FRANCO
KONG
Baritone
Franco Kong, a baritone with British citizenship, was born of a musical family in China.
He won a full scholarship to study at the Singhai Conservatoire and obtained his B.A. degree. Soon he won the Norman Gristwood scholarship to pursue postgraduate courses at Trinity College of Music, London. Franco is fast becoming an accomplished opera, oratorio and recital artist. His opera debut was the Count Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro (Singhai Conservatoire) where he also created the role of Casper in Joe Carpenter and Son in the world premiere. He worked with Wexford Festival Opera, Dublin Grand Opera, Birmingham Opera Co., Chelsea Opera Group, English Touring Opera, English Festival Opera, Almeida Opera, Opera Box, British Youth Opera, Clonter Opera Farm, First Act Opera, Midland Opera, Garsington Opera, London Opera player, New Sussex Opera, Midland Opera, Apollo Opera, Ahmadi Music Group ( Kuwait ). His many recital and oratorio performances have taken him to the Royal Opera House (lunch time concert in Crash room), Queen Elizabeth Hall, The Purcell Room, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, St. James (Piccadilly), Southwark Cathedral, Brandown Hall (Swansea), Tyne Theatre (Newcastle), Royal Exchange Theatre (Manchester). Blackheath Concert Hall (London).
Master Classes:
Participated in master classes given by Gerard Souzay, Bernadette Greevy, Sherrill Milnes, Seigei Leiferkus, Sir Thomas Allen.
Reviews:
"Chinese-born Franco Kong has a host of roles to his credit, and that certainly showed here. His Leporello was beautifully-voiced (not just the catalogue aria - superbly accompanied - early on - ‘in Spain, 1003’,)
Amusing, entertaining, nervous and edgy, and looking like an out-of-work coolie, and a wonderful feel for comic asides, he delivered a sharp-witted, canny performance."
Roderic Dunnett 25-06-16
" A very effective performance of ' You rascal' from Vanessa. Good text and good character - a splendid feeling for the drama and humour"
Donald Maxwell 2013
"Though F Kong's Marcello gave notice of a challenging baritone.
-Surry Comment
" Replacing at only four days notice, F Kong showed to be a fine singer"
-Guardian
" The bit part did well too ( F Kong & D Harisson ) dazzled in barber shop close dueting "
- The Independent
" F Kong doubling the roles of Francesca's brother Ostassio and the Captain in the rowdy battle scene made a very good impression."
- Guardian
Future Engagements:
Title role of Rigoletto ( concert performence in San Dona Di Piave Italy) March 2016, Title role of Don Pasquale with Apollo Opera April 2016, Title role of Macbeth ( Cover ) with Kentish Opera May 2016, Role of Pluto in Hippolyte et Arice ( Concert performence ) with Linden Baroque Orchestra June 2016, Role of Leporello in Don Giovanni with Heritage Opera Summer tour 2016, Solo recital in San Tao City ( China ) December 2016 and role of Scarpia in Tosca with Opera Seria Febuary 2017.
Future Engagement:Title role of Rigoletto ( San Dona Di Piave Italy ) March 2016, Title role of Don Pasquale ( Apollo Opera ) April 2016, Title role of Macbeth ( Cover ) with Kentish Opera May 2016, Role of Pluto in Hippolyte et Arice ( Linden Baroque Orchestra) June 2016, Leporello in Don Giovanni ( Heritage Opera ) Summer tour 2016, Solo Recital in San Tao City ( China ) December 2016, Role of Scarpia in Tosca ( Opera Seria ) Febuary 2017.