Stephen Crook

Stephen Crook studied classical guitar at the Royal College of Music. He has gained many diplomas, given recitals, and played concertos in the time honoured tradition of the classical musician.

Before that however, he was just another teenager sitting on the end of his bed, strumming a guitar and dreaming of rock bands. ’That was my real beginning’ He says ‘I started with what was in front of me.

Later when I needed direction, it was the classical training that took over and opened a door to all those other influences.’

Where did the singing fit in? ’I don’t know many guitarists who don’t sing, it goes with the instrument.

Maybe it’s a little unusual to make the leap from classical guitarist to opera singer, but it happened slowly and every step seemed like a natural progression.’

In a journey from gigging guitarist to international opera soloist life has been varied to say the least, and his latest venture as the singer of the classical fusion band Verisma, with it’s debut album Aria Futura, is an interesting return to those early roots in rock music.

After ten years treading the boards in some fifty operas, totalling well over a thousand performances, Stephen is excited about this new project. Indeed it seems just as easy to imagine him in front of a rock band, with a guitar slung around his neck, as it is to see him delivering on the operatic stage. ‘I don’t regret taking some time to get here. This is how you learn your craft and find your direction. The songs are great and they suit the kind of voice I have‘.