John Allison

Coach

Biography

John Allison is Editor of Opera with Opera News and music critic. He was born in South Africa and completed his PhD degree while playing the piano and working as assistant organist at Cape Town cathedral. Since moving to London in 1989 he has written for newspapers, magazines and academic journals around the world, authored books and served on the juries of many international competitions; in 2025 he will once again chair the jury of the International Stanisław Moniuszko Vocal Competition in Warsaw. He co-founded the International Opera Awards in 2013. He has held positions as music critic on The Sunday Telegraph and The Times.

 

Editor of Opera with Opera News and a music critic, John Allison has written for newspapers, magazines and academic journals around the world, authored books and served on the juries of many international competitions. He co-founded the International Opera Awards in 2013.