[ ClassicalX ] Cooking up a classical dish

A tenor from Castle Gresley is hoping that the classical album recorded in his kitchen will hit the top spot upon its release.

Thomas Spencer-Wortley, who grew up in Mount Road but now lives in London, will release his debut album Credere, Believe in Italian, nationally on August 24.

The 27-year-old is still on cloud nine after being described by the Sunday Express as ‘the solo version of Il Divo’ after his official album launch in London.

“The amount of support I have had and what has been happening have been overwhelming,” he said.

“Everything is going in the right direction.

“Credere was actually recorded in my kitchen with the Noah’s Ark of all orchestras. Everything was recorded individually and my younger brother Oliver helped out.

“I arranged every piece in the album and it includes three original compositions.” The unsigned tenor describes his album as a blend of classic with his own interpretations. His version of Ave Maria has already received airplay on BBC Radio 2.

He said: “I would like to cover the grey area between classical and popular music. I listen to a wide mixture of bands from Metallica to Take That to Andre Bocelli so I am interested in a wide range.

Aside from releasing Credere, the former pupil of St Wystan’s School, Repton, and Repton Preparatory School, Foremark, has also recently been named as the tenor for Derby County and will sing at all the club’s home games this season. On Saturday, he will perform at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium before the start of the game against Morecambe.

“What has happened has been overwhelming. I really hope for a number one position with this album but in about five years time I’d really like to continue in concert tours,” he said.

The local lad auditioned for the role of Oliver in the musical at the Brewhouse as a young boy before studying classical voice at Trinity College, then moving on to the Royal Academy of Music Credere will be released on August 24, and will be available from HMV, Amazon, play.com and iTunes.

Source: Burton Mail