Dance helped Opera Australia baritone Samuel Dundas discover his future Tasmanian home.
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Dundas and his partner lived in Launceston while she was working with TasDance a couple of years ago.
It was the generosity and kindness they received while living in the city that made their decision to live in Tasmania quite straight-forward, he said.
“We fell in love with it.”
They made the move to the Apple Isle two and a half years ago, and have never looked back.
“Tasmania is our home,” Dundas said.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The move from Sydney to Launceston was rather eye-opening, particularly when Dundas considered the difference in lifestyle.
“[Moving to Tasmania] has allowed me to refocus my priorities and redevelop my passion for music,” Dundas said.
Tasmania was where he started to develop another passion while working in the wine industry during his spare time.
He works at Delamere Vineyards at Pipers Brook when he is not busy performing with Opera Australia.
The move helped him continue his career on the mainland while providing a different avenue to explore the arts and wine industry locally, he said.
Dundas made his operatic debut in 2005 with Opera Queensland after graduating from the Melba Conservatorium of Music.
He joined Opera Australia as part of the Moffatt Oxenbould Young Artist program and has risen through the ranks to become a principal artist with the company.
Dundas is about halfway through an outdoor opera season of Puccini’s much loved classic La Bohème with Opera Australia.
“So far, so good,” he said.
The production was the third season he has starred as Marcello in his favourite opera.
He performed as Marcello for the first time five years ago.
Life experiences all contributed to an evolving performance each time he starred in the role, Dundas said.
“It’s nice to have a break between seasons.”
[Moving to Tasmania] has allowed me to refocus my priorities and redevelop my passion for music ... It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
- Opera Australia baritone Samuel Dundas
He hoped he could help Tasmania develop its new facets to its arts scene.
“I’d love to see and endeavour to have more opera on the island,” Dundas said.
“It’s the notion of being able to live in the community and feel I can contribute to it.”