Michael Craddock

Michael Craddock started his formal musical education with the choir of Trinity College Cambridge, with whom he sang for four years, whilst studying Mathematics, and now combines his time as a regular member of the Gesualdo Six with a busy schedule of freelance oratorio, operatic and song perfomances in the UK and further afield.

Operatic performances include Walton The Bear (Smirnov) for Opera Anywhere, Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom) in Aldeburgh, sharing the role with Matthew Rose, Donizetti Don Pasquale (Dr. Malatesta) for Opera Minima and Verdi’s La Traviata (Marchese) for Regent’s Opera at the Bermuda Festival. He sang the dual roles of Alfio/Tonio in Hampstead Garden Opera’s performances of Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci and gave the role of Dandini in the Bedford Park Festival production of La Cenerentola. Most recently he performed the part of the Usher in Sullivan's Trial by Jury, with the OAE and John Wilson.

He has a particular affinity for the music of JS Bach, and has given many performances with the group Amici Voices, who specialise in one-voice-per-part performances of Bach's vocal works. In their performance of the St Matthew Passion ‘Michael Craddock … deserve(d) special mention’ (Early Music Review). He was singled out by Opera News magazine for 'beautifully shaped' solo singing, with 'comforting tone' in Amici Voices CD release of BWV 106 and 182 (Hyperion). Recent oratorio solos include bass arias in the St Matthew Passion with the Auckland Philharmonia, Pilate/Arias in the St John Passion with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Messiah with Hereford Choral Society.

He is the regular baritone with the flexible ensemble The Marian Consort, with whom he regularly tours and records, most recently featuring on a disc of William Byrd's music titled Singing in Secret (Delphian). He has visited or will visit the USA, Japan and numerous European festivals with the group.

Other freelance consort work include engagements with The Tallis Scholars, Vox Luminis, The Gabrieli Consort, Polyphony, Contrapunctus, Le Concert D’astree, The Cardinall’s Musick, and the Choir of the Enlightenment.