Directory
Countertenor
Simon Baker was born in Edinburgh, educated at Edinburgh Academy and Christ's Hospital, and in July 2000 graduated from the Royal College of Music with distinction where he studied with Ashley Stafford. One of the most notable of the younger generation of countertenors, his recent London performances, particularly in the operas and oratorios of Handel, have received critical acclaim and in September 2000 The Times featured him in its 'Great British Hopes' series, exploring rising British talents.
At the Royal College, Simon's studies were made possible through a generous award from the Scottish Education Department and he was awarded the Dulcie Nutting prize for his final recital.
Formerly a layclerk at St Albans Abbey with Dr Barry Rose OBE and of the London Oratory Choir directed by Andrew Carwood and Patrick Russill, Simon continues to study with Ashley Stafford and performs regularly as a soloist both here and abroad. Last year, as part of the 23rd London Handel Festival Simon performed the title role in Tom Hawke's production of Handel's Ottone, conducted by Michael Rosewell and Claudio, alongside James Bowman's Silla, in the first English performance of Handel's Silla, conducted by Denys Darlow - now available as a recording. Last year, for the 24th London Handel Festival Simon performed the title role in Handel's Flavio. Other recent engagements include, Fileno in Lee Blakely's production of Handel's Clori, Tirsi e Fileno as part of the Covent Garden Festival, Arsamenes in British Youth Opera's production of Handel's Xerxes at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Micah in Handel's Samson for Guildford Opera, Nireno in Handel's Giulio Cesare for Opera Ireland, Bach Cantatas at the Tilford Bach Festival and in Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin, Handel's Messiah in Dublin, London and Bristol Cathedral, Bach's Mass in B Minor at St James', Piccadilly, Bach's St Matthew Passion in Wells Cathedral and covering Nerone in Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea for English National Opera. Recitals at St Stephen's, Gloucester Road and in the Spitalfield's Winter Festival have included Britten's Canticle II (Abraham and Isaac) and Canticle IV (Journey of the Magi).
Future engagements include Handel's Saul in Eton College Chapel, for Windsor & Eton Choral Society directed by Ralph Allwood, Handel's Samson with Linden Baroque, Bach's St John Passion in London and Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin, Bach's St Matthew Passion at St James', Picaddilly, covering in Purcell's Fairy Queen for English National Opera and performances in Poland and a première recording of Tolomeo in Scarlatti's Tolomeo e Alessandro.
Contact details and further information
Represented by:Sue Nicholls,
Hazard Chase Artist Management,
Norman House,
Cambridge Place,
Cambridge, U.K. CB2 1NS
Tel: +44 (0)1223 706023 Fax: +44 (0)1223 460827
E-mail sue.nicholls@hazardchase.co.uk
E-mail Simon Baker
For further details, see Simon Baker