In part 2 of the conversation with opera star, Barry Banks, he talks openly about the issues that all performers and artists deal with: confidence, nerves, the dedication it takes to be a musician, and how important it is for him to have a life outside of singing. He talks about the balance that he has struggled to achieve in his life and how he's learned how to not be too effected when things do not go as perfectly as he would like in a performance.

Barry and Marie compare notes and discuss music from the different perspectives of a singer and an instrumentalist. They talk about the barriers between singers and instrumentalists and how Barry has learned to approach colleagues, instrumentalists and conductors alike.

To hear some videos of Barry Banks' singing in various opera productions, visit The Fidelio Podcast's facebook page.

International opera star, tenor, Barry Banks, talks with Marie in Salzburg, Austria, during their production of Rossini's Otello at the Pfingstfestspiele in June. Barry chats about his early life as a trumpet player, and how his experience as an instrumentalist and love for the trumpet and brass bands have influenced him as a singer.

Barry discusses his favorite operatic roles, how he creates them on stage, and what it's like to play the villain. He reminisces about his past productions in Salzburg, and the few isolated moments that have built his career and how they have defined him as a singer.

Barry Banks lives in New York and sings regularly in leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, and the English National Opera amongst many other opera houses. He has recorded prolifically for Chandos Records. As well as being a recognized bel canto specialist, Barry Banks regularly sings a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach, Handel, and Mozart to Stravinsky, Britten, and Berg.