SIMON BAILEY - BIOGRAPHY

Simon Bailey, Opera Singer

Born in Lincoln, England, the bass-baritone Simon Bailey read music at Clare College, Cambridge University, where he was a choral scholar. In 1997 he commenced postgraduate study at the Royal Northern College of Music, where he was taught by Neil Howlett.

July 1999 saw his London debut, in the role of Figaro for Opera Holland Park alongside future wife Anna Ryberg as Susanna. A series of outstanding performances saw them both awarded the OHP/ American Express awards for that season´s festival.

At the 1999 Rossini Opera Festival Academy in Pesaro, Italy, he was heard by a ´talent scout´ from the La Scala opera studio, the prestigious Accademia del Teatro alla Scala. This led to an audition in Milan and a two-year contract in the studio, beginning in January 2000.

Just over two years after beginning serious vocal study, Simon was on his way - working alongside some of the world´s greatest artists, at perhaps the world´s most famous opera house, La Scala.

The programme at the Accademia offered both regular coaching with distinguished singers such as Leyla Gencer, Luigi Alva and Leo Nucci as well as the opportunity to appear on the famous Scala stage in smaller roles and in the annual Accademia production. In this intense period Simon sang Schaunard in the Zeffirelli production of La Bohéme, in the Verdi centenary year the role of Barone di Kelbar in Un giorno di Regno, created the role of Viceprocuratore in the world premiere of Corghi´s Tat´jana, sang the Lakai in Ariadne auf Naxos under the direction of the late Giuseppe Sinopoli, as well as covering a variety of roles in other operas and participating in a series of recitals and concerts organised by the Accademia.

In 2002 Simon sang in the new Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Milan, the roles of Nikitic (Boris Godunoy), conducted by Gergiev, and the 5th Jew in Salome, as well as covering the role of Jochanaan.

July 2002 brought a new challenge both professionally and culturally with a move to Frankfurt am Main, Germany, as house bass-baritone at the Oper Frankfurt. Initial success as Papageno (Die Zauberflöte) and Dulcamara (L´elisir d´amore) has led to performances in other repertoire, such as Schakloviti (Khovanschchina) and Klingsor (Parsifal) in the 2005-06 season. Other roles performed in Frankfurt include the title role in Don Giovanni, Leporello, Alidoro Cenerentola, Don Alfonso Cosi fan Tutte, Lescaut and Bretigny Manon, Lord Sidney Il viaggio a Reims, Swallow Peter Grimes, the Ferryman in Britten´s Curlew River, Don Basilio Il barbiere di Siviglia, Acrobat/Animal tamer in Lulu, Publio La clemenza di Tito and Claudio Agrippina.

Simon has performed as a guest artist as Don Bartolo Il barbiere di Siviglia at La Scala, as Enrico for Prolirica´s production of Lucia di Lammermoor in Lima, Peru, as Don Basilio in Beijing, in the title role in Händel´s Hercules for the Athens festival, and in Vienna as Publio in La clemenza di Tito.

Simon has also enjoyed success on the concert platform - as an oratorio soloist he was awarded first prize in the 2004 International Concorso Vocale Internazionale di Musica Sacra in Rome. His repertoire includes Händel´s Messiah, Haydn´s Creation, the Mozart, Faure and Duruflé Requiems, Rossini´s Petite Messe Solonelle, Beethoven´s Missa Solemnis and many others, works he has performed throughout Europe and South America.

As well as frequent broadcasts on German radio, Simon has recorded for Opera Rara, Chandos and Naxos - most recently on the critically-acclaimed release of Stainer´s Crucifixion.

Whilst at the RNCM Simon was awarded sponsorship by J.W Lees Breweries, the Wall trust and the Peter Moores foundation, to whom he is grateful for their ongoing support.