Famous northeastern musicians and performers There are many northeastern people who have promoted their own musical interests whether it be through performance or composition. These are just two local names from the world of music .... From the world of opera there is Sir Thomas Allen who was born in Seaham in 1944. He attended Ryhope Grammar School and in 1964 he won a place at the Royal College of Music where he studied with Hervey Alan for four years, specialising in oratorio. In his final term he made his operatic stage debut as the baritone lead in the Royal College of Music Opera School production of Arthur Benjamin's opera Prima Donna. Since then he has performed all over the world. In 1989, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). In 1999, he was knighted. Both awards were for his services to opera. In 1998 he was named a member of the Royal Opera's Opera Advisory Board, the first time a singer had been given such an appointment. On 11 October 2011 Allen was appointed Chancellor of Durham University by the University's Convocation, to serve from 1 January 2012 in succession to Bill Bryson. His first concert with the university took place in Durham Cathedral on 1 June 2013, appearing alongside over 100 student performers. On 27 January 2012, Allen marked his 40th anniversary at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, singing the role of Don Alfonso in CosĂŹ fan tutte. In 2015, he sang the role of Baron Zeta in the Metropolitan Opera's production of Franz LehĂĄr's operetta The Merry Widow. What a great achievement! Gordon Sumner .... better known as Sting, was born in Wallsend in 1951 and is a musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, activist, actor and philanthropist. He was the principal songwriter, lead singer, and bass guitarist for the new wave rock band The Police from 1977 to 1984, before beginning a solo career.
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