Graeme Macfarlane’s first opera audition was in the Sydney Opera House back in 1973 when it was opened.
Forty-eight years later, the Point Clare local still performs in one of Australian’s most famous venues, with his latest role being Spoletta in Opera Australia’s coming grand production, Tosca, in February.
The established tenor and principal singer has performed around the country and internationally for many years, however Macfarlane said he has not performed since March due to COVID.
“I have been on JobKeeper basically since March … we were just about to do La Traviata on the Sydney Harbour,” Macfarlane said.
“Basically, I have not worked since then, so I am really looking forward to going back.”
He said one of the reasons he can continue performing with Opera Australia is because of the generosity of the audience members who had already bought tickets.
“We had a lot of advanced bookings which was a surprise, and we have a huge subscriber base,” Macfarlane said.
“What most of them (the audience) did was, rather than getting their money back, they donated it to the company.”
Macfarlane never intended to become a full-time opera singer as he originally was enrolled in a science degree at university.
“The last thing I expected when I was at school was that I was going to be an opera singer; it was the furthest thing from my mind,” he said.
“I had always loved music.
“I started at university around the same time I was having singing lessons and ended doing pretty well.
“I ended up going in a competition, and someone in there ran the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and offered me a scholarship to study at the conservatorium; I thought I could always put my degree on hold.
“So that is what I did, it was a four-year program, and when we finished, they sent the students to an audition in this new building called the Sydney Opera House.
“I finished my course at the time it was being completed.
“I went down and did the audition and got this contract back to say that I was going to be paid to sing.
“I thought, that is a bit of a novel idea.
“That was in 1973, and essentially I have not stopped since; it was extraordinary.”
Throughout his career, Macfarlane has performed thousands of shows, has won a Green Room Award, and has shared the stage with famous opera singers such as Dame Joan Sutherland.
“I remember doing a rehearsal … I was covering one of the main tenor roles because he was sick,” he said.
“I was in the room with Dame Joan Sutherland and Richard Bonynge, and I thought, I have to do this.
“I sang my aria, and at the end, there was this spontaneous applause, led by Dame Joan.
“Here I was, this young singer, being recognised by this famous singer, being applauded by this famous singer.
“It was a real shot in the arm for my career as I was being respected by the people that I respected the most.”
Coast Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Angela Brewer based in Gosford has nothing but praise for Graeme.
“Having worked with Graeme at Opera Australia, Sydney Opera House, I’m privileged to have rehearsed and performed along side him many times.
“Graeme is a true professional who comes into rehearsals, always prepared vocally and with a well thought through interpretation on his character.
“He is a quiet achiever which is why many people are unaware we have such operatic talent on the Central Coast.
Graham is certainly not the stereotype prima donna, according to Angela saying the local Opera Company is looking forward to engaging him in the near future as a “Local Artist In Residence”.
Puccini’s production, Tosca, is a tale of love, lust and betrayal which features dramatic music dark themes.
“The thing with live theatre is that it is always celebrated in the moment,” Macfarlane said.
“It is not just you; it is the chorus, it is an orchestra, conductor, it is the audience, and you all just celebrate in the moment – it is so extraordinary, and you get addicted to it.
“And living on the edge, like, is that person going to get to that note?”
The production will run at the Sydney Opera House from February 22-March 13.
Jacinta Counihan