Allan Watson held the position of Associate Principal Timpani and Tutti Percussion and after almost forty years, he gave his last performance as a permanent member of the Opera Australia Orchestra in May 2024 before retiring from his full-time position. We celebrate and pay tribute to his long and distinguished performance career.
David Clarence holds the position of Principal Timpani in the Opera Australia Orchestra having first joined the Orchestra in 1986. David started his musical studies at the age of eight and attended Sydney Conservatorium High School. Fun fact: The Baz Luhrmann production of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of David’s favourite memories with the orchestra. … Continued
Thomas Dundas holds the position of Tutti Violin in the Opera Australia Orchestra having first joined the Orchestra in 2010. Tom started his musical studies at the age of four, and under the tutelage of Wanda Wilkomirska and Patinka Kopec went on to complete a Bachelor of Music at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Postfraduate Studies … Continued
Antonio Fernandez is a Spanish-born Australian pianist and music director specialising in music for the stage and collaborative practice. He is currently based in Sydney, Australia. Antonio was trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid and, whilst completing his studies, was selected to tour as a member of the National Youth Orchestra of … Continued
Andrew Meisel holds the position of Associate Principal Double Bass in the Opera Australia Orchestra. From the age of fifteen Andrew played bass in school orchestras, jazz ensembles and big bands. In 1993, in his first year of university at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, he successfully auditioned for the position of tutti Double Bass … Continued
Matthew Ockenden holds the position of Associate Principal Bassoon in the Opera Australia Orchestra having first joined the Orchestra in 1993. Matt Started his musical studies at the age of twelve, and under the tutelage of Gordon Skinner and Gustavo Núñez went on to complete a Bachelor of Music at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and … Continued
Richard Rourke graduated with merit from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1988 having studied clarinet with Gabor Reeves and John St George. He spent two years freelancing in London, studying under Margaret Archibald and John McCaw. Since 1992 he has been a permanent member of the Opera Australia Orchestra, performing at the Sydney Opera … Continued
Nigel is an award-winning, internationally renowned fight director, weapon and movement specialist; intimacy co-ordinator, stunt performer and actor with expertise in classical, historical and adaptive swordplay, firearms, edged weapon use, kinaesthetic movement processes and combat systems. In theatre, opera and ballet, Nigel works as a fight director and choreographer with companies such as The Metropolitan Opera, Washington Opera, Opera … Continued
Born in Hamburg, he studied stage design with Erich Wonder and has worked as a freelance set and lighting designer for opera and theatre in Europe, Buenos Aires and Kuwait. His opera and theatre work in Europe includes productions for Zürich Opera House, Komische Oper Berlin, Frankfurt Schauspiel and Théâtre de Vidy Lausanne. He regularly … Continued
Daniel Rosenbaum holds the position of Tutti Violin in the Opera Australia Orchestra, having first joined the Orchestra in 1997. Daniel began his musical studies at the age of seven and under the tutelage of Charmian Gadd and Sylvia Rosenberg went on to complete a Diploma of Music and Graduate Diploma of Music at Sydney … Continued