Biography

David Manford began his studies at Birmingham Conservatoire in September 2002 where he made progress with Gwion Thomas. After completing his studies in June 2006, he continues to perform regularly at mixed engagements. Since his studies, he has continued his development with Anthony Hocking up to 2008 and very occasionally with Ryland Davies. In addition to his performing, David also teaches on a regular basis in Shropshire where he currently lives.

David has sung the solo tenor roles in many sacred and oratorio works, which include works by Handel, Haydn, Bach, Mendelssohn, Rossini, Charpentier, Purcell, Mozart, Schubert, Pergolesi, Dvořák, Beethoven and Orff. Highlights include performances of Bach’s St John Passion with the St Cecilia Singers at Gloucester Cathedral and Mozart’s Requiem with Walsall Choral Society.

Operatic performances include works by Mozart, Donizetti, R. Strauss, Britten, Puccini, Bizet, Verdi, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Menotti. Conservatoire opera roles performed at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, include the Schoolmaster in Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen, the Sailor in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Linfea in Cavalli’s La Calisto, Cecil in Robin Grant’s Dee (première) and Mopsa and Chinese man in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. In 2006 he performed the roles of Lord Petersham, Young Whitehead, Dr Wilkinson and Beau Brummel in Malcolm Williamson’s English Eccentrics. In Birmingham, 2007, he performed as the Mayor in an Operamus production of Albert Herring. In the summers of 2006 and 2007 he has enjoyed performing in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he has been awarded scholarships to perform the roles of Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Tamino in Mozart’s Zauberflöte as part of the Halifax Summer Opera Workshops. This summer, 2011, he will be performing in the ensemble and as cover for Monostatos in a Co-Opera Co production of Mozart’s Magic Flute.

David has participated in master classes and workshops, in the Conservatoire and beyond, with Catherine Bott, Michael Chance, Robert Tear, Gordon Stewart, Lyudmilla Andrew, Iain Leddingham, Susan Stacy, Paul Arden–Griffith and recently in Canada with Nina Scott–Stoddart, Ross Thompson and Phyllis Knox. He also attends a variety of workshops with Co-Opera Co as part of their Connections programme.