Our Conductors
We’re delighted to welcome a brilliant roster of conductors to the Victorian Opera rostrum in 2023!
Simone Young
Simone Young is considered one of the most important conductors of our time. After completing her musical studies in her native Sydney, she began her career on the podium in Germany. This launched her international career, which has taken her to all important opera houses and symphony orchestras around the world.
Simone conducts Richard Strauss’ Capriccio 31 August at the Palais Theatre.
Benjamin Bayl
Benjamin Bayl is Associate Director of The Hanover Band, and Co-Founder of the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra. Holding both Dutch and Australian nationality, he was the first Australian Organ Scholar of King’s College Cambridge, and then studied conducting at London’s National Opera Studio and Royal Academy of Music.
Benjamin conducts W. A. Mozart’s Idomeneo 4 – 8 July at the Palais Theatre.
Richard Mills
Internationally recognised composer Richard Mills, AM, pursues a diverse career as composer, conductor and artistic director, with an extensive discography of orchestral works including his own compositions.
Richard conducts his own new opera, Galileo, from 20 – 23 December at the Palais Theatre, Giacchino Rossini’s La Cenerentola (Cinderella) on 10 March at Melbourne Recital Centre and In Concert with Jessica Pratt on 2 September at the Palais Theatre.
Simon Bruckard
Simon Bruckard – In 2022 Simon conducted La Boheme for the State Opera of South Australia with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Weill’s Seven Deadly Sings for Red Line Productions and was assistant conductor on Lohengrin for Opera Australia.
Phoebe Briggs
Phoebe Briggs – Opera Australia music staff 2002 – 2012, Head of Music at Victorian Opera since October 2012. For Victorian Opera, Phoebe has conducted Sunday in the Park with George, Play of Herod, Sweeney Todd, Cendrillon, Four Saints in Three Acts (Green Room nomination), The Sleeping Beauty (Green Room nomination), Lorelei, Black Rider (Helpmann nomination, VO/Malthouse), A Little Night Music, Happy End. Other companies: Opera Northwest, IFAC, Opera Australia, Ambassador Group, Chamber Made Opera, MTC, OzOpera.
By Evan Lawson.