How a father's love of music took his daughter to the world stage

The profound bond between baritone Christopher Allan and his soprano daughter, Miriam Allan, is rooted in a shared lifelong passion for music. Christopher, who raised his family in Newcastle, Australia, instilled a love for music from an early age. He recalls Miriam as an infant listening to rehearsals under a harpsichord, and her musical journey began with piano lessons at five, quickly revealing her perfect pitch. By 18, Miriam had already performed professionally, a testament to her early talent nurtured by her father's influence. Miriam Allan achieved international acclaim when she performed as a soprano in the small choir accompanying Prince Philip's funeral at Windsor during the COVID-19 lockdowns, an event her father watched with pride from afar. Despite living on opposite sides of the world, their connection remains strong, fueled by their shared musical endeavors. They are now set to embark on a tour performing J.S. Bach's Coffee Cantata, a piece that showcases the composer's lighter side through a humorous narrative about a father's attempts to curb his daughter's coffee consumption. Both father and daughter consider each other their favorite performing partner, underscoring the unique synergy they share on and off the stage.

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Music was always around. I've got photos of Mim [Miriam] in her bassinet underneath the harpsichord while we were rehearsing.