Launceston opera singer Nicholas Tolputt has had a big year of success and he’s still reeling from his latest win on Sunday.
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Tolputt was awarded the 2016 Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Scholarship on Sunday, distinguishing himself from his fellow competitors with an angelic performance of I Know a Bank, from A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Händel's Stille amare from Tolomeo. The scholarship has a total value of $43,000 and will give him the opportunity to undertake advanced training internationally.
He said the win will allow him to overcome the significant financial hurdles aspiring opera singers face. Tolputt has dedicated himself to his development as a singer and to a career in Opera from a young age. “It’s been the end of, and beginning I suppose, of a very long road. This means future study and future work, which I am very excited to be able to pursue,” said Tolputt.
His other recent wins include the Sydney Eisteddfod Opera Award and the English Opera and Art Song section of the Sydney Eisteddfod. He is also a finalist in the IFAC Australian Singing Competitions. “It’s a little overwhelming, I mean I’d never done comps really until this year… I think each time I got through to the end of a round I thought, ‘I’m happy with where I’ve got to’,” said Tolputt.
Tolputt is now looking to the future where he will apply to opera training institutions in Europe. He also has his eyes on the Finals of the Australian Singing Competition in August.
Opera is the way Tolputt expresses his love of classical music. “I’ve always loved classical music, for as long as I can remember,” Tolputt said. He explored this passion in the musical theatre scene in Launceston from a young age before moving to Melbourne to become the first countertenor in 8 years to study at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
On graduating he was taken on as a scholar at the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust and, in 2016, became a young artist at Pacific Opera. He said the opportunities have allowed him to work alongside some exceptional singers.
Tolputt said he is incredibly grateful to the generous donors who sponsor the scholarship, Miss Elizabeth Todd, Miss Paula Clarkstone and the John Lamble Foundation, who have afforded him the opportunity to continue to advance in what is a challenging career.
