Biography

Bass Conall O’Neill is known for his “well-rounded basso cantante” (Opera News) and commanding stage presence. Born and raised in London and now based in Hannover, he performs a wide-ranging repertoire across the UK and Europe.

Recent highlights include Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) with the Lithuanian National Opera. His roles include Colline (La bohème), Alidoro (La Cenerentola), Snug and Theseus (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor)and Frère Laurent (Roméo et Juliette). His repertoire further includes Bartolo (Le nozze di Figaro), Davenaut (Der Vampyr), Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), Badger and Priest (The Cunning Little Vixen), Adonis (Venus and Adonis), Mr Flint (Billy Budd), and Ford in Vaughan Williams’ Sir John in Love (Opera Holland Park/British Youth Opera). His work in The Cunning Little Vixen formed part of an Offies Award-winning ensemble production in London.

O’Neill’s professional debut was with Wexford Festival Opera, where he was a Young Artist for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, appearing as Lorenzo (I Capuleti e i Montecchi), Pistola (Falstaff, broadcast by RTÉ), and L’Oste (Edmea).

Other highlights include performing the role of Norman Allin in Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, conducted by John Wilson at a gala performance at Buckingham Palace hosted by HM King Charles III.

He holds a Master’s in Performance and a Bachelor’s in Music (Hons) from the Royal College of Music, London, where he was an RCM Award Holder supported by the Herbert Howells & Thomas Fielden Scholarships, the Johnson Scholarship, and the Pauline Hartley Award. He previously studied Biology at Imperial College London, graduating with a BSc (Hons).

He has participated in coachings and masterclasses with artists including Sir Thomas Allen, Gregory Kunde, Ernesto Palacio, Ermonela Jaho, Brindley Sherratt, and Matthew Rose.

Not for use in publicity or media - please contact Conall under these circumstances

+
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Conall O’Neill?
Conall O’Neill is an Irish bass opera singer, born and raised in London and now based in Hannover, Germany. He performs across the UK and Europe in both opera and concert repertoire, and is developing a broad profile across lyric and character bass roles. His work to date includes collaborations with established companies and festival programmes, alongside performances in both standard repertoire and less frequently performed works.
What voice type is Conall O’Neill?
Conall O’Neill is a bass, with a repertoire that reflects a lyric bass or basso cantante profile. His voice is suited to roles requiring both warmth and flexibility, encompassing Mozart, bel canto, and Britten, as well as selected French and German repertoire. His work spans both lyric and character roles, allowing for a wide range of musical and dramatic expression.
Where is Conall O’Neill based?
He is based in Hannover, Germany, and works internationally across Europe and the United Kingdom. Being based in Germany allows him to work closely with the German theatre system while maintaining professional connections in the UK and Ireland.
What repertoire does Conall O’Neill perform?
His repertoire spans a wide range of styles, from Mozart and bel canto through to 20th-century opera. Key roles include Bottom and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Raimondo in Lucia di Lammermoor, Colline in La bohème, and Alidoro in La Cenerentola. His repertoire also includes works by Britten, Gounod, Vaughan Williams, and Janáček, reflecting both lyric and character bass traditions.
What are Conall O’Neill’s recent performances?
Recent highlights include performing Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Lithuanian National Opera. This role represents a significant part of his current repertoire and reflects his engagement with major Britten roles. Alongside this, he has performed roles such as Raimondo, Colline, and Frère Laurent in recent seasons.
Which opera companies has Conall O’Neill worked with?
He has worked with a range of companies and organisations including Lithuanian National Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, British Youth Opera, and Opera Holland Park. These engagements have included both mainstage productions and festival performances, contributing to a varied professional profile across different production scales and repertoire styles.
Has Conall O’Neill performed internationally?
Yes, he has performed across multiple countries in Europe, including Germany, Lithuania, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. His work includes both staged opera productions and concert performances, reflecting a growing international presence.
What roles has Conall O’Neill performed?
His performed roles include Bottom and Theseus (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Raimondo (Lucia di Lammermoor), Colline (La bohème), Alidoro (La Cenerentola), Frère Laurent (Roméo et Juliette), Bartolo (Le nozze di Figaro), and Davenaut (Der Vampyr), among others. He has also performed roles such as Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), Badger and Priest (The Cunning Little Vixen), and Ford (Sir John in Love), demonstrating a broad and versatile repertoire.
Where did Conall O’Neill train?
He studied at the Royal College of Music in London, where he completed both a Master’s in Performance and a Bachelor’s in Music (Hons). During his time there, he was supported by multiple scholarships, including the Herbert Howells & Thomas Fielden Scholarships, the Johnson Scholarship, and the Pauline Hartley Award. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Imperial College London.
Has Conall O’Neill worked with notable artists or conductors?
He has participated in masterclasses and coaching with a range of internationally recognised artists, including Sir Thomas Allen, Gregory Kunde, Ernesto Palacio, Ermonela Jaho, Brindley Sherratt, and Matthew Rose. These experiences have contributed to his artistic development across a range of stylistic traditions.
What awards or notable productions has Conall O’Neill been part of?
He was part of an Offies Award-winning ensemble production of The Cunning Little Vixen in London. This production was recognised for its ensemble work and reflects his involvement in critically acknowledged projects.
Does Conall O’Neill perform in Germany?
Yes, he is based in Hannover and works within the German theatre and opera landscape, while also maintaining engagements across Europe. His location allows him to work flexibly across different countries and production systems.
What type of bass roles does Conall O’Neill specialise in?
He works primarily within lyric and character bass repertoire, with a particular affinity for Mozart, Britten, and bel canto roles. His repertoire reflects a balance between vocally lyrical parts and more character-driven roles, allowing for both musical and dramatic versatility.
How can I contact Conall O’Neill for bookings or enquiries?
Please use the contact form on this website to make an enquiry. All messages are received directly and responded to as soon as possible.
Conall O'Neill, Bass. Wexford Festival Opera. A scene from a stage play showing a woman in a white dress sitting on a chair, and a priest or religious figure kneeling beside her, holding a small bottle. A floral arrangement in the background.
Conall O'Neill, Bass. Wexford Festival Opera. A scene from a stage play showing a woman in a white dress sitting on a chair, and a priest or religious figure kneeling beside her, holding a small bottle. A floral arrangement in the background.
Three actors performing on stage, with the man on the left wearing a traditional Scottish kilt and white shirt, shouting or singing passionately. The woman on the right has purple hair styled in braids with red ribbons, wearing a white dress with sheer polka-dot sleeves and ruffles, and appears to be distress or crying, with her hand on her ear. The background is a dark brick wall, and another performer can be seen in the background.
Three actors performing on stage, with the man on the left wearing a traditional Scottish kilt and white shirt, shouting or singing passionately. The woman on the right has purple hair styled in braids with red ribbons, wearing a white dress with sheer polka-dot sleeves and ruffles, and appears to be distress or crying, with her hand on her ear. The background is a dark brick wall, and another performer can be seen in the background.