BIOGRAPHY
Australian baritone Allyn Wu, currently residing in London, exhibits an ardent devotion to diverse musical genres, complemented by his exquisite vocal finesse. He is pursuing postgraduate studies with a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of Marcus van den Akker, Raymond Connell, and Chad Vindin.
Allyn’s operatic repertoire spans from early music to contemporary operas. His first operatic experience was performing in the chorus of the Royal Academy Opera’s Opera Triple Bill under the baton of Ryan Wigglesworth. He has since returned to perform in productions such as The Rake’s Progress under Trevor Pinnock and The Marriage of Figaro under Alice Farnham. His recent captivating sold-out performance of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen with Hampstead Garden Opera earned him a nomination for an Offies award. Other operatic highlights include his nuanced portrayal of Papageno in Vocal Faculty Scenes, his commanding interpretation of Apollo in Handel’s Apollo e Dafne, the role of Slave in George Parris' opera When the Sky Cracks Open at the Tête à Tête opera festival, and roles in two new operas as part of the Academy’s Opera Makers project.
Allyn is also an experienced oratorio singer with a keen interest in historical performance. He performs regularly with the Royal Academy Bach Consort in its Bach in Leipzig and Resounding Shore series, collaborating with luminaries such as Masaaki Suzuki, Dame Jane Glover, John Butt, Eamonn Dougan, Elizabeth Kenny, and Peter Whelan. His repertoire includes Brahms' Requiem, Handel's Messiah and Dettingen Te Deum, Mozart's Requiem, Haydn's Nelson Mass, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “An die Freude”, Mendelssohn's Elijah, C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat, and J.S. Bach’s St John Passion, St Matthew Passion, St Luke Passion, Christmas Oratorio, B Minor Mass, along with over half of Bach's two hundred-plus cantatas.
As a recitalist, Allyn has performed in various venues across London, including the Academy Voices series at the Italian Cultural Institute and the Royal Academy of Music Piano Festival. He will soon perform for the Halifax Philharmonic Club in a recital of works by Johannes Brahms, Robert and Clara Schumann, curated by German Lieder expert Richard Stokes.
He has also actively engaged in workshops and masterclasses led by renowned artists such as Dame Emma Kirkby and Nicky Spence, enriching his artistic journey. Beyond his solo endeavours, Allyn maintains a busy schedule of choral music, performing with Genesis Sixteen, Oxford Bach Soloists, Chineke!, Philharmonia Chorus, and the choir of St Paul’s Church Knightsbridge.
Allyn is generously supported by the Josephine Baker Trust, furthering his pursuit of excellence in vocal performance and musical scholarship.