Morris, Niall (1975-Present)

Vocalist from Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland who started out as a chorister at St. Bartholomew’s Church, which is located on the south side of the capital city in Ballsbridge. He was also interested in learning how to play the piano, so his mother bought him one and he practiced diligently and even composed his own music. One of his early mentors was David Milne, who taught piano and directed the choir.

He is listed as having attended five schools to round out his education and musical training: the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, King’s College at London University, the National Opera Studio, Trinity College and Wesley College at Ballinteer in his native land.

Groups with whom he has worked include: the Celtic Tenors, the Dubliners, the d’Oyly Carte Opera, the English Touring Opera, the Loughcrew Festival Opera, Opera Ireland, and the Opera Waiters (who are sometimes referred to as the Irish Opera Waiters, Opera Singing Waiters and the Singing Waiters).

His operatic debut took place in Sadler’s Wells, London, with the English Touring Opera, as Nemorino in Gaetano Donizetti’s l’Elisir d’Amore. Then he appeared at the Almeida Theatre as Davy in Siren Song by Jonathan Dove. Other roles include Antonio in The Duenna, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Paris in La Belle Helene and Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore.

The production he credits for putting him on the radar was Powder Her Face by Thomas Ades in which he played the dual roles of the electrician and waiter. A CD was released and nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Opera Recording in 2000.

He relocated to Dublin in his late twenties and it turned out to be a serendipitous move, as it gave him an opportunity to join the up-and-coming Celtic Tenors. They auditioned at EMI and were signed on the spot in 2000, and shortly thereafter released their eponymous debut.

In 2006, Niall quit the group to pursue other interests, such as performing solo and with Opera Waiters and Trilogy. He has also served as artistic director, director, producer and set designer with the Loughcrew Festival Opera, assistant director and company manager with Opera Ireland, and writer. On 15^th February 2012, his Casta Diva: The Life, Loves & Music of Maria Callas debuted at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. He has also become a well-respected travel writer.

Sources:

Morris, Niall (1975-Present)

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