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The English tenor, Ben Alden, studied Modern Languages at Durham University before embarking on Postgraduate Vocal studies as an ABRSM scholar at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, completeing his Master of Music degree in concert singing, studying under Peter Alexander Wilson. He also worked with Malcolm Martineau, Ann Murray and the late Philip Langridge. Ben continues to promote himself as a soloist under the guidance of tenor Ryland Davies.
Engagements have taken Ben Alden abroad throughout Europe, the Isle of Man and the USA, and he has appeared on stage in the Salle Pleyel, Paris, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Sadler's Wells. With a repertoire spanning over a millennium, he enjoys a varied career on the concert platform. Past performances include Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir; with the Academy of Ancient Music and with the King's College Choir Cambridge on tour in Europe (including at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam and La Chaise-Dieu, St Malo and Lessay festivals in France), Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music at Cadogan Hall, J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion (BWV 244) in Bath Abbey, and W.A. Mozart's C minor Mass and J.S. Bach's Magnificat (BWV 243,) for Midland Festival Chorus in Worcester Cathedral. His performances also include, George Frideric Handel's Messiah, W.A. Mozart's Requiem, J.S. Bach's St John Passion (BWV 245), Mass in B minor (BWV 232), and Christmas Oratorio (BWV 248), Edward Elgar's The Kingdom, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Benjamin Britten's St Nicolas, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Haydn's Nelson Mass and Harmoniemesse, Swayne's Stabat Mater.
As a recitalist Ben Alden has an extensive repertoire of Lieder, French song and English song. His performances include B. Britten's Winter Words, John Ireland's The Land of Lost Content, R. Vaughan Williams's On Wenlock Edge and Four Hymns. His most recent recital engagement was at St John's Beaumont School, Old Windsor, Berkshire in February.
An accomplished ensemble singer, Ben Alden works with many of Britain's leading vocal groups, including the Monteverdi Choir (Director: John Eliot Gardiner), BBC Singers, Tenebrae Choir (Director: Nigel Short), Polyphony (Director: Stephen Layton), The Sixteen (Director: Harry Christophers), Dunedin Consort (Director: John Butt), Exaudi, The Cardinall's Musick and Synergy Vocals. In addition he is a member of male-voice consorts Quintessential Voices and Liedertafel. He appears frequently on recordings and in television and radio broadcasts, including the BBC Proms.
Ben Alden currently combines a freelance singing career with a Lay Clerkship at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and peripatetic music teaching. In his spare time, Ben enjoys being with his young family, good food, cycling and photography. |
