Alfie Boe

Born Alfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe on September 29, 1973 in Blackpool, Lancashire, UK, he is an English singer and actor, best known for his work in musical theatre and his musical albums, on which he mixes classical music, show tunes, and popular music. He was born as the youngest of nine children and named after the Italian name of Pope John XXII. At 17, while he was working as a car mechanic at the TVR factory in Bispham, his singing was overheard by a client with connections to the music business who suggested Boe should audition for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in London. After a successful audition he moved to London and studied singing at the Royal College of Music, the National Opera Studio, and the Royal Opera House. In 2002 he got a leading role in a Broadway production of "La Boheme", appeared on the cast album for the production, and a year later, along with the other leads, received a Tony Honors Award. In 2006 he released his first solo album, "Classic FM Presents Alfie