Richard Hazell

Richard Hazell's recent West End theatre credits include playing Monsieur Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in London.

Born in Staffordshire, Richard Hazell won the foundation scholarship to the Royal College of Music and in 1961 made his professional debut in the film Phantom of the Opera. He then toured with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in Great Britain, USA and Canada singing many of the principal baritone roles. Upon returning to Britain, Richard appeared in Camelot (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Charlie Girl (Adelphi Theatre) and Fiddler on the Roof (Her Majesty's Theatre).

During the 1960s and '70s Richard also worked regularly in recording and television, appearing in sketches and musical items in such well-known light entertainment series such as Monty Python's Flying Circus, The Two Ronnies and The Goodies.

In 1973 Richard joined the Royal Opera Company where he remained on contract until 2001. During this time he worked with all the great singers and conductors and sang in many of the world's great opera houses including La Scala, Milan, Berlin, Munich, The Metropolitan, New York and did three extended tours of Japan and Korea.

His other interests include being Chairman of Amici di Verdi for eight years, during which time he presented master classes with Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni and Carlo Bergonzi. He was a founder member of the Opera in Education committee at the Royal Opera House. Richard has also worked as a promoter, staging an opera and ballet gala at the Royal Albert Hall.