RICHARD DECKER
“Countertenor star of the future”
COLIN CLARKE, OPERA NOW
Finalist in the 2024 Kathleen Ferrier Awards
About Richard
Richard is a countertenor and conductor from south-east London, described by Opera Now as a “countertenor star of the future”. He was a finalist in the 2024 Kathleen Ferrier Awards at Wigmore Hall.
A graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, Richard specialises in Baroque opera, oratorio and song, while also enjoying a broad and varied repertoire that extends beyond traditional countertenor roles. Recent highlights include performances of Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and roles ranging from Arsamene (Serse) to Prince Orlovsky (Die Fledermaus). He appears regularly with opera companies and ensembles across the UK and Europe and is an active advocate for contemporary music.
Alongside his performing career, Richard is an accomplished linguist and educator. A ‘starred’ First-Class graduate of St John’s College, Cambridge, in Italian, French and Linguistics, he combines scholarly insight with practical performance experience in his work as a teacher, translator and language coach.
Richard is also an experienced conductor, pianist and organist. He is currently Director of Music at St Augustine’s Church, Tooting, and Musical Director of Dartford Choral Society and Ferrier Operatic Society.
