Richard Roddis, conductor
Richard Roddis is well known throughout the East Midlands for
his work with choirs. His conducting experience stretches back more
than a quarter of a century and, as a professional singer and a
member of several top choirs, he brings a wealth of experience and
enthusiasm to choral conducting.
Richard has become an expert exponent of the chamber choir repertoire, working with Exeter University Singers in the 1980s, and currently with the Sinfonia Chorale, the Derwent Singers, the Derby Bach Choir and his own choir the Richard Roddis Singers, which has operated annually since 1980. He was appointed Director of the Sinfonia Chorale in June 1991. As a conductor, he has broadcast on BBC and Independent TV and Radio, and toured both in the UK and Europe. He pursues an ambitious and wide-ranging programme, selecting challenging repertoire, championing neglected works, and constantly demanding the highest standards in performance. He also composes and arranges for choirs.
As a solo tenor, Richard is much in demand nationwide in oratorio
and recital. Recent and future engagements include the Bach Passions
(Evangelist), Britten St Nicolas, Monteverdi Vespers,
Schubert Die schöne Müllerin, Schumann Dichterliebe.
During 2001, two CD recordings were issued: one entitled Songs
of Joy and Woe includes Dichterliebe and English song, in which
he is accompanied by Clive Pollard, and one of solo songs by contemporary
composer Patrick Larley.
Richard won Joint First Prize for his Lieder singing in a national
competition staged by the London Lieder Group in December 2001.
The event attracted 265 entrants from whom eight finalists were
judged by Graham Johnson and Anthony Rolfe Johnson.