Opera singers in Oz

superdupersoprano · 04-06-2008, 08:39 PM

My family may be about to move to Sydney, Australia due to a job opportunity for my husband. I feel excited at the prospect but also quite terrified of leaving my life here behind. I am also concerned that I may not be able to find work as a classical singer as I am told the job market on that front is pretty much closed to foreigners. On the positive side, I believe it would be a great opportunity for my children to grow up in a safer and better country and also a great adventure for us all. Anyone with knowledge in this area please advise. Thanks, Linda xx

newnico · 05-06-2008, 11:17 AM

Last year I met an Aussie opera-singer in London who had moved about 10 years ago from Adelaide because there was no-one who could even teach her at the level she'd reached. Since then she's been living in the UK and travels all over the place for work when she gets it. This gave me the impression that it is rather a small potential audience here in Oz, maybe not as developed as in Europe. Also, do you find enough work at present in the UK? And would you be able to travel all over the world, as opera-singers do seem to do anyway?

I hope you get some useful feedback from people who know more about it...I'm just commenting off the top of my head, remembering my conversation with this singer. Good luck.

superdupersoprano · 05-06-2008, 01:40 PM

Just out of interest, are you an ex-pat and how have you settled into life over there?

Thanks, Linda

Quoll · 05-06-2008, 09:39 PM

Have to agree with Newnico - I have a couple of friends whose kids are classical singers - one has done his training in London and the other went to the Sydney Con for her training. They are both now in Europe because that is where the opportunities are. Another opera singing friend of a friend spent some time training in London and came back to Aus for a Masters but, having finished it, is now on her way back to London because the opportunities there are so much better. So even for born and bred Aussies the opportunities just arent there for them. There is a fair bit of "community participation" stuff so lots of choirs and amateur performances but a pretty shallow pool for professionals. We do have the Opera House but we arent crash hot on Opera!