The New York Times Magazine dubbed Danielle de Niese as “opera’s coolest soprano”. Melbourne born, she has gained worldwide acclaim for her beautiful stagecraft, and superb communication. She regularly appears on the world’s most prestigious opera and concert stages, from Hamburg to New York, and from Glyndebourne to the BBC Proms. She has six solo albums to her name, and has won an Emmy for her TV presentation.

In this conversation, Danielle speaks about her role debut as Carmen with Opera Australia, exploring her meticulous preparation for the part including her interpretation of the character and insights from reading the original novel. It traces her remarkable journey from winning Young Talent Time as a child, the family move to the United States at a young age to pursue her career, a Met debut at 19, and a breakout success at Glyndebourne with Julius Caesar. She reflects on the important influence and support of her parents, and her dedication to giving back through charity work. The interview also explores her forays into musical theatre, and how she balances diverse artistic passions with a deep commitment to opera.

An Australian soprano who has established herself as one the leading artists of her generation, Nicole Car is a fixture at all of the world’s top opera houses, be it the Met, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opéra National de Paris, or the Sydney Opera House. She’s praised for her beautiful, rich timbre and unique musicality, with Limelight magazine speaking recently of her unfailingly clear and strong voice, with lovely tone and silky legato.

In this wide-ranging interview, Nicole reflects on her role debut as Rusalka in Dvořák’s opera of the same name, exploring the character’s emotional depth. She recounts her early musical influences – from her initial interest in becoming a jazz singer to a transformative experience watching Tosca – and her unusual path into classical music. The conversation traces the steep learning curve she threw herself into, her career-defining competition wins, and her thoughtful approach to role choices, including knowing when to say no. She speaks candidly about the challenges and rewards of balancing private life with a demanding international opera career, offering touching insights into life in Paris, and performing alongside her husband Étienne Dupuis.

Nicole Car performs Dvořák’s Rusalka with Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House until August 11.

One of Australia’s most beloved tenor crossover artists, Mark Vincent burst into our consciousness thanks to a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma on Australia’s Got Talent in 2009, and never looked back. He has performed in venues around the world, and eight of his albums to date have topped the ARIA Classical Crossover charts. He’s also performed in musical theatre, from Dirty Dancing to My Fair Lady. He’s now performing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, currently playing at Sydney’s Theatre Royal.

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging interview, Mark reflects on his extraordinary journey from singing as an eight-year-old in his grandparents’ Italian restaurant to becoming Australia’s best-selling classical crossover artist. He discusses his current role as Old Deuteronomy in Cats, his enduring passion for music, and formative influences including Andrea Bocelli, Julie Andrews, and Mario Lanza. He opens up about childhood challenges, early financial hardship, and the pressure of supporting his family from a young age. Mark also speaks candidly about fatherhood, and how personal struggles have shaped both his character and artistry. The interview is rich with emotion, humour, and music – from Nessun Dorma to My Way – offering a heartfelt portrait of an artist whose voice and vulnerability go hand in hand.

Mark Vincent performs in Cats at Sydney’s Theatre Royal until September 6, before heading to the other capitals. He is in concert with the Australia Symphony Orchestra at Glen Street Theatre on Sunday, July 5.