Biography - Neil Allen

Neil came to singing later than most, and via an unusual route compared to most trained professional singers today. From age 16 to 30, he worked as a bricklayer. At 27, he and a friend started a singing comedy duo as a hobby. After vocal problems, he sought a singing teacher. The teacher discovered a tenor voice of such fine quality that Neil was encouraged to train full time. Without any musical background or education, this presented a huge undertaking. Neil decided to train privately with Michelle Wegwart and Magdala, and now 10 years on enjoys a successful career.

In addition to training with Michelle Wegwart, Neil also trained with Lyndon Vanderpump of the Royal College of Music, London. He launched his professional career 10 years ago with the leading role in Cavalleria Rusticana/ Turridu and has since performed these roles with leading Opera companies:

Neil’s concert platform work is extensive and has taken him to sixteen countries in Europe and a 72 cities in 26 States of the USA to date.

He has sung with the RPO, City of London Sinfonia and the orchestra of Opera North as a principle soloist. He also sang in an Opera Gala in the Nottingham Theatre Royal with Sir Willard White and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Oratorios have included The Messiah, Judas Maccabeus, Elijah, Rossini's Petite Messe, Verdi's Requiem, Mozart's C minor mass and Requiem.

'Neil Allen's sweet tenor voice was perfect for Don Jose's music in the earlier acts…with the heft for the third and fourth act finales…(his) murder scene left the Hackney Empire breathless.'

Rodney Milnes, The Times