Ben Thapa (1982 – 2024)

"…...In the season of Remembrance, it was appropriate to include ‘The Spirit of England’, Elgar’s setting of Laurence Binyon’s poems ‘The Fourth of August’, ‘To Women’ and ‘For the Fallen’. This work reflects Elgar’s turbulent feelings about World War One and its glories and its horrors and losses. The wonderful blend of the Choir’s confident command of this work along with Ben Thapa’s gorgeous tenor voice, his strong presence and superb ability to communicate, gave the audience a wonderful insight into this work in all its many moods and emotions."

"Ben Thapa brought a thrilling, almost operatic expressiveness to the tenor solos"

"First out of the blocks was tenor Ben Thapa, whose ‘Nigra Sum’ was particularly impressive, and showed an authentic grasp of the style"

"Ben Thapa handled the role of Gerontius with impeccable control and conviction"

"This was a superb performance with the tenor, Ben Thapa, singing the role of the saint with great power throughout. He immediately engaged with the audience with the opening phrase, “Across the tremendous bridge” ."

".... She was well matched with the Pelleas of Ben Thapa, who sang in a strong, dark tenor and exemplified the production's physicality, at times careering around the stage."