Bruno Caproni began his vocal studies privately in Belfast with lessons from  James Shaw a well known and respected local singer and teacher. After taking first prize in many regional competitions as well as best male vocalist in the 1983 national Golden Voice of Ireland Competition he decided to pursue singing full time. Sorry to leave Shaw but with his encouragement he needed to embark on the next step. A successful audition at the Royal Northern College of Music meant a transfer to Manchester where he lived and studied for the next five years. Fate played a golden hand in the choice of singing teacher when he was fortunate to be placed with the legendary Frederic Cox. Fortunate also as Cox, already in his late 70´s, had not had a first year student in five years and indeed Bruno Caproni became his last pupil. Whilst at college he won the The Vaughan Williams/Frederic Cox Award for Singing and the Ricordi Prize for Opera following his performance in the title role of Verdi`s Rigoletto. This was mounted especially for him at the college in his final year and has been the role most associated with his career having sung it more than 300 times. A year at the National Opera Studio followed with sponsorship from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, English National Opera and the Friends of Covent Garden. It was during this year he made his debut at Covent Garden and shortly after became a company Junior Principal. Upon advice and help from Covent Garden’s Peter Katona in order to gain experience in larger roles he moved to Germany after being offered a contract at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. Five wonderful years at Darmstadt followed during which time he guested in the theatres of Osnabrück, Kiel, Wiesbaden, Braunschweig and Karlsruhe. This was followed by a move to the opera house in Cologne where he remained for thirteen years.