Wherever he goes in the world, opera star Sir Thomas Allen finds it impossible to escape his roots in the North-East, he tells Viv Hardwick.

AS the world's best-known baritone, Sir Thomas Allen has acquired god-like status with the rising stars of singing. Yet this son of Seaham also uses his globe-trotting status to further the careers of others and is just as happy to discuss his love of the North-East, Sunderland FC and why he never tries to stay in shape.

Currently travelling between the great opera houses of Germany, the US and Argentina, Sir Thomas has found time to commit himself to directing the first opera, Cosi Fan Tutte, to be staged at the stunning £70m Sage music centre taking shape at Gateshead.

"We'll be starting rehearsals around the middle of June and we'll have five full working days with the stage before we stage three or four performances which will mean a lot for us and a great deal for the area," he explains. Then you realise that London-based Sir Thomas is talking about June, 2005.

Thinking years ahead have been part of his life since his remarkable journey to opera stardom began with the Welsh National Opera in 1969 before he became the Royal Opera House's principal baritone in 1972.

The "us" involved in Cosi Fan Tutte is actually the partnership between Sir Thomas and the Samling Foundation from Hexham which, since 1996, has provided masterclass training and performance opportunities for the world's most promising singers. And who wouldn't want to train and sing with Sir Thomas?

"If I can use my voice to bring world class ability to the North rather than see it leave then surely that's a good thing. The only item I don't want to see is the bill for all the water that is consumed because we drink copious amounts," he jokes.

Sir Thomas has selected six Samling students for the Sage which will set new horizons for the organisation, the resident Northern Sinfonia Orchestra and the singer himself - this is only the second time that the performer has directed.

Enthusiasm bubbles as he announces his intention to attend every performance at Gateshead. A special matinee will be aimed at schoolchildren.

"We are working to a budget which means the staging will be more functional than Cecil B De Mille, although I'm glad we've been allowed to mention our opera when details of other opening events are being kept under wraps," Sir Thomas adds. Strangely, his voice is unlikely to be one of the first ones heard at The Sage because he claims he will be elsewhere in the world this winter when the building is set to open.

His next British goal is an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall's Last Night Of The Proms in September, which will also celebrate Sir Thomas's 60th birthday.

The man who was knighted in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list, laughs about the prospect of growing older and says: "I'm actually 25 going on 60. I think I'm singing as well as I've ever done, but I do have a confession to make. While others go for a six-mile run every morning, I don't actually do anything to stay in shape. When I was on stage recently in Salzburg I discovered the rest of the singers went to the gym, skiing, jogging or did very impressive work-outs with weights. Yet after all this training and exercise they still seemed out of breath. The most I do is go for a walk and play a little golf."

Like most natural talents, Sir Thomas was torn between becoming a doctor, a singer or a professional golfer when he attended Sunderland's Ryhope Grammar School. Being awarded a place at the Royal College of Music at the age of 19 was the deciding factor, but golf remains a family passion - his son Stephen is a professional based in Bedfordshire.

Still a member of Dawdon Parish Church choir, which he joined at the age of nine, Sir Thomas feels that it is the North-East spirit which constantly draws him back to the region.

"Wherever I go on the highways and byways around the world I cannot escape the North-East. When I was in Salzburg I discovered the piano tuner was from Sunderland and we caught up on old times and polished up our accents.

"When I was in Buenos Aires I was asked to address the Newcastle Society out there. Imagine there being a Geordie Society in Argentina? You don't have a Kent or Surrey society but there is a North-East England group, which is why the region stays in your blood."

Careerwise, he doesn't feel there are any challenging singing roles still to explore but intends to continue "enjoying opportunities to perform rather than resting on my laurels. I might want to sing Don Giovanni (a role he has made his own) as an older character".

Wherever he is, the singer follows avidly the fortunes of Sunderland FC. "I was in the air when Sunderland were playing Millwall in the FA Cup semi-final so I only managed to watch the last few minutes, but I thought they played well. It's not been easy following Sunderland since 1973, but my son is a more fervent supporter than I am. He followed Liverpool for a while before he saw the error of his ways."

Before flying out to the US, Sir Thomas leads his latest masterclass in a concert and he admits: "Wouldn't the North-East be a sorrier place if I couldn't come here to work with six creative young singers and just six of the many who want to come?"

* Cosi Fan Tutte, July 7-9, 2005.

Published: 04/05/2004