Ian Partridge (Tenor)

Born: June 12, 1938 - Wimbeldon, England

The English tenor, Ian (Harold) Partridge, was a chorister at New College, Oxford, and a music scholar at Chifton College before pursuing his training in London at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. From 1958 to 1962 he commenced his career as a piano accompanist while singing in the Westminster Cathedral choir.

In 1958 Ian Patridge he made his operatic debut as a singer in Bexhill, and from 1962 he pursued a solo career. He is one of Britain's leading lyric tenors. His wide repertoire encompasses the music of Monteverdi, J.S. Bach and George Frideric Handel, Elizabethan lute songs, German, French and English songs with piano, and contemporary works including first performances. He appears regularly as soloist with major choirs and orchestras in Britain and throughout the rest of the world.

In recitals Ian Patridge is frequently accompanied by his sister Jennifer - a partnership that has received great critical acclaim. They are regular broadcasters for the BBC, and have given recitals all over the British Isles and Europe, and as far afield as South America, Turkey, Iceland and Australia.

The Thames TV production of Britten's St Nicholas with Ian Partridge in the title role, won the Prix Italia. He made his operatic debut at Covent Garden singing the role of Iopas in Berlioz' Les Troyens conducted by Sir Colin Davis, subsequently recorded by Philips.

Ian Partridge recently performed Façade at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with Lady Walton, the composer's widow, for Dutch television. He continues to collaborate with the actress Prunella Scales with whom he has shared over 200 performances of the most successful production 'An Evening with Queen Victoria' all over the world. He has also enjoyed taking masterclasses on Lieder, English song and early music at venues as diverse as Aldeburgh, Vancouver, Trondheim, Versailles and Helsinki.

Ian Partridge was awarded the CBE in the 1992 New Year's Honours, for distinguished service to music. Ian Partidge's interests include bridge and racing.

Source: Mostly from Hyperion Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2001)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Ernest Ansermet

Tenor

BWV 45, BWV 105

Harry Christophers

Tenor

BWV 34, BWV 147, BWV 243, BWV 245

Paul Steinitz

Tenor

BWV 243
G.F. Handel: Brockes Passion, HWV 48 [Radio Broadcast - Evangelist]

David Willcocks

Tenor

BWV 147

Links to other Sites

Ian Patridge - Tenor (Official Website)

Ian Patridge - Tenor (Hyperion)