MUSIC came second nature to Michael John Pearson, writes DAVID HODGKINSON.

But singing came quite by chance.

Now the bass-baritone is at the heart of British opera. And later this month he will be returning to his roots.

Michael, 30, will play Reinmar von Zweter in Opera North's new production of "Tannhauser" at Manchester's Palace Theatre (June 24/28).

It's all a far cry from growing up in Tyldesley, from formative years at the Holy Family RL School in Boothstown and from teenage years at St Mary's RC High.

And it's all a far cry from his Sixth Form plans to take a degree course in chemical engineering.

Everything changed one afternoon at school as Michael (left) smoothly sang a number written by other students, accompanying himself on guitar.

Music teacher Robert Alderson overheard his tuneful ditty - and a star was born.

He switched from Chem Eng at Bradford to study at the Royal Northern College of Music where his roles included Monterone in "Rigoletto", Petrovic in "From The House of The Dead" the lead in "The Marriage of Figaro".

After graduating Michael took a job in the chorus with the Glyndebourne Touring Opera, winning in 1993 their Esso Singers Award.

He has since performed through the UK with various opera companies, linking with another St Mary's Old Boy, David Ellis, in "Don Giovanni" for Opera 80.

"My voice has chosen my career for me," said Michael. "I had no thoughts about the theatre and featured in only two productions at St Mary's - a play "The Italian Straw Hat" and, later, a musical "Tongues of Fire".

"It all changed the day I played guitar and sang a song I now can't remember."

And the future? "Perhaps I should do a couple of years in Germany," said Michael. "But I have to bide my time. At 30 my voice is still a baby!"

Meanwhile, proud parents John and Margaret, who still live in Treen Road, Tyldesley, regularly watch their son at shows through the country. "They sometime come to the same opera two and three times," said Michael.

"I know they are there. I can hear them enthusiastically clapping!"

The concert halls of the world now wait for a young man for whom music was born in a quiet corner of the common room at St Mary's.

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