Camerata Tinta Barocca
 
Christopher Ainslie - Counter-tenor
Christopher Ainslie - Counter-Tenor
Christopher Ainslie began singing in the choir of St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, his home city. In 2005 he moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music, where he gained a postgraduate diploma in vocal studies with distinction. He now studies privately with Mark Tucker, Paul Farrington and Audrey Hyland.
Christopher’s recent performance in the title role of Handel’s Poro (conducted by Laurence Cummings, and part of the 2007 London Handel Festival) was highly acclaimed. Other opera roles include the cover of Ottone in the English National Opera production of Poppea, Medoro in Orlando with Independent Opera at Sadler’s Wells, Alessandro in Tolomeo Rè d’Egitto, in the 2006 London Handel Festival and Arsamenes in an Edinburgh Festival Fringe production of Xerxes.
Recent oratorio performances include the title role in Handel’s Solomon (2007 Handel Festival), The Messiah, with the Philadelphia Orchestra and with the London Handel Orchestra, Belshazzar (Cyrus) in the Frauenkirche in Dresden and Saul (David) in St John’s, Smith Square; Bach’s St Matthew Passion in Worcester Cathedral and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Christopher is the winner of the Michael Oliver Prize in the 2007 Handel Singing Competition, and recipient of the Hulbert Award through the London Handel Society.
Upcoming engagements include the premier of Birtwistle’s The Minotaur (Innocent 4) at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the London Handel Orchestra.
While qualifying as a chartered accountant in Cape Town, Christopher studied singing part time and since moving to London has had lessons with Mark Tucker, Paul Farrington, Ryland Davies and David Daniels and has sung in masterclasses with Michael Chance, Peter Harvey, Ashley Stafford and Sarah Walker.
Christopher is grateful for the support of Independent Opera at Sadler’s Wells and the Richard Carne Trust.
Please visit Christopher's site at www.christopherainslie.com.
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