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Ben Thapa

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Ben Thapa
Thapa in 2007
Thapa in 2007
Background information
Birth nameBen Vishala Thapa
Born(1982-03-22)22 March 1982
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Died8 September 2024(2024-09-08) (aged 42)
Genres
OccupationTenor singer
Years active2004–2024

Ben Vishala Thapa (2 March 1982 – 8 September 2024) was an English opera singer, best known as the low tenor in G4 from 2004 to 2018.[1]

Early life and education

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Born in Cambridge on 2 March 1982, Thapa was raised by a single mother from the age of four after his father left, and entered foster care when he was eleven.[2][3][4] It was during this time Thapa started singing lessons and sang in his local church choir, and played the clarinet in an orchestra while at Hills Road Sixth Form College.[5] He studied at Royal Northern College of Music for a year before transferring to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he graduated from in 2004. Thapa graduated from the Wales International Academy of Voice in 2013.[6]

Career

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While completing his course at Guildhall, Thapa auditioned for the first series of The X Factor with his G4 bandmates Jon Ansell, Matt Stiff, and Mike Christie where they reached the final but lost out to Steve Brookstein. Due to their popularity on the show they were soon approached by Sony BMG, and the group released three albums.[7] Thapa had perfect pitch, which ensured the group remained in tune during a capella performances.[1] The group split in 2007 but reunited after a seven-year hiatus for a concert at the Barbican Hall, and announced their 2015 reunion tour.[8] Thapa continued touring and recording with G4 until 2018, when he left G4 to concentrate on his solo opera career.[9] He sang in numerous opera productions, including the Scottish Opera's Kátya Kabanová, Teatru Manoel's La Clemenza di Tito, the Birmingham Opera's Mittwoch aus Licht, Idomeneo at the Buxton Festival and Tristan und Isolde at the Longborough Festival Opera.[9][10][11] Thapa worked with the National Chamber Choir of Ireland,[12][13] released the album Songs of My Childhood,[14] and embarked on a nationwide tour.[15]

Death

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Thapa died on 8 September 2024, at the age of 42 due to kidney failure.[4][16] Prior to his death, Thapa revealed that he had undergone an emergency nephrostomy and was on dialysis.[17] G4 issued a statement, saying, "Words cannot express how we all feel right now. We understand that this will be heartbreaking news for so many others too and we send you our love and support as we all remember the amazing man and memories that he has left behind. Ben has been such a major part of the international singing community and he was a critical part of our journey as a group. Thank you for your love at this difficult time. RIP Ben."[18]

References

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  1. ^ a b "A life on the high Cs; Three years of success with an operatic boy band has left Jonathan Ansell with a taste for success. Emma Pinch reports. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  2. ^ "I was quite big, a foster kid & I loved singing.. 3 reasons why I ended up being bullied; EXCLUSIVE G4'S BEN THAPA TELLS WHY HE BACKS. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  3. ^ "Has he still got the X factor?". Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Ben Thapa, commanding operatic tenor with the buskers G4 who nearly won the original X Factor". The Telegraph.
  5. ^ Dunworth, Liberty. "G4 and 'X Factor' star Ben Thapa dies, aged 42: "A great friend"". NME. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Ben Thapa, commanding operatic tenor with the buskers G4 who nearly won the original X Factor". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  7. ^ "'Bit of a laugh' ended in chart success. - Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  8. ^ Rees, Kate (21 November 2014). "X Factor's class act G4 reuniting for 2015 tour". Walesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Ben Thapa – Genre: Tenor". 9 September 2024.
  10. ^ "X Factor finalists G4 announce death of former member Ben Thapa age 42". Clacton Gazette. 9 September 2024.
  11. ^ McQueen, Craig (5 September 2009). "Former G4 star Ben Thapa on the band's one-night-only reunion". Dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Ben Thapa - Live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Ballet star shows off charity portraits | Bucks Free Press". Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  14. ^ Live, Teesside (8 December 2009). "Talent show tenor Ben Thapa is all heart". Gazettelive.co.uk. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  15. ^ "G4 star Ben Thapa announces solo gig". Digitalspy.com. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  16. ^ Bashforth, Emily (9 September 2024). "X Factor star Ben Thapa dies 'suddenly' aged 42 as band G4 share devastation". Metro. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  17. ^ Kevin E G Perry. "Ben Thapa death: X Factor and G4 star dies aged 42 as group pays tribute to 'great friend'". The Independent.
  18. ^ Paton, Ryan (9 September 2024). "ITV X Factor star Ben Thapa dies aged 42 as G4 bandmates issue heartbreaking tribute". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
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