For Benjamin Bevan, 2011 started with simultanious broadcasts on Classic FM in the UK and on MDR Figaro in Germany the latter being his debut at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. He went on to sing the role of Pilatus in the critically acclaimed stage production of Bach's Johannes Passion for Reis Opera in Holland. The summer saw him at Wormsley, the new Garsington Opera venue as Sprecher in Die Zauberflote as well as performances with The Deller Consort in Kent and Provence.
Benjamin also made his debut at The Kilkenny Arts Festival in Bach's Coffee Cantata, broadcast on RTE Lyric. Other performances included Handel's Solomon and Bach Weinachts Oratorium.
Previously, Benjamin he has performed Bach at the Perth International Festival and in a concert broadcast on ABC, performed in Ireland with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, broadcast on RTE Lyric and made his debut at Wigmore Hall. In december 2010 he sang Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols at The Albert Hall for Raymond Gubbay.
Benjamin has had a strong association with Scottish Opera and in 2009 sang the role of Riccardo in Bellini's I Puritani and the role of Lescaut Massenet's Manon. Previously he has sung Fouquier and Fleville in Giordano's Andrea Chenier and in 2010 he sang the role of Marcello in La Boheme for Scottish Opera
He is the youngest of a musical family of fourteen brothers and sisters and as a child he sang with the Family choir, performing throughout the UK and Europe. After a spell in the Wine Trade, Ben won a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and after graduation proceeded to the famous Opera Course there. 1999 saw him at Glyndebourne for the summer and then on to English Touring Opera. He made his International debut at lausanne Opera in Rossini's La Cenerentola.
Back in 2007 Benjamin was chosen by international tenor José Cura to work with him in the final of the José Cura Opera Project - the search for the next generation of opera star.
Jose Cura writes:
"In the spring of 2007, at a master class I was giving in London, I encountered the voice of Benjamin Bevan. This young and already well rounded singer surprised me not only with the sheer beauty of his voice but also with his fine use of the Italian language and his very professional phrasing. I would happily bet on the future of this talented English singer!"
Future performances include Purcell's King Arthur at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall and Cite de la Musique in Paris, Bach's St Matthew Passion at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, masterclasses in the Aix en Provence festival and a return to his hometown of Wells in Somerset to sing Mozart in the cathedral.
Ben now lives by the sea in Kent with his wife, the soprano Juliet Schiemann and children Anna (8) and Leo (6)