Richard James Belshaw was born in Wigan, Lancashire. His passion for music began at a young age and had the great opportunity to sing in the majority of Anglican Cathedrals in England and Wales between the ages of 11 & 22. Richard also had a great interest in maths and science leading to further studies at University. He was awarded a degree in Chemistry from The University of Durham in 2004.
After brief period of work Richard decided to follow his first passion and pursue a career as an Opera singer, attending the Royal Northern College of Music between 2006-10. Richard has had the privilege to study with Peter Wilson (2006-10) and Nicholas Sales (2010-14).
Recent roles include; Carlo VII (Giovanna D’arco) for Hashtag Opera Co, Tamino (cover) & first armed man (Die Zauberflöte) for Young Opera Venture, Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermore) Opera Seria, Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and The Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto) for Heritage Opera, Alfredo (La Traviata), Riccardo (Un Ballo in Maschera) and Nemorino (L’elisir d’amore) for Preston Opera as well as covering Rodolfo (La Bohème) and Don José (Carmen) for Heritage Opera. Richard has also been a member of the Opera Holland Park Chorus for the last three seasons and appeared at the Iford festival with Opera Della Luna for the first time last summer.