John Tomlinson

English bass John Tomlinson was born at Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire on 22 September 1946, and, after studying civil engineering to degree level at Manchester University, studied singing on a scholarship at the Royal Manchester College of Music and with Otakar Kraus.

He's a regular singer at English National Opera and Covent Garden, and has sung many times at the Bayreuth Festival and has appeared with all the major British opera companies and at many major international venues. In 2008 he created the title role in Birtwistle's The Minotaur.

A selection of articles about John Tomlinson

Ensemble. Myths and Modernity - Giuseppe Pennisi sends his first report from the 2019 Salzburg Festival

Ensemble. A Momentous Experience - Thomas Adès' 'The Exterminating Angel' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Crossing the Threshold - Giuseppe Pennisi, reporting from Salzburg, finds the first performance of Thomas Adès' new opera 'The Exterminating Angel' even more engrossing than Luis Bunuel

Ask Alice - An encounter with Birtwistle's Minotaur at Covent Garden, for Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ask Alice - A visit to Covent Garden for 'Die Meistersinger', with Classical Music agony aunt Alice McVeigh

Ensemble. Stunning Portrayals - Debussy and Bartók, reviewed by Bill Newman

Ensemble. Black Comedy - Prokofiev's 'The Gambler' impresses Robert Hugill

Ensemble. A Double Farewell - Henze and Mahler in Rome, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Deeply Felt - Verdi's 'Don Carlo' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Profoundly Satisfying - Robert Hugill at English National Opera's 'Der Rosenkavalier'

Ensemble. A gripping evening - 'Billy Budd' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Moments of magic - 'A Midsummer Marriage' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill

DVD Spotlight. Stunning lighting - Highlighs from Barenboim's 'Ring', concluding a series of reviews by Robert Hugill. 'The balance ... favours Evans more, which is a good thing.'

CD Spotlight. Sheer beauty - Barenboim's 'Siegfried', in the continuing set of reviews by Robert Hugill. '... a highly listenable, dramatic experience.'

CD Spotlight. Truly believable - Barenboim conducts Wagner's 'Das Rheingold' from Bayreuth, reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... a beautiful, well-shaped, flowing performance.'