Teddy Tahu Rhodes
Bass-Baritone
Teddy recently played the role of Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola.
New Zealand bass Teddy Tahu Rhodes has performed with the international opera companies of San Francisco, Austin, Washington, Philadelphia, Dallas, Cincinnati, Houston, New York, the Hamburg Staatsoper, Bayerische Staatsoper (Munich), Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Theater an der Wien (Vienna), Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera.
On the concert platform, he is a regular guest with all the major Australasian orchestras. Other engagements include recitals in Washington DC, three national tours with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Proms. He debuted at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2009.
Awards include an ARIA award, two Helpmann Awards, the Limelight Award, a Green Room Award plus a MO Award (Operatic Performer of the Year).
Age when you started singing
I started singing in the church choir at my Primary School in Christchurch. I guess I would have been 7. A boy soprano way removed from the gravelly old voice I now possess.
Favourite opera
Fav opera…the one I’m doing at present or next. Every opera has something which I adore and so much of the feelings for the opera can depend on events, people, time of life etc that surround it.
Favourite opera role to perform
I think my favourite role is probably Mephistopheles in Faust. Although again there are so many fabulous roles which consume me when I’m doing them.
A fun fact not many people know about you
A fun fact not many people know about me… if I told you then too many people would know! Sorry!
Where’s the strangest place you’ve performed?
The strangest place I have performed… I’ve performed in some glorious venues from the forests in South Australia to amongst the wine barrels of vineyards in NSW. But perhaps the strangest was at a private residence on the Gold Coast where all the guests were dressed in togas!
Quotes
“In his portrayal of community elder and martyr Melchtal, Teddy Tahu Rhodes displays an impressive vocal and dramatic gravitas.”
Tony Way, Limelight, 15 July 2018
“…the silkily booming resonance of Rhodes’ rich bass-baritone was such that you could feel a genuine ripple of awed excitement go through the crowd… it was an excellent performance… sympathetic, romantic and even having a warm sense of humour.”
The Australian, 12 August 2012
