Christopher Diffey is a Jugendlicher Heldentenor, currently in the ensemble at Nationaltheater Mannheim, where recent roles have included Max (Der Freischütz) and Erik (Der Fliegende Holländer). A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music Opera Course (London), Christopher is originally from Melbourne, Australia, and is also much in demand for his versatility, embracing music from the Baroque and Bel Canto, through Britten, Bernstein and new compositions.
His work has taken him throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, including to Dutch National Opera, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Opéra National de Bordeaux, Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Scottish Opera, Opera North and Garsington Opera.
Recordings include Melchior in Hans Thomalla's world premiere opera Dark Spring, as well as the role of Condulmiero for Garsington Opera in their production of Rossini’s Maometto Secondo, available on CD here.
Christopher's most recent appearances include his debuts for Staatstheater Meiningen in the demanding role of Arindal (Die Feen) by Richard Wagner and Theater Bielefeld in a production or Schubert's masterpiece Winterreise (orchestrated by Zender), Severin in Der Silbersee (Kurt Weil) with Calixto Bieito as well as role debuts of Max in Weber's Der Freischütz and Erik in Wagner's Der Fliegende Holländer for Nationaltheater Mannheim, einspringen for the Komische Oper Berlin (Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny) and Theater Freiburg (Der Freischütz), the title role in a new production of Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring (NTM), Peter Quint in The Turn of the Screw for Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, along with the world premiere of Hans Thomalla's Dark Spring at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, voted one of the four outstanding new operas of the 2020/21 season by Opernwelt, and released on CD by OEHMS, as well as covering the role of Hauptmann in Wozzeck for the Festival d'Aix en Provence under Sir Simon Rattle and Simon McBurney. Recent seasons included roles in Anna Nicole with Staatstheater Wiesbaden, Tamino with Theater und Orchester Heidelberg and NTM, David in Wagner’s masterpiece Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg with NTM and Staatstheater Wiesbaden, as well as François in A Quiet Place (Bernstein) with Theater Lübeck. Upcoming performances for the 2024/25 season include role debuts in Der Schmied von Gent and Die Csárdásfürstin for NTM, as well as Greek Passion for Theater Bielefeld.
Christopher is represented by Weiler Artists Management Berlin. If you would like to contact them about prospective work, please do so by emailing Thomas Weiler at ed.stsitra-reliew%40reliew
Updated 26th June 2024
News
New roles announced for the upcoming season at NTM and further afield. Check it out in the Calendar.
Christopher will sing the demanding role of Arindal in Die Feen (Wagner) for Staatstheater Meiningen to open the 2023/24 season.
Christopher will be awarded the prestigious ARAM from the Royal Academy of Music in this year's awards in May.
Winterreise premiered at Theater Bielefeld to rave reviews. Check them out!
The Nationaltheater Mannheim / Airport Society production of Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno was nominated for an International Opera Award as best digital opera production.
The Nationaltheater Mannheim 2022/23 has been announced, with some exciting role debuts upcoming! These include Officer 1/Sandy in Peter Maxwell Davies' The Lighthouse
Christopher's first guest contract of the 2022/23 season will be at the beautiful Theater Bielefeld in their dance production of Schubert's masterpiece, Winterreise. Check out dates and book tickets here.
Christopher's first title role for Nationaltheater Mannheim, Albert Herring, opens in just over a week. Tickets are limited, so be quick and CLICK HERE
Check out this interview I gave back in September, regarding the reopening of performances at Nationaltheater Mannheim, in preparation for the world premiere of Hans Thomalla's Dark Spring.