About

Operatic and concert soloist, performing in France, Scotland, England, and Wales. With adventures ranging from appearances on Film & Television, leading a range of ensembles as Musical Director, and inviting others to the singing tradition through workshops, teaching, and entertaining.

Operatic appearances include Schaunard in la Boheme for his debut in France under the musical direction of Stephanie Gurga, Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana (Ryton Choral), Prince Yamadori and The Bonze in Madame Butterfly, Barone, Doctor Grenville, and Marchese in la Traviata, (North Wales Opera Studio and Clyde Opera), Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro and Giuseppe in The Gondoliers (York Opera), and Guglielmo in Cosi fan Tutte, conducted by Davide Levi. Other appearances include Don Alhambra in The Gondoliers at Harrogate International Festival, ‘Black Bob’ and Tom in Britten’s The Little Sweep (Durham Chorister School), and Barabashkin in Shostakovich’s Cheryomushki.

Soloist concert highlights include Handel’s Messiah (Newcastle Choral), Bach’s St John Passion conducted by Jérôme Kuhn, Faure’s Requiem, Bach Magnificat (Bury Bach Choir), Brahm’s Requiem (Yarm Choral), Durufle’s Requiem (Cleveland Philharmonic Choir), Elgar’s Great is the Lord at Durham Cathedral, and Mozart’s Requiem.

Chorus work includes Opera North’s Silent Night by Kevin Puts, Gounod’s Faust and Rossini’s Le Comte Ory with Dorset Opera, and Pirates of Penzance with Rocket Opera.

Ben has debuted roles in several world premiers, including ‘Noakes’ in Thomas Dunhill’s Something in the City – unperformed in 1939 due to the outbreak of war, and Symphony for the Mothers and Sons at Wakefield Cathedral marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. In 2023, he filmed and created the role of Theseus in Ciphers, a new opera by Greg Arrowsmith and Bernadine Corrigan.