AN OPERA singer will make history when he tackles one of the great leading roles – at the age of 80.

Jon Andrew, of Bournemouth, believes he will be the oldest person to sing the part of Otello at a charity performance next month.

Jon had an acclaimed international career in opera and first played the title role in Verdi’s opera 40 years ago.

He went on to sing the role in three languages – Italian, English and German.

“It’s one of the most demanding roles. It’s one of the most feared roles in the world,” he said.

Jon was aiming to become the oldest person to sing Otello in 2009, at the age of 77, but that production had to be cancelled.

Now he is to perform the whole role at a charity concert at Blackheath Halls in London.

“I’ve got a lot of hard work between now and October 19. For me, it’s mainly a physical thing. I’ve got to pretend I’m 40 years of age,” he said.

“It’s very, very demanding.”

Jon’s singing career saw him perform at some of the great opera houses, from the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden to La Scala. He counted among his friends Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

He was perhaps best known for his Wagnerian roles – playing both Siegfried and Siegmund in the Ring cycle – but sang many of the great parts in Verdi as well.

For the past 15 years, New Zealand-born Jon has been a voice coach in Bournemouth. His pupils have included soprano Kate Royal, tenor David Habbin and Earl Carpenter, the longest-running star of Phantom of the Opera in London.

His charity performances under the Silhouette Opera banner have raised more than £25,000. At the age of 73, he was the oldest person to take part in the Anthony Nolan Trust’s Castaway challenge on a Poole island, and he completed a 13-day cycle trek from Land’s End to John O’Groats at 75. He is currently planning a 12-hour non-stop cycle ride.

He keeps his voice strong with the help of a fitness regime which includes regular sessions in the gym and swimming.

He says of his concert: “If people say ‘Good lord, the voice is just as good as ever’, I’ll be delighted.”

  • The charity concert of Otello is on Friday October 19, 7pm, at Blackheath Halls, 23 Lee Road, Blackheath, London SE3. Tickets cost £15 and all proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK, Starlight Children’s Charity, Help for Heroes and Julia’s House and are available from the box office by telephoning 0208 463 0100.