A Birthday Tribute to Simon Keenlyside

Simon Keenlyside as Macbeth

One of the most popular singers in the world, as well as on this site, is the seemingly ageless Simon Keenlyside. The British barihunk turns 53 today, so we thought we'd celebrate his artistry. 

Simon Keenlyside is one of the world's most sought after and charismatic singers, noted for his versatility and highly charged performances on stage. He has been acclaimed for Billy Budd and Prospero in the world premiere of Thomas Ades' 'The Tempest' at the Royal Opera House; Count Almaviva in Milan and Vienna under Muti; Don Giovanni in Ferrara under Abbado, Pelleas in San Francisco, Geneva, Paris, and most recently in  Salzburg, Berlin and London under Rattle, his first Wozzeck at the Paris Opera, and Posa (Don Carlos) at the Royal Opera House under Pappano and at the Metropolitan Opera under Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

 

He has recorded 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn' under Rattle, the title role in 'Don Giovanni' under Abbado, 'Carmina Burana' under Thielemann, Marcello in 'La Bohème' under Chailly, the title role in 'Billy Budd' under Hickox, Count Almaviva under Jacobs and Papageno under Mackerras.  Since appearing in recital at La Scala in 1998 he has gone on to give recitals all over the world. 

Simon Keenlyside sings Schuman's "Dichterliebe":

Simon will return to the Royal Opera House (Germont Père and Count Almaviva) and the Vienna State Opera (Posa, Rigoletto and Wozzeck). For Sony BMG Simon has released an orchestral arias disc, which won the Gramophone 2007 best recital award, an operetta disc with Angelika Kirchschlager, and a recital disc of Brahms Lieder and Schumann's Dichterliebe, and most recently his “Songs of War” recital disc, both with Malcolm Martineau. His other releases include a recital disc of Schubert, Wolf, Fauré and Ravel also with Malcolm Martineau for Wigmore Live.

Keenlyside can next be seen next month at the Vienna State Opera in Verdi's Don Carlo as Rodrigo. Also in the cast is Rene Pape as Philipp II, Roberto Alagna as Don Carlo and Krassimira Stoyanova as Elisabeth. In October, he returns to the Metropolitan Opera in Thomas Ades' "The Tempest."