.”
Last year Griffey was able to attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles and walk the red carpet. This year he celebrated by calling his mother, Joyce Griffey, in High Point. Then he called his brother and had an Internet video chat with his nephews, William and Keenan Griffey, also in High Point. The two are budding opera fans and were watching a DVD of their uncle singing when Griffey called.
“It thrills my soul when they ask me to sing,” he said.
Griffey will return to High Point at the middle of the month and almost immediately will resume teaching music students at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. At the end of the month, he leaves again to perform in Italy.
vknopfler@hpe.com | 888-3601
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