Music finds a new beat
NICOLE CAR
OPERA SINGER (BMusPerf 2007)
PICTURE: BY NIC WALKER, COURTESY OF FAIRFAX MEDIA.
She’s being compared to Joan Sutherland and her voice has been described as “full‑bodied and honeyed”.
Soprano Nicole Car debuted at London’s Covent Garden last year and received immediate acclaim.
One critic referred to her “show-stealing” performance. Car started winning awards soon after graduating from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and becoming a regular with Opera Australia.
Her most recent role with OA was Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Car says her debuts in different opera houses have been serious highlights.
“Walking onto the Sydney Opera House stage for the first time to sing Micaela in Carmen, my European debut at Deutsche Oper Berlin in Eugene Onegin, and performing both roles at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden are all treasured memories for me.”
CAREER AND INFLUENCES
“My teacher Anna Connolly (Senior Lecturer in Voice at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music) has always been a great influence.
She encouraged a young singer with raw potential to become the performer and person that I am today.
I have worked with many wonderful coaches around the world, but she still knows my voice better than anyone else.”
WHAT BEING A SINGER MEANS TO ME
Apart from a demanding calendar of events in the opera world, Car is also sought out for concert appearances and classical music recordings.
She believes if you can imagine yourself doing any other job you should pursue that instead.
“It’s hard work and there will be many knockbacks and challenges along the way. However, the moment I step onto the stage and know that I have the chance to move people in the audience, that makes it all worthwhile.”
A UNIVERSITY MEMORY
“In my final year, I was a soloist in Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn with the VCA orchestra at the Melbourne Town Hall. It was my first opportunity to sing with an orchestra and I absolutely loved it.”