Tony Hougham is Principal Double Bass of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, a position he has held since 1986 following early appointments at English National Opera and as Sub-Principal at the ROH. He began playing the double bass at the age of 12 and went on to study at Trinity College of Music with Frederick Wigston, where he was awarded both the John Walton Prize for double bass and the Vera Kantrovitch Prize for solo strings.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Tony has appeared as Guest Principal with many of the UK’s leading orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Alongside his orchestral work, Tony is a sought-after chamber musician and recording artist, with a wide-ranging discography spanning major symphonic works and opera repertoire. He is also Professor of Double Bass at the Royal College of Music in London, known for his inspiring teaching and generous mentorship.