Tom Higgins - Conductor

Tom Higgins studied conducting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, winning a silver medal with honours in his first year. He continued his studies with James Lockhart, formerly Music Director of the Kassel Opera House in Germany.

He regularly conducts leading British orchestras, including the Hanover Band, the Brandenburg Sinfonia and the Guildford Philharmonic. During a four-year association with Londond’s Opera Holland Park he directed the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also conducted many of the prominent choral societies in the London area, including the Croydon Philharmonic, the Epsom College Chapel Choir, and the Hertfordshire Chorus.

He made his German debut in 2003 when he conducted the New Year’s Day Concert with Dresden’s Staatsoperetten Orchestra. Recent debuts in the United Kingdom include, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, the Covent Garden Festival, the Brighton Festival and Cadogan Hall, where he conducted the New Queen’s Hall Symphonic Wind Band.

In May 1999 he released through the BBC Music Magazine the world premiere recording of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s last completed work for the stage - The Rose of Persia, coupling it with a number of Sullivan’s rarely-heard symphonic overtures. Chosen by The Observer as ‘Classical CD of the Week’, it features the Hanover Band and Southwark Voices. The CD has recently been re-issued by CPO – (‘It is very good with excellent playing under Tom Higgins caught in good clean sound’ – Opera Magazine).

In April 2000 he was awarded a Diploma of Honour by the International Robert Stolz Society of Vienna. A former member of English National Opera Orchestra, he worked with a number of distinguished conductors, including Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Simon Rattle.

Engagements in 2002 included a gala performance of Aida as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and Elgar’s, The Dream of Gerontius with the Kingston Orpheus Choir. During the 2002/2003/2004 seasons he conducted, L’amico Fritz, Beatrice di Tenda and Adolphe Adam’s, Si j’étais roi. for Opera Omnibus. Also in 2004 he directed a concert of Viennese music in Berlin for the Tertianum organisation. By popular demand this concert was repeated in Berlin the following year. In May 2007, by special invitation of the district of Charlottenburg, he conducted a further series of concerts in Berlin.

Now Resident Music Director of Opera South, he conducted Gounod’s, Faust for the company in 2005 Nicolai’s, The Merry Wives of Windsor in 2006 and Donizetti’s, L’Elisir d’amore in 2007. Future plans include a revival of Balfe’s, The Bohemian Girl in 2008.

In addition to his concert work, Tom Higgins has also recently worked with the international violinist, Midori, in the creation of a number of solos intended for her own use. She premiered one of these works with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in February 2006.

Visit Tom Higgins on: www.michaelletchfordartists.co.uk on Artists

Tom Higgins is represented by Michael Letchford ~ Goar Lodge, Smith’s Green, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts.

CM22 6NS. Telephone: 01279 871114 ~ Mobile: 07815 871766 email: mlartists@gogglemail.com

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