It's all in the Mind of... Simon O'Neill

Described as "The Wagnarian tenor of his generation" and "turbo-charged", Simon O'Neill has rapidly established himself as a tenor in great demand on the international stage. A native of New Zealand, he is a principle artist with the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House and the Salzburg Festival. Tonight Simon plays the role of Florestan in Beethoven's only opera Fidelio, conducted by Daniel Barenboim with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.

Simon O'Neill: Prom 50 Beethoven - Fidelio 7:30pm

Q. What are you currently reading?
A. ‘A History of New Zealand’ – by Michael King and ‘Toddler Taming’ by Dr Christopher Green.

Q. Who inspires you musically?
A. Placido Domingo and Fritz Wunderlich

Q. What's your favourite city, and why?
A. New York – I lived in this wonderful city for 10 years whilst I was studying at Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music. It is a second home to me.

Q. What young artist are you keeping an eye on?
A. Many young artists are on my radar. I try to give the odd piece of advice to singers in this vital time of their budding careers. It is great to have the opportunity to pass on the knowledge I have been fortunate to receive from the incredible masters that I have been fortunate to be around.

Q. Who would you like to get stuck in an elevator with?
A. Bill Clinton.

Q. Where is the strangest place you've ever performed?
A. At the request of the crew, the first class cabin of an Air France flight from Beijing to Paris.

Q. What piece of music can you not live without?
A. 1. Parsifal 2. Otello 3. Götterdämmerung 4. La Boheme

Q. What food can you not live without?
A. New Zealand roast lamb

Q. Where is your favourite spot in London?
A. My local Exmouth Market in Clerkenwell – wonderful eating and drinking.

Q. If you were invisible for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?
A. Sit and observe in the Oval office in Washington DC.

Read about Simon O'Neill on his website >>
Find out more about Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra >>

Watch tonight's performance at 8:10pm on BBC Two, or listen again at bbc.co.uk/proms