In our final Samling Artist Profile before Saturday’s public Masterclass and Concert at Sage Gateshead, today is pianist Finnegan Downie Dear’s turn under the spotlight.
Finnegan was born in London and studied at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music.
He works regularly with the Royal Opera House’s music staff as an assistant conductor and pianist and is also the music director of Shadwell Opera, a young company specialising in performing contemporary repertoire.
As a recitalist he has performed at venues including Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square and at the Crush Room of the Royal Opera House.
In 2014 Finnegan won 2nd prize in the Kathleen Ferrier Competition with soprano and Samling Artist Sarah-Jane Lewis. You can read a review here of a recent performance by Finnegan and Sarah-Jane which praises his ‘poise and panache’.
Finnegan is returning to us having first attended Samling Artist Programme in 2014.
Finnegan Downie Dear will be joined by seven other Samling Artists in a public Masterclass and Concert on Saturday 27 February at Sage Two, Sage Gateshead, led by internationally-renowned mezzo Ann Murray DBE, the great German baritone Olaf Bär and Royal Opera House pianist Caroline Dowdle. Visit the Sage Gateshead website or call 0191 443 4661 to book tickets.