Jonathan Antoine - The Eisteddfod

Yes, I know I said I wouldn’t be posting again (with the exception of updating the Events page), but sometimes video pops up on the internet and needs to be shared with the whole world.

Most of Jonathan’s fans know he was performing at the Eisteddfod in Wales last week and someone has kindly posted this on YouTube.

Thanks to the owner, Linda Wellington, for managing to produce such a high quality film.

Now, sit back, relax and give your soul a treat! Tweet

Happy Birthday!

My dream would be to post a video with Jonathan singing Happy Birthday, but that’s not going to happen, so the graphic will have to do.

It’s a year since I started this blog and to date I’ve published 157 posts about ‘our boy’ and his achievements. How time flies.

I want to say a big thank you to the thousands of you who have visited in the past 12 months.  Also, I’d like to give a big thank you to the many Fantoines who have given their permission to use their fabulous photographs, videos and creative works of art. Their input to posts is invaluable. Thank you each and every one of you. There are too many to name individually (that’s my excuse because I have a dreadful memory and I may cause offence if I leave someone out).  

Quite a few people have asked who is involved in writing the blog and I have had to admit it’s a ‘one-man-band’. Me.

My online pseudonym is Subrosa although I use JonathanFan to post here.  Don’t ask me why I didn’t use Subrosa because I’ve no sensible answer! It’s not easy to remember so far back (ageing has its negatives), but I possibly thought JonathanFan was more appropriate to this particular blog.

It was my idea to have a source, outwith Facebook and Twitter, for anyone who wanted information about the fantastic tenor Jonathan Antoine.  There was very little online about Jonathan a year ago and I thought it important to boost his online presence because, as most of you know, Facebook and Twitter are only a small percentage of the internet experience.  

That was then. What a difference a year makes doesn’t it?  Jonathan has come into his own and when anyone googles his name they see up-to-date images and articles about his ongoing achievements.  Wonderful isn’t it?

Note: May I reiterate that this blog is not associated in any way whatsoever with Jonathan, his family, Sony (his record label) or his management. It is run by me for his worldwide fans and the opinions expressed are my own. The comments - always greatly appreciated - are yours.



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Covent Garden (video)

Thanks to Fantoine Pam Rose for this video of Jonathan at his Balcony Show in Covent Garden last Monday 13 October - Tenore release day. Tweet

Jonathan’s Interview on BBC Scotland (audio)

BBC Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped Jamie McDougall interviewing Jonathan earlier this evening.

Many thanks to Matt McCauley who kindly recorded it. Tweet

Interview BBC Radio Scotland Tuesday Evening

Image by kind permission of Fantoine Lin Gee

It’s always good to be rewarded isn’t it? 

For months I’ve been emailing Scotland’s radio stations about Jonathan but none has a programme similar to the wonderful Chris Needs at BBC Radio Wales.

However, undaunted - well most of the time - I’m reliably informed by the BBC that tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 8.05pm, the BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped presenter Jamie McDougall, will be interviewing Jonathan and playing a track from Tenore.

This weekly programme lasts for nearly 2 hours, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it while you wait for Jonathan’s interview.  Please tune in by your various methods.  If some of you overseas would like to put your ‘method’ and the link in comments that would be a great help to those who haven’t attempted listening to a radio station outside their own country.  Thanks.

Now all I need is for a few more of Scotland’s radio stations to recognise exceptional talent when they hear it.  It will happen, but we’re slow up here.

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Newcastle Discovering Jonathan Antoine (video)

This one is courtesy of Gillian.  Dare I say the 60s words ‘ it’s smashing’?  Rather like his debut CD will be - but we all know that don’t we?

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Jonathan Antoine - The Journey So Far

As Porthcawl in Wales is invaded by Fantoines this weekend for Chris Needs’ Charity Concert, in which Jonathan is singing, I’m very aware many are unable to attend.

Make a cup of something, settle in a comfy chair and watch this marvellous video produced by the very creative Fantoine Debby Beale Lote.  It’s a true labour of love to put together such a video and endless patience is also required.

Thank you so much Debby, I’m sure I speak on behalf of all Fantoines when I say it’s a beautiful tribute to our Tenore.  

As Tana Knauss says in the Youtube comments ‘Absolutely incredible’ and much appreciated.

There will be photos of this exciting event in Porthcawl and I will keep you up to date as quickly as possible. Tweet

The Secret’s Out!

For weeks now Fantoines have been begging Jonathan to disclose the title of his album and yesterday was the day.

Some wonderful artwork has appeared on Facebook.  The above video was posted on Jonathan’s page by Sue Winspear (not Sue Tiffin the brilliant photographer).

The above was posted by Lin Gee. Fantoines will now be thinking of sweatshirts or hoodies like this because it will certainly be colder on 13 October.

This one (above) was posted by Bea Gee.

Sue Tiffin’s contribution would make a superb album cover.  Wonderful, thanks Sue.

So many talented Fantoines have contributed and I’ll try to bring you more soon. Jonathan’s having a busy week so we’ll see why no doubt.

Have you worked out the album’s name yet? You’re right - it’s TENORE!!  Perfect. Simple. Honest.

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The Amazing Jonathan Antoine

Compiled and produced by the lovely Sonya. Tweet

Bring Him Home - close up

Earlier this week Jonathan shared the above video on Facebook.  It was taken by Hannah and sent to him.

Seeing his face when singing always makes a song just that little bit more emotional for us. 

Sony Masterworks ought to consider a DVD of his next concert.  It would sell like hotcakes.  Doesn’t have to be the whole concert, we’d be happy with excerpts if necessary wouldn’t we? Tweet

Wakey! Wakey! Last Night’s Performance - Part One!

Last night Jonathan returned to his old school, West Hatch High School, in Essex, to sing for the very important birthday of his old music teacher Jenny Ewington. The performance was in a local church.

This is a recording of one of his two solos.  I’m hoping a recording has been made of his second solo.

He tweeted this prior to posting the video:

Good singing without a microphone too!  you know I always liked it that way - well I'm sure I told you before!! This was at the end of my second song - one that's quite special to me, and Jenny - I wonder if any of you will guess it? xx
I hope you enjoy your Monday morning music from our super star.

Don’t forget to let your friends know about Jonathan’s CD release please (link in the right hand column).

Part Two will follow shortly.  What do you think it will be? Tweet

Updated - Events Page

Isn’t this a super photo?  It was taken by Jonathan’s sister Charlotte as he left London’s Natural History Museum the other week.

I’ve updated the events page with this event and also his private event is Sitges, Spain last week.  Hope you like having a kind of ‘diary’ of his performances.

To see the events page click on the link along the top bar.


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Update on Spanish Event 27 June 2014

The above is a short clip taken by Tara (Jonathan’s hairdresser) who attended the private event in Sitges last Wednesday evening.

McDonald Europe tweeted the above and the Facebook page of the Ray Crock Awards Europe posted the photograph below.

Tara, when posting the video clip on Jonathan’s Facebook page said ‘Truly amazing as always’.  Nobody could disagree!

Please remember, all images can be enlarged by clicking on them.


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Another Beautiful Performance

Last night Jonathan performed at London’s Natural History Museum, along with Lucy Kay, at the One For The Boys Fashion Ball.  

The host, Samuel L Jackson, specifically requested Jonathan’s rendition of one of his favourite songs he performed it beautifully (I hear on the grapevine).

Doesn’t he look content?  Now he’s a solo artiste he is able to pick and choose his singing partners and I’m sure we will have many, many hours of listening pleasure in the years to come. 

I think he returns to recording this week but I’ll keep you all updated.  Tweet

Montage by Sonya

click to enlarge

No words needed but in case some of you don’t know Sonya is one of the many Fantoines who is very talented - as you can see.  

Lovely graphic. Tweet

Meet the Latest Member of the Antoine Family

Last week the Antoine family lost  their beloved elderly cat Crystal Tips.  It’s hard when a family pet dies even though they know it is unwell.  Crystal Tips became unwell when Jonathan was touring with Russell Watson, but she recovered enough to hold on for a few weeks.

However, Sony very kindly stepped into the breach after they realised how upset Jonathan was about Crystal Tips and took him to Battersea. It was a complete surprise for him as you can see by the photo (left).

Looks quite excited doesn’t he?

So who have we here?

Let me introduce you to Willow, the latest member of the Antoine family.

From the look on Jonathan’s face it was love at first sight!  This adorable furry ball doesn’t know how lucky she is does she?  

I know little about cats but it seems it will take a little time for Willow to be accepted by the other two who are both ten years old. There will be a bit of hierarchy play in the Antoine home for a few weeks no doubt.

The newest Fantoine

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The Recording Continues

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As most followers of this astonishing young man will know, in the past few weeks he has been rehearsing or recording his first solo album (link to preorder at Amazon UK).

Yesterday’s Facebook post included the above image accompanied by the words:

I thought you may all like to see where I have been today and yesterday! Great acoustics hey? 

Now many of us are wondering just what he was singing and lots of guessing has been going on in Facebook and also Twitter.  The consensus is that whatever the song is it will be perfect.  Of course he may be recording more than one in such a splendid setting and he may (or may not) be accompanied by the organ.

Isn’t it great to be part of Jonathan’s journey towards being the best tenor voice England has produced for generations?

Editor’s note: To those who want to know if he’s wearing shoes - I have it on good authority that in the photograph he’s without shoes but has kept his socks on!   Tweet

Recording Has Begun!

Yes, I know I said in the previous post that I was happy to be redundant now that Sony has set up a website for Jonathan, but it seems it will be some time until it is fully developed.  So, by popular request, I’ve been asked to continue this blog until Sony gets round to providing us with a site worthy of Jonathan’s exceptional talent.  Thank you for the many emails I received about my voluntary redundancy.  I’ve done my best to answer everyone, but please let me know if I’ve not acknowledged yours.

Now back to the subject of this blog - Jonathan!  He tweeted the above photo yesterday (Thursday).  It was taken while he was enroute to Sony’s recording studios to start recording his album.  So good to see him happy isn’t it?

156 days to go now. I’m sure some of us, for the first time in our lives, are wishing time would fly! Tweet

Jonathan - A Celebration from his Devoted Fans

Created by the wonderfully talented Sonya. Many thanks Sonya. Tweet

A Selfie

This is the photograph which had Twitter all twittering  last week.  It’s seldom Jonathan posts ‘selfies’ but I thought, for those of you who don’t use Twitter, you would like to see it.

He’s gearing up for his tour with Russell Watson, but it’s good to know he’s making time for relaxation too. Tweet