Story: Opera and musical theatre

Opera stars: Simon O'Neill (4th of 5)

Simon O'Neill is seen here with music director Antonio Pappano rehearsing the role of Parsifal for Wagner's opera of the same name, for a production by the Royal Opera, London, in 2013. Described as the Wagnerian tenor of his generation, Simon O'Neill made his international debut in 2005 and has rapidly risen to operatic stardom. He is a heldentenor – the possessor of a powerful tenor voice suitable for heroic operatic roles. Educated at Otago University, Victoria University of Wellington, the Manhattan School of Music and the Juillard Opera Center, he was a Fulbright Scholar and was a 2005 New Zealand Arts Laureate. He has sung many operatic roles, but his portrayal of Siegmund in Wagner's Die Walküre has been particularly acclaimed by critics and audiences.

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Royal Opera House

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How to cite this page:

Lindis Taylor, 'Opera and musical theatre - Singers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/41905/opera-stars-simon-oneill (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Lindis Taylor, published 22 Oct 2014