Jon Christos (born John Christodoulou 23 March 1976, Salford, England) is an English singer, local radio presenter. and a member of the Professorial Staff - Vocal Studies at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
A classically trained tenor, he is best known for albums of operatically-styled crossover music.
Biography
Early years and education
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.
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.
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.
"Chasing the dream" Deciding on a change in direction, Christos career change when manager and producer Perry Hughes took control and signed him first to Sony then to his own label roots music group. Perry had managed the career and was responsible of the success of Russell Watson when signing Christos to Roots Music Group this led to the release of Christos' debut album Northern Light, followed by a Granada TV documentary, in their Chasing The Dream series. This included footage of Christos' trip to the US on 6 September 2005, to perform with Erich Kunzel and his Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at a special "9/11" commemorative concert. Northern Light reached number 6 in the classical albums charts.
2006–present
In July 2006 Christos accompanied conductor and composer Carl Davis in a Sports Symphony themed concert in Pamplona, Spain. He again performed with Davis, in October 2006 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow and Edinburgh and in May 2007 with the Halle Orchestra at Manchester Bridgewater Hall. Christos also accompanied Davis in June 2007 at James Bond theme concerts with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and the next month at Leeds Castle in Kent. In the summer of that year Christos headlined the Northern Proms in Durham., the autumn saw him perform at the Royal Albert Hall Football Reaching out for Africa charity concert organised by Patti Boulaye, 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 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 at Southampton in the presence of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
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. 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 Queen Elizabeth 2 to the port. Dignitaries attending included the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Simon Weston, Beryl Bainbridge and John Prescott.