English tenor Matthew Minter developed his passion for singing as a member of the Berkshire Youth Choir before becoming the youngest member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. In 1992 Matthew sang with the World Youth Choir at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Following his undergraduate studies, Matthew continued his vocal training with Nicholas Powell at the Royal Northern College of Music.
In demand as a soloist on the concert platform, Matthew has performed with many of Britain’s leading orchestras under the direction of such distinguished conductors as Marin Alsop, Pierre Boulez, Bernard Haitink, and Sir David Willcocks. His command and delivery of the role of Evangelist in Bach’s Passions has seen him compared to one of the greatest exponents of the role - Sir Peter Pears.
As a consort singer, Matthew has worked extensively with the BBC Singers over the past thirty years and was a member of the Netherlands Radio Choir for five years. He continues to perform with a variety of vocal ensembles, recording for radio, television and film. Matthew sings on a daily basis as a Vicar Choral at Wells Cathedral, and he also enjoys giving vocal coaching sessions to aspiring singers in the Wells area.
Selected career highlights include a gala concert performance in the presence of a number of former British Prime Ministers, serenading various members of the British Royal Family at a private party, appearing live on BBC1 as soloist during the Christmas Day morning service, and a most exhilarating experience being driven at high speed around the Ascari race circuit in Spain by the seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher whilst singing ‘O Sole Mio’ which was featured on the BBC’s Top Gear programme.
Recent concert engagements include Bach’s St. Matthew Passion-Evangelist at Oxford Town Hall; Orff’s Carmina Burana at Wells Cathedral; Handel’s The Messiah at Worcester Cathedral; Verdi’s Requiem at the Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi.
Matthew is proud to serve on the Equity Singers Committee representing professional singers across the UK. Aside from singing, Matthew enjoys walking in the countryside with his wife Louise and their Dog Harvey. Matthew also fills his spare time servicing and restoring antique clocks as well as vintage fountain pens!