| Jon Christos | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 March 1976 |
| Origin | Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Genres | Classical, Crossover (music). |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Roots Music Group |
| Website | Jon Christos.com |
Jon Christos (born John Christodoulou 23 March 1976, Salford, England) is an English singer and local radio presenter.[1]
A classically trained tenor, he is best known for an album of operatically-styled crossover music.
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Born John Christodoulou in Salford, Greater Manchester to a British mother and a Greek Cypriot father. He started playing the violin at the age of 4, quickly changing to the piano. He studied at the renowned Chethams School of Music in Manchester and then the Royal Northern College of Music.[2][3]
Whilst at the RNCM Christos took lead tenor roles, such as Tamino in Mozart's The Magic Flute and Count Almaviva in the college's production of Rossini's The Barber of Seville performed at the Aix-en-Provence music festival in Southern France. Around this time he sang Ernesto in Clonter Opera's production of Donizetti's Don Pasquale.[4]
In 1996 he made his Manchester Bridgewater Hall debut in Berlioz's L'Enfance du Christ under Kent Nagano. He has also performed many times in major oratorios, such as Handel's Messiah, as well as works such as Verdi's Requiem at venues including the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Festival Hall.[5]
Deciding on a change in direction, Christos approached the manager and producer Perry Hughes (former manager of Russell Watson) [6] which led to the release of Christos' debut album Northern Light,[7] followed by a Granada TV documentary, in their Chasing The Dream series.[8] This included footage of Christos' trip to the USA on 6 September 2005, to perform with Erich Kunzel and his Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at a special "9/11" commemorative concert.[9] Northern Light reached number 6 in the classical albums charts.[10]
In July 2006 Christos accompanied conductor and composer Carl Davis in a Sports Symphony themed concert in Pamplona, Spain.[11] He again performed with Davis, in October 2006 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow and Edinburgh[12] and in May 2007 with the Halle Orchestra at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall.[13]
Christos also accompanied Davis in June 2007 at James Bond theme concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic,[14] and the next month at Leeds Castle in Kent. In the summer of that year Christos headlined the Northern Proms in Durham.,[15] the autumn saw him perform at the Royal Albert Hall Football Reaching out for Africa charity concert organised by Patti Boulaye,[16] and in the winter he sang at the Professional Footballers' Association Centenary Match at the City of Manchester Stadium and the following gala Centenary dinner at Manchester's G-Mex centre [17] with Natasha Marsh.
He also performed with Alfie Boe and Garðar Thór Cortes as the new Three Tenors at the launch of the new Cunard Line ship the MS Queen Victoria at Southampton in the presence of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.[18]
During 2008 Christos's notable performances included, Friday Night is Music Night from the Chichester Festival Theatre, Music For Champions, with Carl Davis, Birmingham Symphony Hall.[19] and the televised Professional Footballers' Association awards Grosvenor House Hotel.In the summer Christos returned to Hyde Park, Hyde, Greater Manchester for a third consecutive time supporting the Manchester Camerata.In the autumn he sang with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic under the direction of Anthony Inglis, the Welsh Guards Band and Natasha Marsh before over 2,000 people in Liverpool Cathedral to commemorate the final visit of RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 to the port. Dignitaries attending included the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Simon Weston, Beryl Bainbridge and John Prescott.[20]
2009 began with a sad occasion for Christos, singing at the memorial service of Sara Roache, wife of his friend Coronation Street actor William Roache. Duetto,[21] a new collaboration between Christos and soprano Jenny Williams was launched and was featured on a live BBC Radio Lancashire broadcast (July 3). The summer saw Christos headline The QuexSpitfireProms at Birchington near Margate, Kent, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra [22] under the direction of Anthony Inglis.[23] In September he sang at the live televised BBC Proms in the Park [5] from Buile Hill Park, Salford, Greater Manchester, an event which also featured the BBC Philharmonic and singer/songwriter Chris de Burgh. The following month saw him star with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool to celebrate the birthday of the flagship Cunard liner RMS Queen Mary 2.[24] The year ended with Christos starring in a Raymond Gubbay Christmas spectacular concert at the The O2 arena (London) introduced by Mylene Klass and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Choral Society, Alison Jiear and Stephanie Corley (soprano's).[25]
The new decade began as the previous year with Christos singing this time at the memorial service of Maggie Jones (actress), who played Blanche Hunt in the long running British TV series Coronation Street. [26] Much of the year was devoted to charity raising events throughout the UK (see Charity Work section), but during the summer Christos returned to Cheshire to perform in the popular Tameside Splendid Weekend classical concert.[27] Autumn appearances included a return to Buile Hill Park Salford to present and perform at the BBC Proms in the Park televised live concert featuring John Barrowman and Juliette Pochin [28] and the Inspiration for Women Awards at Cadogan Hall, London.[29] 2011 appearances included a performance at the Inspiration for Women Awards at Royce Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles USA hosted by Alison Sweeney.[30]
In 2005 Christos performed on a ITV Christmas Eve service from Norwich Cathedral with Rick Astley and Hayley Westenra.[31]
During 2006, he performed on BBC 1's Songs of Praise show, appeared on ITV in an Easter Service, the ITV lunchtime chat show Today with Des and Mel, and on a special ITV Act of Worship Peace Service again from Norwich Cathedral.[32]
He also performed on BBC Radio 2's long-running Friday Night is Music Night show.[33] and was a judge on the BBC Radio 2's Young Chorister of the Year competition[34]
Since 2007 he has been a guest TV presenter for Channel M in Manchester and began his own radio show, Sacred Thoughts, on Premier Christian Radio. In 2008 Christos began presenting a weekly popular music show every Sunday afternoon called "Why We Love" for BBC Radio Lancashire, in which he dissects songs of a variety of genres to explore, from a musical point of view, their success and popularity.[35] 2009 and 2010 saw him perform at BBC Proms concerts which were broadcast live on BBC Television via the Red Button (digital television)[36] During 2011 Christos appeared fleetingly with Jenny Williams on Britain's Got Talent, their performance being farcically interrupted when a dog strayed on to the stage.
Christos has performed at a number of high profile sporting events, including appearances at the Powergen Rugby Cup Final, the 2009 England vs Scotland 6 Nations Championship Rugby Union game at Twickenham along with Jonathan Ansell, the Heineken Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and was credited as the first man to sing at the new Wembley Stadium.[37] In 2008 he sang at the opening ceremony of the FINA World Swimming Championships at the Manchester Evening News Arena,[38] and also at a tribute to some of Great Britain's Olympic and Paralympic medallists, including three times cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy.[39] Other sporting venues he has performed at are Old Trafford the home of Manchester United F.C., the City of Manchester Stadium, the Reebok Stadium Bolton, Edgeley Park home of Stockport County and Sale Sharks, Deepdale home of Preston North End, Boundary Park home of Oldham Athletic and The Willows home of his local Rugby League team Salford City Reds.
Christos is an Ambassador for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition, IIMSAM, in support of the United Nations MDGs.[40] The IIMSAM works to promote the use of micro-algae Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis) to counter malnutrition and its severe negative impacts especially in the Developing and Least Developed Countries.[41] Christos is also Patron of the EDN (Eating Disorder Network) charity.[42] Other charities he has supported include The Red Cross, The Kirsty Howard's Appeal, The Prince's Trust, Help The Aged, Variety, the Children's Charity, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, the Five Stars Scanner Appeal for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and in 2009 joined forces with the prestigious Harold Riley (artist), a protege of LS Lowry, to create a limited edition CD of the Ewan MacColl track Dirty Old Town, to be sold in aid of Christie Hospital.[43] During 2010 Christos campaigned for the charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research by singing at numerous department stores, shopping centres, theme parks and train stations nationwide. [44] [45] Christos continued his countrywide charity tour during 2011 to include Macmillan Cancer Support Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Help for Heroes, he also performed that year at a charity concert in Portugal hosted by Sir Cliff Richard.[46]
Christos first began to experience stomach problems in October 2006, with the pain severe enough to cause problems with his singing. On the way to a concert in Scotland in November he had a complete blackout. The results of blood tests in March 2007 confirmed he was suffering from Coeliac disease, an autoimmune disease that can only be treated by the strict removal of gluten from the diet.[47]
Christos is a distant cousin of singer George Michael.[7] He has been vocal coach to cricketer Andrew Flintoff.[48] Although an avid Manchester City F.C. fan, Christos sang at Manchester Cathedral for the wedding of Manchester United F.C. star Gary Neville.[49]
Singles:
Albums: