Nicky Spence Appointed Ambassador for Help Musicians

Friday, August 13, 2021

In his new role, the acclaimed Scottish tenor, appearing at the BBC Proms on Monday, will be helping to promote the 100-year-old charity supporting musicians across the UK

Nicky Spence's role as ambassador for Help Musicians comes at a crucial moment in the organisation's history as it marks its centenary year and works to support musicians back into live performance following the unprecedented pandemic crisis.

His long relationship with the charity began when Help Musicians supported him to study at Guildhall in London and at the National Opera Studio at the start of his career. He has since gone on to raise over £25,000 as part of a Glasgow to London charity bike ride and be an active advocate for the breadth of work the charity does to support musicians.

‘It’s fair to say that I would simply not be enjoying a career if it weren’t for the support of Help Musicians,’ said Spence. ‘Coming from a working-class background, it was not the obvious choice for me to become a classical musician but their support endorsed me on my path and I’ve been compelled to give back ever since. They have been an extraordinary force for good during the pandemic and I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.’

You can hear Spence in action on Monday 16 August, as part of this year’s BBC Proms season, when he joins a host of British opera stars and the BBC Philharmonic to perform excerpts from Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio. Elsewhere.

The 2021/22 season sees Spence make his role debut as Siegmund in a new production of Wagner’s The Valkyrie for English National Opera directed by Richard Jones and conducted by Martyn Brabbins. He also returns to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as Laca in Claus Guth’s new production of Jenůfa and as Samson in Richard Jones’ new production of Samson et Dalila opposite Elīna Garanča, conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. He also makes his debut at the Deutsche Staatsoper as Gregor in The Makropulos Case, in another new production by Claus Guth and conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Spence will also be setting out to prove that Anyone Can Sing as part of a new Sky Arts show in partnership with English National Opera.