About

Richard Robbins is an English lyric tenor celebrated for his luminous sound, musical intelligence, and expressive presence on opera, oratorio, and recital stages.

Richard Robbins is an acclaimed tenor and conductor celebrated for his captivating and dynamic interpretations of Bach. Recently, he received high praise for his portrayal of the Madwoman in Britten’s Curlew River, with Classical Source lauding his voice for its "irresistible baritonal softness" and his acting as "expertly judged." 

Upcoming engagements include conducting and simultaneously Evangelising for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Baroque Group Noxwode and Shrewsbury School Community Choir, a performance of Finzi’s Dies Natalis and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. 

During his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, Richard was mentored by the late Philip Doghan and renowned song interpreter Joseph Middleton, Artistic Director of Leeds Lieder. This mentorship culminated in his receipt of the prestigious Rhonda Jones Scholarship upon graduation. Earlier, he graduated with First-Class Honours from Royal Holloway, where he was a Choral Scholar with The Choir of Royal Holloway, performing extensively on international tours, recordings, and live BBC Radio broadcasts. He now continues his vocal studies under the guidance of international tenor Ed Lyon. 

Richard has collaborated with many of the UK’s leading ensembles. His notable solo engagements include performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor with The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Beethoven’s Mass in C with the London Mozart Players. His recent appearances span a diverse repertoire of oratorio, opera, and concert work, with performances in prestigious venues such as St. Martin-in-the-Fields, King’s Place, Hackney Empire, and The National Portrait Gallery. 

Richard, a passionate and versatile musician, also excels as a conductor and singing teacher. He has been mentored by esteemed conductors David Hill, Stuart Overington, Lev Parikian, Neil Ferris, and Rupert Gough and regularly conducts as a deputy at Junior Trinity Laban. 

Richard frequently collaborates with award-winning pianists Victor Lim, Alexander Soares, and Charlotte Brennand for recitals across the country. He also works closely with the Baroque ensemble Ensemble Hesperi and harpsichordist Nathaniel Mander. Recent highlights include performing Rogers and Hammerstein favourites with the Southbank Sinfonia at Cadogan Hall, Schumann’s Dichterliebe at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Britten’s Winter Words at the Wiltshire Music Centre, and participating in the reopening of Handel House. 

Recognised as a Young Artist by prominent organizations including the City Music Foundation, Handel House, Leeds Lieder, Oxford Lieder, and Brighton Early Music, Richard has also participated in a Fellowship at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. He was awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Enterprise Fund for his innovative outreach work during the pandemic, which involved workshops and masterclasses with distinguished artists such as Sir Thomas Allen, Dame Felicity Lott, Mark Padmore CBE, John Mark-Ainsley OBE, Roger Vignoles, and Ann Murray. 

Since joining Shrewbury School as Head of Choral Music in 2023, he has sought to transform and modernise the choral offering of the school, programming more works by living composers, alongside more traditional choices, performing works such as Rebecca Dale’s ethereal Materna Requiem and Christopher Tin’s paeon to flight, To Shiver the Sky. Under his leadership, the school’s Chamber and Chapel Choirs have continued their tradition of excellence with regular tours, and recently were finalists in Barnado’s National Choir Competition in Birmingham Symphony Hall. 

He also conducts the school’s Community Choir, who raise money for local charities. Their 2025/26 season includes Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Rutter’s Magnificat, Mozart’s Requiem, the last of which will be performed in collaboration with Shrewsbury Choral Society. 

Future concerts with Shrewsbury School include a collaboration with Birmingham Conservatoire and Baroque Group Noxwode for a performance of Bach’s Magnificat in D and a tour of New York and Boston in 2025. They also maintain an esteemed annual performance schedule at iconic venues such as Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral, showcasing the school's exceptional choral talent. 

In addition to his solo career, Richard is a highly sought-after session and consort singer, contributing to soundtracks and recordings. He performs with major London choirs including the Temple Church Choir, St Bride’s, St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir, Philharmonia Voices, Hanover Band, and now Manchester based Chamber Choir, Kantos. 

Recent Reviews

Read Reviews of Richard's work.

Curlew River 1

Ante Terminum Productions, a new London-based opera company, launched in style with Britten’s Curlew River, which had its premiere in St Bartholomew’s, Orford, in 1964, and, over half a century later, has alighted for a short run (until January 13) at the mysterious and magnificent church of St Bartholomew the Great, in Smithfield.

Curlew River 2

Read The Spectator's Richard Bratby's assessment of our 'powerful' production Curlew River.

CURLEW RiVER 3

This was my first encounter with this Britten church parable. And I totally loved it. Half of it is because the music is genius (so atmospheric!) and the other half because it was presented by Ante Terminum Productions in a perfect way.