Michael Hickman is a versatile baritone, regularly performing as a soloist and ensemble singer across the UK and in Europe. His repertoire ranges from the mediaeval period right through to contemporary music, and he frequently works with some of the foremost ensembles, conductors and composers of the present day. Michael’s recent performances include European appearances at the Salzburger Festspiele, Donaueschingen Musiktage and Festival de La Chaise-Dieu, and in the UK at the Wigmore Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Southwark Cathedral and Romsey Abbey. Later in 2026 Michael will join EXAUDI and violist Tabea Zimmermann in Strasbourg for a second performance of Georges Aperghis Tell Tales.

 

As a soloist Michael appeared in recital at the Wigmore Hall in 2025 with pianist Iestyn Evans, in a programme of English Song. Other recent highlights include performances of Handel Messiah in Halifax Minster and Southwell Minster, Bach St John Passion at Westminster Cathedral and Temple Church, Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem at Romsey Abbey, Duruflé Requiem at Temple Church, and Fauré Requiem at Southwark Cathedral.

 

Michael is a sought-after ensemble singer. He is a member of Westminster Cathedral Choir, and has performed with many of the leading ensembles in the UK, including EXAUDI, Dunedin Consort, BBC Singers, Stile Antico, The English Concert, The Academy of Ancient Music, and Opus Anglicanum. He has also worked in Europe with Chamber Choir Ireland and Cantando Admont.

 

In contemporary music, Michael has performed and recorded music by many leading composers at important festivals in the UK and in Europe. In July 2026 Michael performed Klaus Huber Miserere Hominibus with Cantando Admont and PHACE at the Salzburger Festspiele. He gave the world premiere of Georges Aperghis Tell Tales at Donaueschingen Musiktage in October 2025 with violist Tabea Zimmermann, singing live on SWR radio, and has sung Michael Finnissy Cipriano at Snape Maltings (Aldeburgh Festival), and Mark Simpson The Immortal with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. He also gave the world premiere of Catherine Lamb color residua with Explore Ensemble at the Spitalfields Festival, which was recorded on Explore Ensemble’s disc parallaxis forma (Another Timbre). Michael has sung on several EXAUDI recordings of contemporary works, with music by composers including Fumio Yasuda Ekecheiria (Winter & Winter) and Christopher Fox Preluding (KAIROS).

 

Michael began his musical life as a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, and studied at the Junior Royal Academy of Music, where he won the Ann Lampard Singing Prize, before going on to read Music at Durham University, where he was a Choral Scholar at Durham Cathedral. Michael then held a post as a Lay Clerk in the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford before moving to London to pursue a freelance singing career. Michael studies singing with Nicholas Powell, and previously learnt with David Barrell for many years. He receives coaching from Elizabeth Marcus.