For four decades, Michael Chance has performed in a bewildering variety of environs all over the world. Never content just to be labelled a pioneer of historically-informed performance of earlier repertory, he has also championed the work of many contemporary composers, and been
fortunate enough to have had operatic roles, song cycles, cantatas and much else written for him.
His earliest operatic appearances were at Cambridge University, soon followed by 3 seasons with Kent Opera, which included Judith Weir’s first opera, A Night at the Chinese Opera. His operatic roles have tended towards gods, heroes and fairies, and has performed as such across the globe with many of the leading international companies and festivals, with regular visits to Glyndebourne, ENO, ROH, Netherlands Opera, Opera Australia, Bayerische Staatsoper, Maggio Musicale, São Carlos, Lisbon, amongst many.
In concert, he has sung Bach with the Berlin Philharmonic and Rattle, Handel with Gewandhaus Orchestra and Chailly, Purcell with Concentus Musicus and Harnoncourt, and Orff with
London Symphony Orchestra and de Burgos, as well as regular work with John Eliot Gardiner, Ton Koopman, Frans Bruggen, and across the baroque board.
His regular recitals covered a wide range of collaborators including lute (Nigel North, Jacob Lindberg, David Millar amongst many), piano (Malcolm Martineau, Roger Vignoles, Julius Drake), harpsichord (Maggie Cole, Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Gustav Leonhardt, Richard Egarr) and for over 30 years, Fretwork viol consort.
He is fortunate to have worked during the golden age of digital recording and has over 160 titles to his name. His many awards include Grammy and Diapason d’or.
Michael Chance is Professor at Royal Conservatorium, Den Haag, and the Royal Academy of Music, London.
In 2015 he started The Grange Festival and continues to be its Artistic Director and CEO.
He was awarded CBE in 2009.
