Hire Richard Stark | Singer in Leighton Buzzard

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From£300

1 hour

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Santa Claus is Coming BSH

Jersey Boys medley

CRS Act2 Bring Him Home

About Richard

Richard's is a versatile singer including Musical Theatre, Classical, Swing, Folk and Popular songs from the 30s to the present day.

Singer

Leighton Buzzard

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Verified profile

This flexible, charismatic, eclectic singer was born in Sunderland. Richard’s musical background began with playing the Cello as well as playing Guitar in a rock band, until the discovery of an Opera album in the Rock section of a record store led him into a career as a Classical and Cabaret singer. He has performed a thousand times at Theatres, Operas, Functions, Music Festivals, Weddings, Corporate Events, and the like. Anything from Concert Halls to The London Hilton Park Lane, Private Parties and Weddings to Glastonbury Festival, Prom in the Park Events and Rugby Stadiums, to audiences from 20 to 20000. Previous engagements include :- Birmingham Symphony Hall The Hurlingham Club Leeds Rhinos and Wasps Rugby Stadiums Headingley Cricket Ground Three Tenors Concert Opera Holland Park Glastonbury Festival Chequers Bimringham NEC London Hilton, Metropole and Lancaster Hotels Post Office Tower Orient Express Birmingham NEC Rhine River Cruises BBC1, Channel 5, Sky TV He is also an established Recording Artist, having sold well over 25000 albums independently. His music has been taken to Australia, Nepal, USA, Canada and all over Europe. He trained at Trinity College of Music, and is fluent in German, has good conversational French and Italian and has also sung in Spanish, Latin, Russian, Czech and Greenlandic.

Richard

4.9 out of 5

7 verified reviews

Satisfaction

4.9

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

4.9

Punctuality

5.0

Richard's Reviews

5 out of 5

Richard was absolutely wonderful. He got the whole room involved and has an amazing voice. The feed back from our guests was all positive and said what a really nice man he was with a beautiful singing voice. Would highly recommend him .

5 out of 5

Richard came to perform in our garden for my mum’s birthday - she has terminal cancer and is very frail having just completed 6 months of chemo. Richard fully appreciated the need to ensure she was able to cope and treated the situation with sensitivity. He brought the West End theatre to my mum now that she is no longer able to go to live theatre and it was an emotional afternoon for all of us seeing how much she enjoyed his performance. Wonderful memories created - thank you Richard

Reply from Richard

2 years ago

Thank you Sally and glad I could be a part of you mother's birthday celebrations. There were times (eg: Grease and Joseph) when I think you and your sisters had lots of fun. Lovely family. Pleasure to sing for you.

5 out of 5

What a wonderful evening, Richard got everyone involved and the feedback we have had, everyone has said what a wonderful evening he made it, got everyone singing along. I would not hesitate to recommend Richard or use hime again, great vocals wonderful range of music and capped of a fantastic evening, we only had a few people I'm sure he would be just as good or even better at a bigger venue

5 out of 5

I booked Richard to sing at my mothers funeral service. As we were not allowed to sing in church ourselves due to Covid restrictions I felt this would bring a little ‘normality’. I could not be happier with this decision. Richard s voice, style and performance brought something dignified and uplifting to the celebration of her life. Everyone present has paid compliments. His voice was perfect fit our chosen songs. Richard is a true professional who I am sure can bring something special to any occasion. I can highly recommend him. Thank you

Read all 7 reviews

"The very first Music of the Night event was headlined by this versatile classically trained Opera singer at Sewerby Hall and Gardens. Set in a most enchanting of locations, hundreds of visitors of all ages enjoyed a breathtaking evening performance of popular Opera classics. Even the onset of the rain towards the end of the concert failed to dampen the crowds’ spirit as Richard’s magnificent voice echoed across Bridlington Bay. A night to be remembered by all." Myles Bacon, East Riding Council

"I booked Richard, Andrew and Elizabeth to present 'Classical Cabaret' at the Barrington Theatre, Ferndown without having seen their show before. I need not have worried - very professional with excellent voices and superb musicianship. An excellent show!" Manager, The Barrington Theatre, Ferndown, Hampshire.

Read all 5 reviews

Encore badges

Lightning fast responses

Average response time under 2 hours

10 gigs

Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

8th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Member of the Encore community forum

Richard's Song list

Repertoire :

Absolutely hundreds and hundreds of songs, many bespoke – the list is growing.

Musical Theatre, including :

Lloyd Webber Music of the Night Love Changes Everything Memory Any Dream Will Do Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (Sop) The Phantom of the Opera All I Ask of You (with Soprano)

No Matter What

With One Look

Les Miserables Stars Bring Him Home Empty Chairs at Empty Tables Do You Hear The People Sing Master of the House I Dreamed a Dream (Sop) Castle on a Cloud (Sop)

Hamilton -

You'll Be Back

Dear Theodosia

Early musicals Let’s Face The Music and Dance On The Street Where You Live With a Little Bit of Luck

Supercalifrajilistic Expialidocious

Stranger in Paradise

Grease Medley

Summer Nights Edelweiss Stranger in Paradise Mad Dogs and Englishmen

More Recent Musicals

Thankyou for the Music from Mamma Mia

You'll Be Back from Hamilton Can’t Take My Eyes Off You & Oh What A Night from Jersey Boys We are The Champions from We Will Rock You Always Look on the Bright Side of Life & The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot

Dear Theodosia from Hamilton

You'll Never Walk Alone from Carousel

A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman

Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific

Rat Pack / Swing Jazz / Michael Buble, including :

My Way

Let There Be Love

Let's Face The Music

Fly Me To The Moon

New York, New York

Me & Mrs Jones

Home

Got You Under My Skin Let It Snow Everything Frosty the Snowman Santa Claus is Coming to Town Strangers in the Night Night And Day I Left My Heart in San Francisco

Fly Me To The Moon

Banana Boat Song (Harry Belafonte)

I'm Feeling Good

How D'Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning

Besame Mucho

Everybody Loves Somebody

Sway

Opera, including :

Puccini (Nessun Dorma, Recondita Armonia, Che Gelida Manina)

Verdi (La Donna E Mobile, Di Provenza, Pieta Rispetto Amore, Va Pensiero (Chorus of Hebrew Slaves)) Bizet (Toreador Song, Pearlfishers Duet) Giordano Amor Ti Vieta

Mozart (Non Piu Andrai, Madamina, Der Vogelfanger, La Ci Darem, Der Vogelfanger, La Ci Darem (with Sop), In Diesen Heilgen Hallen, Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen) Operetta (Merry Widow Waltz, Student Prince, You Are My Hearts Delight, I’ll Walk With God, I’m off To Chez Maxim, Can Can ) G&S (The Pirate King, Policeman, Modern Major General, Tit Willow, As Someday It May Happen,) Sacred (Schubert’s Ave Maria, Gounod’s Ave Maria, Caccini’s Ave Maria, Panis Angelicus, Quanta Qualia, Pie Jesu, Cantique de Jean Racine, O Holy Night, Revenge Timotheus Cries, Goodall’s The Lord Is My Shepherd (Theme from Vicar of Dibley))

Lieder Schubert ( Standchen, Die Forelle, An Die Musik, Du Bist Die Ruh Der Erlkonig), Loewe (Tom Der Reimer, Der Nock)

Also Popular songs and ballads Including :

50s - Blue Suede Shoes, Rock Around the Clock, Everyday, Raining in my Heart

60s - Born Free, Yellow Submarine, And I Love Her, Waterloo Sunset, Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, What a Wonderful World, Daydream Believer, I'm A Believer, The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, In The Country, Delilah, It's Not Unusual, Green Green Grass, Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Women, Mighty Quinn, Ruby Tuesday.

70s - Your Song, Candle in the Wind, You've Got a Friend, Always on my Mind, Is This The Way To Amarillo, American Pie, Spirit in the Sky, Easy, Just The Way You Are, The Last Farewell, 2468 Motorway, I Don't Like Mondays, Three Times a Woman, We Are The Champions, Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

80s - True, Stuck on You, All Night Long, Summer of 69, Never Gonna Give You Up, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Karma Chameleon, Vienna, Love Action.

90s - Wonderwall, Drugs Don't Work, Walkaway, Whatever, Fields of Gold, Angels, National Express, I Want You Back for Good, Lifted.

2000/2010s - Coldplay, Somewhere Only We Know, Bedshaped, Rule The World, Viva La Vida, Dakota, Happy, One Day Like This.

One Day Like This – Elbow

Happy – Pharrell

Angels - Robbie Williams

Love Me Tender / You Were Always On My Mind - Elvis Presley

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

Fields of Gold - Sting

Fix You / The Scientist / In My Place - Coldplay

Your Song, Candle in the Wind - Elton John

American Pie – Don McClean

Delilah, It's Not Unusual, Green Green Grass - Tom Jones

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Three Times A Lady, Easy, All Night Long – Lionel Ritchie

From Russia With Love, On Days Like These & Born Free – Matt Monro

Everyday / That'll Be The Day / Raining in my Heart – Buddy Holly

And I Love Her / Yellow Submarine / Yesterday – The Beatles

He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother – The Hollies

International Folksongs, including :

Neapolitan / Italian O Sole Mio Funiculi Funicula Torna a Surriento Volare Core n’Grato Vieni Sul Mar Santa Lucia La Rondine al Nido

Malafemmena

Russian/Ukrainian Dark Eyes (Ochee Chorn’ye) Those Were The Days Kalinka Malinka

Scottish/Burns Nights My Love is Like a Red Red Rose Auld Lang Syne Ae Fond Kiss Loch Lomond Flower of Scotland 500 Miles & Letter From America (The Proclaimers) Irish Jigs/Scottish Reels (with Violinist only) Gay Gordon’s

Irish/St Patricks Danny Boy Fields of Athenrye Isle of Innisfree Sweet Sixteen You Raise Me Up The Irish Rover Dirty Old Town Irish jigs (with Violinist))

Brown Eyed Girl

English / Last Night of Proms Jerusalem Land of Hope and Glory Hippopotamus Old Father Thames Scarborough Fair Gilbert &Sullivan Sea Shanties There’ll Always Be An England White Cliffs of Dover Rose of England English Country Garden

Welsh/St Davids Cwm Rhondda Calon Lan Land of my Fathers

Spanish/Latin American En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor Granada Tu Quieres Volver Cielito Lindo Nella Fantasia La Paloma La Bamba

German/Austrian Schubert (An Die Musik, Standchen, Die Forelle) Karl Loewe (Tom Der Reimer, Der Nock, Edward) Lehar (Merry Widow Waltz, You Are my Hearts Delight, Off To Chez Maxim’s) Wien Stadt Du Meiner Traume Student Prince (Serenade, Drinking Song, I’ll Walk With God)

Also Greek, French folksongs

Rock Opera, including :

Bedshaped (Keane)

Anarchy in the UK (Sex Pistols)

Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)

No Surprises (Radiohead)

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (The Hollies)

Questa o Quella / Whatever You Want (Verdi / Status Quo)

I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)

Fire With Fire (Scissor Sisters)

We Are The Champions (Queen)

Coldplay compilation

Life on Mars (David Bowie)

Original compositions

Bespoke songs.

On request.

Richard's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£250
Up to 1 hour	£300
Up to 2 hours	£325
Up to 3 hours	£375

Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

You're booking me for the Event not for the exact timing of the songs etc.... Once there I'm happy to be flexible.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes I can. Either as background or to dance to. Let me know beforehand if you have any specific genres of music you prefer.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually give myself one hour to set up and sound check, though it often takes less time. This set up time should be before the guests arrive and not before I sing, so I often need to wait around for a couple of hours after setting up.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

Of course you can. If you let me know beforehand I'm happy to add specific songs to my repertoire.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes (mics, PA etc...), up to audience sizes of about 150. For larger audiences I usually find there is a house PA I can use. If not let me know beforehand as I may need to hire some extra PA equipment for the night.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Yes no problem. The requests have been pretty eclectic (from Welsh Hymns to contemporary pop songs or a mixture of both) and sometimes in different languages - my classical training and knowledge of phonetics usually enables me to do this.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My ability to engage with the audience and keep them entertained. Also my ability to offer a number of different styles of music in one performance.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Anything from the very small to the very large - from people's houses in front of 20 to Hotels to Birmingham Symphony Hall to Rugby Stadiums in front of 20,000.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Too many to mention.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I've performed at Birmingham Symphony Hall, Glastonbury Festival, all the Top Hotels in London, The Orient Express, Opera Holland Park, on TV and Radio to name a few.

Musicianship

Genres:

Classical, Jazz, Folk, Classical crossover, Film / TV music, Opera, Musical theatre, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1970s era music, 1960s era music, Traditional English folk, Folk rock, Traditional Irish folk, Traditional Scottish folk, Swing, Acoustic, Vintage, World music, German music, Italian music, Welsh folk, Covers, Scottish music, Contemporary Christian, Traditional church music, Christmas, 1980s era music, Irish rock, Cabaret, Easy listening, Military, 1990s era music, Originals, Pop, Classic rock, Russian music

See all genres

Instruments:

Singer

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Event types:

Private event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event

See all event types

Other skills:

Composer, Producer, Songwriter, Sound technician, Musical comedy, Actor, Singing teaching, MC

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