Andrew Shore

Andrew Shore, a British baritone born in Oldham in 1952, belongs to the generation of singers who carried English opera to regional and repertory stages during the 1980s and 1990s. His profile is defined by a notable versatility between comic and dramatic roles, something rare in a single voice.

He trained at the RNCM and at the London Opera Centre, and after spells with Opera For All and various university groups he joined Kent Opera, where between 1981 and 1987 he successfully sang Antonio in Le nozze di Figaro and Bartolo in Rossini's opera. He later worked with Opera North, in roles such as King Dodon in The Golden Cockerel, Mr Flint in Billy Budd, Gianni Schicchi and Varlaam, and took part in the British premiere of Gerhard's The Duenna in 1992. At English National Opera he stood out as Doeg in the British premiere of Glass's The Making of the Representative for Planet 8, and as Falstaff, a role he also sang at Glyndebourne in 1990. He made his debut at Covent Garden in 1992 and in the United States in San Diego as Dulcamara.

His legacy rests above all on his way of bringing comic characters to life, such as Falstaff and Dr Bartolo, which he has performed throughout Great Britain, Canada and on recordings. Critics have nonetheless also recognised his subtlety in tragic roles such as King Priam and Wozzeck.