Opera stardom awaits Northolt electrician

He said: "I began to appreciate the energy and passion needed for opera when I was in my twenties but it wasn't until I was in my thirties that I began to take lessons. I was a late starter, but the feeling I got from singing was indescribable."

Since then, Mr D'Ettorre has gone from strength to strength and has won many silver medals, including second prize in the Hounslow Festival in 2011.

Despite such achievement, the 54-year-old has ambitions to win first prize and wants to phase out his job as an electrician so that he can go for gold.

A firm believer in practice making perfect, Mr D'Ettorre maintains he needs to work harder, saying: "I'm aware of the limitations if I don't give up work as an electrician."

In the meantime, Mr D'Ettorre sings whenever he can, in cabaret performances and by offering professional voice training. He practices in the garden shed of the home he shares with his wife and is exhilarated when is given the opportunity to perform.

He was initially unnerved by the stage, saying: "I was very, very nervous. My legs wouldn't stop shaking."

But now Mr D'Ettorre thinks the bigger the audience, the better. He added: "I like the big audiences - it means there is no option to fail."

One of his fondest recollections is performing to thousands of youngsters at Brunel University 10 years ago. Their cheers and appreciation for the music assured him of a younger generation valuing opera. He believes this partly stems from Pavarotti's spine-tingling rendition of Nessun Dorma at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Mr D'Ettorre is proof of his philosophy that 'everybody has the ability to sing - they just need training and tuning'.

Visit www.antoniotenore.com to find out more.