Born in London, Rhys Bowden studied for a degree in music at Girton College, Cambridge. Subsequently, he joined the Royal Academy of Music on the postgraduate course in vocal studies from which he graduated in 2009 with distinction and where he was awarded the Hilda Anderson Deane prize. As well as being a full lyric tenor Rhys is also an effective character singer, noted for his compelling acting. He was recently awarded a Gil Rodriquez scholarship for his portrayal of the Mayor in Albert Herring for Opera de Bauge.
Rhys's forthcoming performances include the role of Tamino in Carshalton Opera's production of The Magic Flute, and the tenor solos in Lloyd Webber's Requiem with the Eagle Choir in Bedford. Recent appearances include lieder recitals at St. Martin-within-Ludgate, St. Olave's, Hart Street and at St. Botolph Without Aldgate, the role of Cassio (Otello) for Kent Opera, and tenor soloist in Mozart's Requiem at Dempsey Abbey. Other recent operatic performances include the Mayor (Albert Herring) with Opera de Bauge, and supporting roles in The Hidden Valley for Opera Sonic. Rhys created the role of Mehrdad in performances of Amir Tafreshipour's The Doll Behind the Curtain at the Tete-a-Tete Festival. It was the first Iranian opera to be performed in the UK, and it was covered by BBC Persia. Rhys's roles include the Messenger (Aida) with South Downs Opera, Giuseppe (La Traviata) for Opera Lyrica, Aeneas/Sailor/ Sorcerer (Dido & Aeneas) for The Chigwell Choir, Cortigiano (The Hospital of Incurable Madness) for Solomon's Knot Collective at Aldeburgh Music, Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus) for Surrey Opera, Spoletta (Tosca) for South Downs Opera and 1st Armed Man/2nd Priest (The Magic Flute) at Nevill Holt Opera. Other notable roles to date include Vasek (The Bartered Bride), Albert Herring (cover, Albert Herring) and Luiz (The Gondoliers) with Surrey Opera, and Errand Boy (A Dinner Engagement) for The Minotaur Music Theatre. Rhys has considerable experience of contemporary opera, and recently performed the lead roles in Alexander Campkin's Predictability at The Cockpit Theatre, London and Three to Midnight at the Tete-a-Tete Festival. He has sung with Wexford Festival Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, Longborough Opera, British Youth Opera and Stanley Hall Opera.
Rhys performs regularly as a soloist in recitals and oratorios. His oratorio repertoire includes Handel's Messiah and Samson, Mozart's Requiem, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Orff's Carmina Burana, Monteverdi's Vespers, Stainer's The Crucifixion, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Dona Nobis Pacem, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's The Creation and Nelson Mass.
In addition to his singing career Rhys teaches singing, piano, saxophone, music theory and academic music. For further information and a full CV please email rhysbowden@hotmail.com and visit his Music Teachers profile.
Rhys's forthcoming performances include the role of Tamino in Carshalton Opera's production of The Magic Flute, and the tenor solos in Lloyd Webber's Requiem with the Eagle Choir in Bedford. Recent appearances include lieder recitals at St. Martin-within-Ludgate, St. Olave's, Hart Street and at St. Botolph Without Aldgate, the role of Cassio (Otello) for Kent Opera, and tenor soloist in Mozart's Requiem at Dempsey Abbey. Other recent operatic performances include the Mayor (Albert Herring) with Opera de Bauge, and supporting roles in The Hidden Valley for Opera Sonic. Rhys created the role of Mehrdad in performances of Amir Tafreshipour's The Doll Behind the Curtain at the Tete-a-Tete Festival. It was the first Iranian opera to be performed in the UK, and it was covered by BBC Persia. Rhys's roles include the Messenger (Aida) with South Downs Opera, Giuseppe (La Traviata) for Opera Lyrica, Aeneas/Sailor/ Sorcerer (Dido & Aeneas) for The Chigwell Choir, Cortigiano (The Hospital of Incurable Madness) for Solomon's Knot Collective at Aldeburgh Music, Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus) for Surrey Opera, Spoletta (Tosca) for South Downs Opera and 1st Armed Man/2nd Priest (The Magic Flute) at Nevill Holt Opera. Other notable roles to date include Vasek (The Bartered Bride), Albert Herring (cover, Albert Herring) and Luiz (The Gondoliers) with Surrey Opera, and Errand Boy (A Dinner Engagement) for The Minotaur Music Theatre. Rhys has considerable experience of contemporary opera, and recently performed the lead roles in Alexander Campkin's Predictability at The Cockpit Theatre, London and Three to Midnight at the Tete-a-Tete Festival. He has sung with Wexford Festival Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera Holland Park, Longborough Opera, British Youth Opera and Stanley Hall Opera.
Rhys performs regularly as a soloist in recitals and oratorios. His oratorio repertoire includes Handel's Messiah and Samson, Mozart's Requiem, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Orff's Carmina Burana, Monteverdi's Vespers, Stainer's The Crucifixion, Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music and Dona Nobis Pacem, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Haydn's The Creation and Nelson Mass.
In addition to his singing career Rhys teaches singing, piano, saxophone, music theory and academic music. For further information and a full CV please email rhysbowden@hotmail.com and visit his Music Teachers profile.