Biography – Philip SHEFFIELD – Tenor

Philip Sheffield studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music before making his professional debut as a soloist in L’incoronazione di Poppea in the Brussel’s Théâtre de la Monnaie.

In 2007 he sang Tom Rakewell in Robert Lapage's new production of The Rakes Progress at La Monnaie, made his La Scala debut in Robert Carsen’s controversial production of Candide, took the leading tenor role in Jonathan Dove’s new opera Kwasi and Kwame for OT Rotterdam, sang Eisenstein (Fledermaus) at The Concertgebouw/Amsterdam and Flagey/Brussels and performed Haydn's Die Schöpfung in Firenze, Siena and Perugia with the Orchestra della Toscana. Another highlight of season 07/08 was his appearance at the Opera of Lisbon with the part of the Prince in the world creation of Emmanuel Nunes’ opera “Das Märchen”.

During recent seasons he sang Alonso in Tomas Ades The Tempest in a co-production between The Royal Opera House Covent Garden and The Opera du Rhin, a production that went concertant at The Concertgebouw Amsterdam. Furthermore in the contemporary field he created Edward IV in Battistelli’s Richard III (at Vlaamse Opera and at Opera du Rhin, Strasbourg). He interpreted more music by Battistelli as Konzertmeister in Giorgio Battistelli’s Prova d’orchestra for the Vlaamse Opera. He was also cast for the leading role of Crom in Music Theatre Wales new award winning opera The House of the Gods. Other recent highlights included his Japanese debut in the title role of Haydn’s Orlando in Tokyo, revivals of Carsen’s Candide at ENO and in Japan, his debut as Don Jose in concert, Dr. Cajus (Falstaff) and Reverend Horace at the Flanders Opera (2009 & 2010). Amongst his most recent parts : Broucek (Janacek, “The excursions of Mr Broucek” - 2010).

Philip has sung over 70 roles at venues including The Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Nederlandse Opera, Vlaamse Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Staatsteater Saarbrücken, Opera du Rhin (Strasbourg), Opera Comique (Paris), Opera de Nantes, München Biennale and the Savonlinna Festival in Finland. He has created roles with prominent composers such as Jonathan Dove, Alexander Goehr, Hans Jurgen Von Bose, Ben Mason, Michael Berkeley, Elena Firsova and Nicola Lefanu.

Other career highlights include singing the role of Pelleas at the Opera Comique in Paris (Georges Prêtre), Don Ottavio (under Leopold Hager), the lead role of Terry Bond in Playing Away for Opera North and The Munich Biennale, several performances of Britten’s War Requiem including one to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War 2 at the Berlin Philharmonie, Serenade for tenor horn and strings in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Britten’s Nocturne in the Berlin Philharmonie.

He has performed many world creations with leading orchestras in the contemporary field including the London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Modern, Ensemble Intercontemporain, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

CV update : Season 2010/2011

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