Niall Morris

Niall Morris is one of Ireland's best-known classical singers. He was born in Dublin and, after a year studying music at Trinity College, won the highest entrance scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. He then completed his studies at the National Opera Studio with a scholarship from the Vaughan Williams Trust. Niall's debut role in the professional world of opera was Nemorino (l'Elisir d'Amore) with English Touring Opera which brought him to Sadlers Wells in London and through out the UK. He then created the role of Davey in Jonathan Dove's Siren Song to great acclaim at the Almeida Theatre in London. After a year-long tour with the d'Oyly Carte Opera Company as Ralph Rackstraw (HMS Pinafore) he was chosen by the immensely gifted composer Thomas Ades to create the tenor roles in his debut opera Powder her Face again at the Almeida. The Duchess was played to perfection by the soprano Jill Gomez and the opera was later released on EMI Classics. This recording was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Opera Recording, 2000. Niall revisted the role at the Bremen International Festival of Music in 2006, accompanied by the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie. Niall has performed roles, such as Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Lysander (Midsummernight's Dream), Fenton (Merry Wives of Windsor), Paris (La Belle Helene), and Antonio (The Duenna) conducted by Rostropovitch. His career in opera and concert has brought him to France, UK, Germany, Italy and the USA. As a member of the classical cross-over group, The Celtic Tenors, Niall signed an international record contract with EMI Classics and achieved world-wide success. In Germany, where the group had a classic number 1 record, the Celtics won the Echo Award for Best Classical Cross-over Stars in 2002. And in the United States, they had their own Coast-to-Coast TV Special on Public Television. Niall's recording of "The Last Rose of Summer" was selected for the Classical Album of the Year 2002 on the Classical Brits in the UK. His performance of "Love of My Life", the Freddie Mercury ballad, recorded in Abbey Road and produced by the legendary Mike Moran, has received particular critical acclaim. He has performed with such legendary artists as The Chieftans, Air Supply, Christie Moore, James Galway and Dionne Warwick. Niall was personally invited to sing at the wedding of Michael Flately, for which the Sunday Independent wrote: "Tenor extraordinaire, Niall Morris, stunningly brought together La Boheme and Lord of the Dance." He has sung for the President of Ireland, The Queen of England and is proud to have duetted with former President Bill Clinton.