Devon was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and educated in London.
Initially Devon studied privately and made his operatic singing debut in the title role of
“Don Giovanni” in concert for the ‘Voices Theatre Co.’ and for whom he also sang the lead
in Mendelssohn's “Elijah”.
Devon later went on to study at Trinity College of Music, firstly under the late Morag Noble and then John Wakefield. At Trinity he appeared as ‘Le Chat Noir’ in “L’enfants et les sortilèges”, the `Compère’ in the British premiere of “Four Saints in 3 Acts” by Virgil Thompson, and was Highly Commended in the Elisabeth Schumann Prize for Lieder adjudicated by Ilse Wolf.
Devon graduated with the Performers Dip TCL with Merit. He later he studied with Iris Dell’Acqua.
Devon has gone on to build a strong and varied body of work which includes not only opera but
Oratorio, Art song, Music Theatre and Jazz.
His work as a soloist has seen him debut roles in several World, European & UK premiere productions and afforded critical acclaim for several of his performances in these and standard repertoire. These include the roles of:
‘Antonio’ in “The Marriage of Figaro” – English Touring Opera.
“..the gardener is a cameo role but Devon Harrison turns it into a comic gem.” Cambridge Arts
Theatre. April 2018
“..and especially Devon Harrison (as a very ’Ackney lad Antonio) keeps the fun bubbling... “
The Times Review of Marriage of Figaro 02/3/2018
“Mark” in “The Silent Twins” - Almeida Opera. * World Premiere
"Devon Harrison is priceless as Mark, Jennifer's tongue-tied pen pal, whose arioso, “I Live in
Wokingham, is a gem..” The Guardian -George Hall -July 2007
‘Paul Robeson’ in - “The Billie Holiday Story".
“..and in particular Devon Harrison, whose tremendous version of Paul Robeson's Ole Man River achieved that rare thing by matching the original" The Bolton News -Andrew Mosley- September 2006
.."Devon Harrison's voice and performance are quite remarkable in the character of sometime (Billie) Holiday lover Paul Robeson." Manchester Music September 2006
Other roles include: Frazier & Jim, “Porgy & Bess” (Pegasus Opera,) “Sweeney Todd” - title role &
Tonio, “I Pagliacci,” (Surrey Opera,) Osmin, “The Abduction from the Seraglio,” Don Alfonso,“
“Cosi fan Tutti,” (Pavilion Opera), Joe, “Showboat” (Raymond Gubbay.) Banquo, “Macbeth.”
Mesphistopheles.“Faust”, Fabrizio, “The Thieving Magpie,” Dr. Miracle “Tales of Hoffmann”
(Midland Opera,) Apollo “Orfeo”, (Kent Opera,) Frank “Die Fledermaus” (Tete- A -Tete,)
Hermann Augustus, “Candide”, (Birmingham Opera,) Cacambo “Candide” (Buxton Opera Festival)
Other firsts include soloist in the European Premiere of “The Gates of Justice” (Cantata for Baritone & Tenor Cantor) by Dave Brubeck.
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