Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 7, 1955 in Penn, Buckinghamshire, England

Genre

:

Choral

 

Michael Chance is a renowned countertenor and conductor in the world of classical music. Born on March 7, 1955, in Penn, Buckinghamshire, England, Chance grew up in a musical family. His father was a church organist, and his mother was a singer. Chance's love for music began at an early age, and he started singing in the church choir when he was just six years old. Chance attended the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied singing with Edward Brooks and Michael Langdon. He graduated with a degree in music in 1976 and went on to study at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland, where he learned the art of baroque singing. Chance's career as a countertenor began in the early 1980s when he joined the choir of the English National Opera. He quickly gained recognition for his unique voice and was soon performing in major opera houses around the world. In 1984, he made his debut at the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in the role of Oberon in Benjamin Britten's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Throughout his career, Chance has performed in many of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Paris Opera. He has also collaborated with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras, including Sir Simon Rattle, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, and the Academy of Ancient Music. In addition to his work as a countertenor, Chance is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. One of Chance's most significant achievements was his role in the revival of baroque music in the 1980s. He was one of the pioneers of the baroque revival movement, which sought to perform baroque music in a historically informed way. Chance's unique voice and his commitment to authenticity made him a leading figure in this movement. Chance has also been recognized for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1995, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his services to music. He has also received numerous other awards and honors, including the Handel Prize from the City of Halle in Germany and the Royal Philharmonic Society's Singer Award. Throughout his career, Chance has recorded many albums, including works by Handel, Purcell, and Bach. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have won many awards, including the Gramophone Award and the Diapason d'Or. In recent years, Chance has continued to perform and conduct, and he has also become a mentor to young musicians. He has taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London and has given masterclasses around the world. In conclusion, Michael Chance is a highly respected countertenor and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His unique voice and his commitment to authenticity have made him a leading figure in the baroque revival movement, and his performances and recordings have received critical acclaim. Chance's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and influence future generations of musicians.

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