Paul Nilon

Paul Nilon is a Professor of Singing and Principal Study Tutor at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) within the School of Vocal Studies and Opera, internationally recognized as one of the outstanding artists of his generation with a repertoire spanning Monteverdi to Britten and Jonathan Dove.

His artistic focus encompasses:

• Opera performance and interpretation
• Vocal technique and pedagogy
• Early music specialization
• Contemporary opera repertoire
• Operatic character development

With a 37-year career featuring 34 productions at Opera North including title roles in Idomeneo and Werther, he has performed with major orchestras including the London Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under conductors like Sir Mark Elder and Donald Runnicles. His international opera engagements span Bayerische Staatsoper, San Francisco Opera, and Deutsche Oper Berlin in collaborations with directors including Sir Graham Vick and David McVicar.

Nilon maintains a significant teaching practice developed over 30 years at Leeds Conservatoire and his alma mater RNCM, where he studied under Frederic R.Cox, mentoring emerging vocalists in both technical mastery and dramatic interpretation.