Matthew Best

Best began his career as a bass, singing at Covent Garden and at other leading operatic venues throughout the world. Begninning in the mid-'80s, he turned increasingly toward conducting and recording many choral/orchestral and operatic works for Hyperion Records with his ensembles, the Corydon Singers and Corydon Orchestra. Over the years, his singing range changed as well, placing him in the category of bass-baritone and including roles such as Scarpia and Amfortas. Best was also known as an educator at the Royal Northern College of Music. He died on May 10, 2025, aged 68.