Born in Colchester, Robert studied at the University of Sheffield and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before embarking on a solo career, both on the opera stage and concert platform.

In 2003 he was awarded the Erich Vietheer Memorial Award at Glyndebourne and subsequently performed Marcello in Puccini's La Bohème, Count (Le Nozze di Figaro), Mr Gedge (Albert Herring) and Falke in Strauss' Die Fledermaus on the Festival Tour. Roles elsewhere include the title role in Rigoletto; Verrina, in the critically acclaimed British première of Lalo’s opera Fiesque; the title role in Le Nozze di Figaro, Demetrius in Britten's A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Papageno in The Magic Flute and Kuligin in Janáček's Katya Kabanova for English Touring Opera and Greek Captain in Berlioz' Les Troyens in the Gramophone Award-winning production at the Châtelet Theatre, Paris.

Robert has sung under the baton of such distinguished conductors as Simon Rattle, Vladimir Jurowski, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Mark Elder, Richard Hickox, Emanuelle Haim and Edward Gardner. With a wide concert repertoire, performances include the Bach B minor Mass; Monteverdi Vespers in St Mark’s, Venice; Handel Messiah, Orff Carmina Burana; Mendelssohn Elijah; Elgar The Kingdom; Brahms Requiem; Bach St Matthew and St John Passions; Mozart Mass in C minor and Requiem; Rossini Petite Messe solennelle and Haydn Seasons and Creation (recorded live for ORF Alte Musik).