Background
Clarke was born in Greenwich, London and is one of five children.
Clarke was born in Greenwich, London and is one of five children.
He sang as a boy treble in the choir of Street George"s Cathedral, Southwark and attended Dulwich College between 1989 and 1996.
In May 2014, he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his services and contributions to the music industry. Hailed by Gramophone as a “singer to be watched”, Rodney Earl Clarke is recognised for his versatility ranging from Mozart to Max Richter. He has performed the baritone roles in all the Da Ponte/Mozart operas, appeared in Jude Kelly’s award-winning production of Bernstein"s On the Town, featured in Kenneth Branagh"s epic film version of Mozart"s The Magic Flute, performed in Sondheim’s 80th Birthday Celebration Prom, featured in the series Hidden Talent on Channel 4, appeared with the John Wilson Orchestra in the British Broadcasting Corporation Prom The Broadway Sound, performed the roles of the Ferryman, Elder Son and Azarias in a United Kingdom/Russia tour of Britten"s Church Parables under the direction of Frederic Wake-Walker and Roger Vignoles, debuted with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performing the role of Jake in Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle, starred in Raymond Gubbay"s popular show Crazy for Gershwin and recently appeared as Crown in Porgy & Bess under the direction of John Doyle with the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen.Later in 2014 he will be joining the British Broadcasting Corporation’s team of television presenters in this year’s Proms alongside writer and broadcaster Suzy Klein, at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Rodney performs regularly with major orchestras and conductors with repertoire including Bernstein"s Mass with London Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, title role in Porgy and Bess with the Orchestra of Accademia di Santa Cecilia Rome under Wayne Marshall and Jake in Porgy & Bess with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
Other highlights include the premier of One Sun One World by Peter Rose and Anne Conlon at the Royal Albert Hall, Polyphemus in Acis & Galatea in the British Broadcasting Corporation"s documentary of The Birth of British Music: Handel and Purcell series, a Wigmore Hall debut with a recital of songs from Music To a Distant Drum by Kenneth Hesketh with Ensemble 10/10, Vaughan Williams Seranade to Music at Queen Elizabeth Hall under the baton of John Wilson, Bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah alongside Dame Emma Kirkby in Trondheim, Norway and appeared in Max Richter"s unique new chamber opera SUM at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden directed by Wayne McGregor.