English baritone Peter Harvey initially studied French and German at Magdalen College in Oxford before embarking on vocal training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Peter Harvey
Baritone
Even while still a student, he won several awards including the English Song Award and the Peter Pears Award.
His great talent for the late baroque repertoire soon became apparent. He shone in numerous performances and CD recordings with specialized ensembles such as Collegium Vocale Gent, The English Baroque Soloists and Le Concert Spirituel. In the music of Bach, he is a much sought-after soloist. The Nederlandse Bachvereniging made press-appreciated recordings with him of the
Weihnachtsoratorium
and the
Hohe Messe
, among other works. About his interpretation of the Christ part in the
St. Matthew Passion
with the Gabrieli Consort, The Guardian wrote: 'Harvey's Christ combines resigned sacredness with palpable, sometimes heartbreaking agony and doubt.' He sang the same part in 2008 with great success with the Boston Symphony Orchestra where Bernard Haitink conducted this work for the first time in his career.
But Peter Harvey has also created a furor outside the Baroque. He gives song recitals worldwide in England, France and Canada, among others, and has made CDs of works by contemporary composers Tavener and Pousseur. Since 2008, he has led the Magdalena Consort, which he himself founded.