Newcastle University has made British baritone Peter Brathwaite an Honorary Doctor of Music. Brathwaite is an alumnus, having studied Fine Arts and Philosophy at the institution.

Besides his singing career, the polymath vocalist is a visual artist, BBC broadcaster, and writer.

Brathwaite’s 2022-23 opera engagements included appearances at Philharmonie de Paris (debut) as Stubb in “The Outcast” and Melot in Tiago Rodrigues’ “Tristan und Isolde” at Opéra national de Lorraine and Théâtre de Caen. At the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, he co-created and performed in “Insurrection: A Work in Progress.” Brathwaite also sang Britten’s song cycle “Tit for Tat” with Malcolm Martineau at Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh. The baritone is known for his interpretations of contemporary music.

As a visual artist, Brathwaite had a solo exhibition, “Visible Skin: Rediscovering the Renaissance through Black Portraiture,” at King’s College London’s Strand Campus from October 2021 to February 2022.

His latest exhibition, “Rediscovering Black Portraiture,” is at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery ” from April to July 2023. Getty published his book of the same title this past spring.

Brathwaite joined BBC Radio 3 as a Next Generation Voice in 2019 and has been presenting and writing for programs like “Essential Classics” and “Inside Music.”

His writing has been published in both The Guardian and The Independent.

In an official press statement, Brathwaite said, “I feel humbled to receive this prestigious honor in recognition of my work as a singer, artist, writer, and broadcaster.

“The world-class education I received at Newcastle University laid firm foundations and continues to inspire and shape my career today. In acknowledging my contributions, this award also recognizes the many untold stories and lesser-known voices I am committed to platforming.”