What makes a Grandmaster? Photo: Ilja C. Hendel/laif
When Matthew Rose was 17, a teacher suggested that he become an opera singer. Since he was floundering at swimming and golfing – his first two adolescent passions – he submitted to five years of vocal training. Rose now performs leading roles at some of the world’s major opera houses.
He knows why he succeeded. “Language skills, musical skills,” he reckons, recalling all the hours of hard work and dismissing the role of genetics. Rose is a case study in Rowan Hooper’s Superhuman. Hooper, who is managing editor at New Scientist,…
