Thomas Allen
Born: 10th September 1944, Seaham Harbour, County Durham
Nationality: British
Thomas Allen was born in Seaham, County Durham in 1944 and studied at the Royal College of Music, spending his early career at Welsh National Opera where his repertoire included Papageno, Guglielmo and Rossini’s Figaro and the title-roles in Eugene Onegin and Billy Budd. He made his Covent Garden debut in the latter opera (as Donald) in 1971, which heralded the beginning of a four-decade relationship with the house; celebrated roles there and further afield include Beckmesser (Die Meistersinger), Guglielmo and Don Alfonso (Cosi fan tutte), the title-roles in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi, and the Forester in The Cunning Little Vixen. Allen is also acclaimed for his recitals and recordings of English song (particularly songs from his native North East), Gilbert & Sullivan and musical theatre, where successes have included Sweeney Todd and (more recently) recordings with fellow Northerner John Wilson.
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Further Reading: Thomas Allen
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Guys and Dolls from John Wilson and Sinfonia of London
18th Sep 2026
John Wilson and Sinfonia of London continue their series of recordings of classic musicals with an incredibly stylish, joyous performance of Frank Loesser’s Broadway hit, featuring a cracking cast led by Louise Dearman, Sierra Boggess, and Nathaniel Hackmann.
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Sir Thomas Allen reflects on his career
16th Oct 2025
In the wake of receiving Gramophone's Lifetime Achievement Award last night, the beloved British baritone shares insights and anecdotes from his five decades on stage - and picks out four favourite recordings from his vast discography...
Recent Best Sellers: Thomas Allen
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New. Frank Loesser: Guys and Dolls
Sierra Boggess (Sarah Brown), Nathaniel Hackmann (Sky Masterson), Louise Dearman (Miss Adelaide), David Seadon Young (Nathan Detroit), Sir Thomas Allen (Arvide Abernathy), Damian Humbley (Nicely-Nicely Johnson) Sinfonia of London, John Wilson
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Gramophone Magazine, October 2026, Editor's Choice
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BBC Music Magazine, October 2026, Opera Choice
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Presto Recording of the Week, 18th September 2026, Recording of the Week
2 SACDs: $40.50Download from $20.00 -
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Special offer. Henri Duparc - The Complete Songs
Sarah Walker (mezzo soprano), Thomas Allen (baritone), Roger Vignoles (piano)
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Building a Library, October 2006, First Choice
CD: Original price $17.75 Reduced $8.87Download from $8.25 -
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Special offer. Duruflé: Requiem
Ann Murray (mezzo soprano), Thomas Allen (baritone), Thomas Trotter (organ) Corydon Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Matthew Best
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Building a Library, November 2002, First Choice
CD: Original price $17.75 Reduced $12.42Download from $8.25 -
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Mozart: Così fan tutte, K588
Janice Watson (Fiordiligi), Diana Montague (Dorabella), Lesley Garrett (Despina), Toby Spence (Ferrando), Christopher Maltman (Guglielmo), Sir Thomas Allen (Don Alfonso); Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Sir Charles Mackerras
3 CDs: $25.00Download from $30.00
