Our patron
David
butt
Philip
about Our Patron
One of the most exciting tenors Britain has to offer today, David Butt Philip is quickly becoming a firm favourite on the major international stages. David trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. He became a Jerwood Young Artist with Glyndebourne, winning the John Christie Award. He was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme 2012–14.
David started 2026 with a trip to Seattle Opera for a concert performance of Strauss’s Daphne. In March he makes his role and house debuts at La Scala, Milan, singing Siegmund in Die Walküre, before he returns to London for the fundraising gala at St Paul’s Opera. Then he embarks on a spring and summer programme including Der fliegende Holländer in Tokyo, The Dream of Gerontius with the LSO under Sir Antonio Pappano in London, and then Ariadne auf Naxos at Glyndebourne in July and August.
David is committed to supporting St Paul’s Opera with our mission to provide opportunities for emerging artists. As he commented in the programme for the 2025 production of L’elisir d’amore:
“What’s so exciting is to discover the artists who have had some of their earliest experiences [with St Paul’s Opera] now getting a chance at some of the wonderful summer opera festivals elsewhere in the country! This year alone there are FOUR former SPO singers on the Garsington Alvarez Emerging Artists programme (George Reynolds, Abbie Ward, Alfred Mitchell and Matthew Sotillo-Cooke). A remarkable achievement. Not to mention Hector Bloggs, quite literally opening the Glyndebourne season as Fiorello in Il barbiere di Siviglia. Other SPO alumni are currently employed at Longborough, Holland Park and Grange Park Opera. This is EXACTLY what a company like SPO should be for – giving early opportunities and experiences to singers who desperately need them as they find their feet in the business. A place to experiment, a supportive environment in which to try things out in public and then try them again. So that, when they’re ready, they have those learning experiences as a solid foundation should an exciting opportunity present itself!”
recent reviews for dbp
"David Butt Philip ……... outstanding ……….. his tenor soaring” - Erica Jean: The Guardian (Rusalka / ROH)
"……...his singing is scrupulous, at ease when the vocal writing goes high, and he has an appealing, romantic sound.” - Richard Fairman: Financial Times (Rusalka / ROH)
on the eve of the DAVID BUTT PHILIP & friends gala 2023, dbp URGES US ALL TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR THIS TREASURED ART FORM
It’s a delight to be back at St Paul’s Opera again this year, with another group of wonderful musicians whom I’m privileged to call friends! We hope you enjoy a slightly eclectic mix of popular treats and some less frequently performed gems.
Recent months have provided a stark reminder of the need to keep providing early-career performance opportunities to young singers. There are far fewer ‘fringe’ and touring companies than there were 15 years ago when I left the conservatoire system, and the future of publicly funded opera and classical music has never been under greater threat. Those of us who care passionately about art, music, and their continued place in British cultural life must refuse to give up quietly.
We cannot sit back and watch the great, historic, musical institutions we love be continually diminished until there is nothing left. I urge you all to make your voices heard in whatever way you can. Sign a petition, write to your MP, lodge a formal complaint with the BBC or Arts Council England. Otherwise, things will look even more bleak for the next generation of budding artists than they do now.
I was especially pleased to see the great success that St Paul’s Opera had with its production of Albert Herring last summer. The perfect opera for young singers, and one very close to my heart.
The company continues to go from strength to strength. We had another superb masterclass last month, with yet AGAIN the highest standard of singing I have seen since I first became involved with the group. International commitments will sadly keep me away from the 10th anniversary gala in April, but I encourage you all to come and support that, along with this summer’s production of Carmen, led by an exciting new creative team. Bring your friends, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!