Retired since 2008, Ian Partridge was for several decades one of Britain's most celebrated lyric tenors with a wide range of recitals and recordings that encompassed works by many classical composers as well as romantic songs from England and across Europe. He appeared as a soloist with top choirs and orchestras around the world and in recitals with his pianist sister Jennifer Partridge and actress Prunella Scales. His lengthy discography includes Bach's 'St John Passion', Britten's 'Serenade', Handel's 'Chandos Anthems', Purcell's 'The Fairy Queen', Schubert's 'Die Schöne Müllerin', Schumann's 'Dichterliebe' and 'Liederkreis, Opus 39', Vaughan Williams' 'On Wenlock Edge' and Warlock's 'The Curlew'. He also recorded three albums of English 20th century songs, romantic songs for voice and guitar with Jakob Lindberg.
Born in a suburb of London, he sang in the choir at New College, Oxford and studied music at Clifton College, the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music. He spent four years with the Westminster Cathedral Choir until 1962 when he began his solo career. He performed more than 400 recitals with his sister Jennifer and he has collaborated with Prunella Scales in some 350 presentations of 'An Evening With Queen Victoria', in which he performed songs written by Prince Albert. Although retired from performing, he continues to appear on radio, conducts masterclasses and acts as an adjudicator in events such as the Bach Singing Prize and the Handel Singing Competition.
