Ten years of Williams’ tenor

Adriano Graziani who is currently playing Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth in Bern, Switzerland

Williams Rochdale, the leading retailer of BMW, Mini, Land Rover and BMW Bikes in the North West, is celebrating its ten year anniversary of sponsoring the Welsh/Italian opera singer Adriano Graziani.

Graziani came to the attention of Williams chairman Margaret Orton Williams while competing at the 2003 International Eisteddfodd in Llangollen. So impressed was Margaret with the tenor that she offered to sponsor his studies as he developed his voice and career.

Graziani has an Italian father and a Welsh mother and was brought up in Neath, South Wales and in Orvieto, Italy. His interest in music began at an early age, whilst listening to his father’s opera records. Encouraged by his success at the Eisteddfodd, Graziani auditioned for a place at the Royal College of Music, London. During his time there, he met the world renowned tenor, Dennis O’Neill, who subsequently became his tutor and mentor.

Since then Graziani has embarked on an international operatic career. Most recently, he has sung Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly in Holland, and is currently singing Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth in Bern, Switzerland. Future roles include Cavaradossi (Tosca) in Holland, and Alfredo (La Traviata) in Switzerland and America.

Graziani said: “The support from the Williams Group has been invaluable. Without it, I could never have realised my dream of an international career in opera. I am forever in their debt."

A spokesperson for Williams added: “Adriano has enormous talent and it is a privilege to have supported him from the beginning. We are also delighted to have the opportunity to hear this world class voice at our events, when his schedule allows.”