David Webb

British tenor David Webb’s recent debut solo album, Arthur Sullivan: Songs for Tenor, released on Resonus Classics with the Academy of Ancient Music, has received widespread critical acclaim. BBC Radio 3 described it as “the album you didn’t know you needed — but you do,” and it went straight in at No. 7 in the UK Classical Chart, as well as featuring as No1 on the Apple Classical Music Playlist. The recording, conducted by John Andrews, is the first recording of Gilbert and Sullivan on period instruments. (Available wherever you get your music)

David began his musical training as Head Chorister of Exeter Cathedral before becoming Choral Scholar Emeritus at Truro Cathedral. He studied at the Royal College of Music International Opera School as an Irene Hanson Scholar and began his professional career as a Harewood Artist at English National Opera, performing roles including Lysander (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance), and the Young Sailor (Tristan und Isolde).

David has since established himself on many of Europe’s leading stages. At the Salzburg Festival, he appeared as Liberto in L’incoronazione di Poppea; at Glyndebourne Festival and Tour, his roles have included Arsace in Cavalli’s Hipermestra, Brighella in Ariadne auf Naxos, and multiple roles in Handel’s Saul. Internationally, he has performed at the Teatro Real Madrid, Opéra-Comique Paris, Grand Théâtre de Genève, Theater an der Wien, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Opéra National de Montpellier.

Equally at home on the concert platform, David is a sought-after Evangelist in Bach’s St Matthew and St John Passions. He has appeared with Les Violons du Roy, the Royal Northern Sinfonia and the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra, and his concert repertoire includes Britten’s War Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Recital highlights include Wigmore Hall with Martin Katz, Ludlow Festival with Iain Burnside, and projects with the Myrthen Ensemble.

He returns to the Grand Théâtre de Genève later this season for Kaija Saariaho’s Only the Sound Remains, in the acclaimed production by Peter Sellars.

Beyond the stage, David has built a significant social-media presence, bringing opera to a broad international audience through a distinctive mix of performance, humour, fitness and behind-the-scenes content. His commitment to physical fitness also extends to charitable challenges: he has undertaken a series of endurance projects in support of mental-health awareness and cancer research, including completing 24 marathons in 24 days to raise funds for the Institute of Cancer Research.

Bio updated October 2026