From car mechanic to internationally loved opera, musical and recording star: the story of Alfie Boe...Alfie Boe is the first official bad boy of opera: a musical superstar celebrated not only in Britain, but worldwide. This is the story of his life - the ups and the downs, from finding fame to losing his father - and, essentially, of his love affair with music. Raised in Lancashire, the youngest of nine children and with a father who played opera at home, Alfie's story is not typical of most musical stars. His dreams of singing were only ever going to be dreams until fate intervened in the form of a stranger: he was training as a car mechanic when a customer overheard him singing and told him about a London audition. Alfie tried out, got the part and has never since looked back. This is the tale of how Alfie went from car mechanic to the UK's most popular and well-known opera star, lauded by Baz Luhrman, Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Parkinson as the best tenor we've produced in a generation. Now, for the first time, he has granted his millions of fans an intimate glimpse into the life of the man they adore.
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Alfie Boe is an internationally celebrated English tenor. He and his actress wife, Sarah, live in London with their three-year-old daughter Grace.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Orrymain
Format:Hardcover
Alfie Boe was described this summer as "a rock star that was blessed with an operatic gift." Never has a description been more apt than for this native of Fleetwood, a small town near Blackpool in England. Proud of his British heritage, Alfie also considers America to be his home and has, in fact, lived in the States off and on. A Tony Award winner for his role as Rodolfo in La Boheme on Broadway, he met his American wife, Sarah, while appearing in another production in San Francisco. The couple now have two blessings of their own, a beautiful girl and a bouncing baby boy.
This is not a biography, but a memoir of Alfie's rise from a body mechanic to successful tenor to singer of all songs, from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to the Eagles to Slim Whitman to John Prine, and the list goes on. He was once labeled Britain's stunning new tenor and ended up being called the people's tenor. However, that road to operatic success was nothing like anyone might think. He struggled with a rigid regime in the opera world, an establishment that was hellbent on changing him, stripping away as many layers of his soul as they could. That just did not work for Alfie. He had success but was often miserable, and even the success that looked to the world to be so strong really was doing little to help him become settled and be able to provide for his family.
In spite of his name's recognition in the United Kingdom and having released four albums, Alfie was on the verge of leaving the music world behind when he landed the role of Jean Valjean for the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Miserables, a part that Michael Ball recommended him for. If there was ever a life changing moment for a performer, it was the performance and subsequent 4 1/2 minute ovation Alfie received after he sang the classic prayer, Bring Him Home. To paraphrase his co-star and huge comic success in Britain, Matt Lucas, a star had been born. Decca Records certainly had an epiphany after the performance and quickly signed Alfie to a recording contract that has seen two extremely successful CDs released and a third about to go on sale in November.
At last, he was able to say goodbye to opera and follow the dictates of his heart. No longer did he have to endure the psychological abuse of an elitist society that cared so little about him that he was once temporarily blinded and yet asked how soon he could be back on stage with no concern for his physical well-being at all. It was this same society that didn't believe he should even audition for Les Mis for it was deemed musical theater and beneath the role of opera star. That he would even consider it was shocking to that world.
Alfie Boe believes there is just two types of music, good and bad, and he wants to sing the good music. He does just that, in concerts that both rock out and slow down. Classical music is still dear to his heart and is included in his concerts that are now referred to as interactive events. To experience an Alfie concert means singing with him and to him; it means being prepared for him to hear and respond to just about anything within his range, and he has a big range; it means getting up on your feet and dancing the night away; and it means having the time of your life as his love of music emanates from his soul to his audience.
The youngest of nine children, Alfie's story includes the sad death of his father, the joyful birth of his children, admissions about college life that show he's just a human being who makes mistakes as we all do, and how he overcame so much adversity to not only be the rising success he is today, but just to have retained his sanity after his struggles with the opera world. At last, Alfie is "pretty much" living his dream, doing everything from performing with rock legends like Robert Plant who he now calls a friend to performing for the Royal Family during the Diamond Jubilee. He simply does it all.
Today, Alfie says "I *was* an opera singer."
Today, Alfie says, "I *am* a singer."
All Alfie Boe ever wanted to do was sing, just sing. Now, he gets to follow his heart.
This book will have you laughing hysterically from time to time, and in other moments, it will leave you in tears. It may even anger you to learn all that he had to go through to be the opera star that he was. More than anything, however, this book will endear this sweet man with a big voice and even bigger heart to anyone who reads his story.
This is not a biography, but a memoir of Alfie's rise from a body mechanic to successful tenor to singer of all songs, from Elvis to the Rolling Stones to the Eagles to Slim Whitman to John Prine, and the list goes on. He was once labeled Britain's stunning new tenor and ended up being called the people's tenor. However, that road to operatic success was nothing like anyone might think. He struggled with a rigid regime in the opera world, an establishment that was hellbent on changing him, stripping away as many layers of his soul as they could. That just did not work for Alfie. He had success but was often miserable, and even the success that looked to the world to be so strong really was doing little to help him become settled and be able to provide for his family.
In spite of his name's recognition in the United Kingdom and having released four albums, Alfie was on the verge of leaving the music world behind when he landed the role of Jean Valjean for the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Miserables, a part that Michael Ball recommended him for. If there was ever a life changing moment for a performer, it was the performance and subsequent 4 1/2 minute ovation Alfie received after he sang the classic prayer, Bring Him Home. To paraphrase his co-star and huge comic success in Britain, Matt Lucas, a star had been born. Decca Records certainly had an epiphany after the performance and quickly signed Alfie to a recording contract that has seen two extremely successful CDs released and a third about to go on sale in November.
At last, he was able to say goodbye to opera and follow the dictates of his heart. No longer did he have to endure the psychological abuse of an elitist society that cared so little about him that he was once temporarily blinded and yet asked how soon he could be back on stage with no concern for his physical well-being at all. It was this same society that didn't believe he should even audition for Les Mis for it was deemed musical theater and beneath the role of opera star. That he would even consider it was shocking to that world.
Alfie Boe believes there is just two types of music, good and bad, and he wants to sing the good music. He does just that, in concerts that both rock out and slow down. Classical music is still dear to his heart and is included in his concerts that are now referred to as interactive events. To experience an Alfie concert means singing with him and to him; it means being prepared for him to hear and respond to just about anything within his range, and he has a big range; it means getting up on your feet and dancing the night away; and it means having the time of your life as his love of music emanates from his soul to his audience.
The youngest of nine children, Alfie's story includes the sad death of his father, the joyful birth of his children, admissions about college life that show he's just a human being who makes mistakes as we all do, and how he overcame so much adversity to not only be the rising success he is today, but just to have retained his sanity after his struggles with the opera world. At last, Alfie is "pretty much" living his dream, doing everything from performing with rock legends like Robert Plant who he now calls a friend to performing for the Royal Family during the Diamond Jubilee. He simply does it all.
Today, Alfie says "I *was* an opera singer."
Today, Alfie says, "I *am* a singer."
All Alfie Boe ever wanted to do was sing, just sing. Now, he gets to follow his heart.
This book will have you laughing hysterically from time to time, and in other moments, it will leave you in tears. It may even anger you to learn all that he had to go through to be the opera star that he was. More than anything, however, this book will endear this sweet man with a big voice and even bigger heart to anyone who reads his story.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Bizet nearly killed me" is the striking opening sentence of this engaging autobiography written by English tenor, Alfie Boe, as he relates the harrowing tale of opera preparation gone wrong. This is just one of the many, sometimes amusing and sometimes, moving, stories of Alfie's life so far, told as he traces his journey from his humble beginnings in Fleetwood, England, to fame on the world singing stage. Intriguing also, are the stories from behind the scenes of performances gone wrong, relationships established and challenges overcome.
Alfie's story is, like any life, a story of ups and downs, although many will be surprised at just how grim some aspects of his journey have been. From being bossed around by the toffs at the Royal Opera House, to sleeping on a li-lo in a cupboard-sized apartment in New York, life has not always been a bed of roses for England's favourite tenor. Alfie has bravely shared some of the most poignant episodes of his life, from the loss of his father, to falling in love, the birth of his children and to finally establishing himself as a singing sensation admired throughout the world. One of the book's major achievements, however, is that Alfie's voice, even filtered through ghost writer, Alex Godfrey, remains authentically his. Reading this book makes you feel as if you have just had a visit from Alfie Boe. Sit down, have a cuppa, and enjoy it.
Alfie's story is, like any life, a story of ups and downs, although many will be surprised at just how grim some aspects of his journey have been. From being bossed around by the toffs at the Royal Opera House, to sleeping on a li-lo in a cupboard-sized apartment in New York, life has not always been a bed of roses for England's favourite tenor. Alfie has bravely shared some of the most poignant episodes of his life, from the loss of his father, to falling in love, the birth of his children and to finally establishing himself as a singing sensation admired throughout the world. One of the book's major achievements, however, is that Alfie's voice, even filtered through ghost writer, Alex Godfrey, remains authentically his. Reading this book makes you feel as if you have just had a visit from Alfie Boe. Sit down, have a cuppa, and enjoy it.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Alfie Boe is the most amazing singer/performer I have ever seen, and that includes Elvis Presley's debut on the Ed Sullivan Show and my father's old opera records. In his early interviews, he seemed so mild-mannered as to put a choir-boy to shame. Now, he tells the real story of the hard time he had fighting for a place in a world that regarded him as just some kind of blue collar lout, almost unworthy of being on the great stages of opera. Happily for us, Alfie kept on going, even when it seemed nothing was going right.
Now, Alfie has left the world of opera (we hope its not permanent) for the concert stage, performing musical theater, folk songs and rock - all with consummate ease. In the past year, he has transformed himself from an opera star to a singer/storyteller who enchants audiences with his vocal talents and personality. If you know a young person, struggling to make it in his/her chosen field, give him/her this book. It is a real eye-opening inspiration.
Since we all can't sit down in the pub for a beer with Alfie, this is the next best thing. It's an inspiring story, told with humor and humility. Sing on, Alfie, sing on. And if he is appearing in concert near you, buy a ticket for an enchanting evening.
Now, Alfie has left the world of opera (we hope its not permanent) for the concert stage, performing musical theater, folk songs and rock - all with consummate ease. In the past year, he has transformed himself from an opera star to a singer/storyteller who enchants audiences with his vocal talents and personality. If you know a young person, struggling to make it in his/her chosen field, give him/her this book. It is a real eye-opening inspiration.
Since we all can't sit down in the pub for a beer with Alfie, this is the next best thing. It's an inspiring story, told with humor and humility. Sing on, Alfie, sing on. And if he is appearing in concert near you, buy a ticket for an enchanting evening.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
I loved this book. Alfie's life has been very interesting and the way he tells his story is very engaging. I recommend this book to everyone. ... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Clorinda M. Cardillo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Alfie
I love Alfie Boe's voice His story is humorous and touching at times i recommend it to anyone eating to make it in the music business
Published 2 months ago by Terri Coonrad-Hershkowitz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
I first saw Alfie on the 25th anniversary of Les Mis at the O2 and LOVED his voice. So I started doing some research about who he was and found he had a book and some CDs out. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kristen Nolan
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a voice!
I recently bought the new sheet music from the new movie, "Les Miserables." The clerk mentioned she had seen the movie but did not like HHugh Jackman's voice. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tillie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boe's story is a fun read
Boe's story is a witty, lively and fun read. Anyone who has heard his beautiful voice should enjoy this book.
Published 4 months ago by Christine Aurilia
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book!!
I was so excited to get my book in the mail. Came undamaged and beautifully new :)!!! Love it. Enjoyed reading the first couple of chapters already and excited to finish it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Alfie Boe Is Awesome
Great read. I am a true fan and it was fun to read about Alfie's background and his journey into the world of music. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Julie Scales
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the usual bio
You know how autobiographies are usually self-serving and self-congratulatory? You won't find a lot of that here. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lorelei
5.0 out of 5 stars
What A Man, What a Life!
I had never heard of Alfie Boe before the O2 production of Les Mis. The strength and emotion of his portrayal of ValJean was amazing, but the voice was a gift to behold. Read more
Published 6 months ago by AzGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story worth reading
I first learned of this man after I heard a song "In My Daughter's Eyes" ... then I found more of his music and began to learn more about his life and how he began his singing... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Jean C. Esposito
