Anthems, agency and arias: baritone Davone Tines on rewriting his role and the rules

"In performance, Davone Tines is electrifying. In the first concert of the US bass-baritone's 2025-26 residency at London's Barbican Centre, he appeared at the back of the auditorium and then slowly descended towards the stage, spotlit and subtly miked. His unaccompanied voice fractured into stentorian booms, spat-out consonants and the violent crackle of mouth noises. This, unmistakably, was the musician whom the New Yorker announced back in 2021 was changing what it means to be a classical singer."

"Since then, Tines has been named Musical America's vocalist of the year, he has won a 2024 Chanel next prize for international contemporary artists who are redefining their disciplines. And he was awarded the 2025 Harvard arts medal for distinguished alumni of the Ivy League university who have demonstrated achievement in the arts. Recent winners of the latter include architect Frank Gehry and novelist Margaret Atwood. Unlike those cultural figureheads, Tines is not yet 40."

"Davone Tines may have the voice of an opera singer, but he talks like a philosopher. Other singers win major awards, of course, and others explore the technical and aesthetic limits of what is conventionally recognised as singing. But few in classical music are as openly determined to range freely across genres and professional activities or as acutely aware of their own agency. Our video calls are sprinkled with substantial silences as Tines formulates answers delivered in long paragraphs."

Davone Tines delivers electrifying performances that combine operatic vocal power with experimental mouth sounds and theatrical staging. He appeared at the back of London's Barbican and descended spotlit toward the stage, his unaccompanied voice fracturing into stentorian booms, spat-out consonants and violent crackles. The New Yorker named him as changing what it means to be a classical singer. He has been named Musical America's vocalist of the year, won the 2024 Chanel next prize, and received the 2025 Harvard arts medal. He is under 40, intentionally crosses genres, pursues varied professional activities, and speaks with philosophical, densely argued thought.

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