Wokingham Choral Society

Appearances with Wokingham Choral Society:

Sam Furness joined Wokingham Choral Society at Reading University Great Hall on 14th November 2009 in Handel's Messiah and 'Night at the Opera' concert at All Saints Church, Wokingham on Saturday 18th June 2011.

May 2011

Sam Furness            Tenor

Sam was a Dean's Scholar at Llandaff Cathedral before attending Charterhouse and then St John's College, Cambridge where he was a choral scholar and subsequently a lay clerk. Sam completes his post-graduate vocal studies at the Royal Academy of Music this summer and next year has obtained a fully assisted place on the Royal Academy Opera course. He is taught by his countryman, Ryland Davies, and coached by Ian Partridge. Sam is a member of the Royal Academy Song Circle.

Sam is in great demand in Oratorio and his performances include Mozart 'Requiem', Bach 'St Matthew Passion' and 'St John Passion', Mendelssohn 'Elijah', Handel 'Messiah', Britten 'St Nicholas', Dyson 'Canterbury Pilgrims', Haydn 'Nelson Mass' and Beethoven 'Mass in C'.

Sam's opera roles to date include Abinidab in Samuel Hogarth's new opera David and Goliath, Rinnucio (Gianni Schicchi), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Lensky (Eugene Onegin), Orfeo (Orfeo), Lysander (Midsummer Night's Dream) and Tamino (Magic Flute).

He is currently supported by the Fishmonger's Trust Fund scholarship, the Josephine Baker Trust and the Elizabeth Evans Trust. He has previously benefitted from a Prince of Wales Award from the Arts Council of Wales and a South Square Trust Fund scholarship.

Future engagements include the title role in Albert Herring for Shadwell Opera (Summer 2011) and for Toulouse Opera in 2013.