Negus took a risk on young singers who would never otherwise have had the chance to perform Wagner. Rachel Nicholls, who made the rapid transition from being a baroque soprano to performing Brünnhilde, says her success is down to the supportive team atmosphere and the teaching of Negus, – “the most selfless and unegotistical conductor I know. He puts his heart and soul into a project and everyone wants to do their best because we love him.”