David Hobson (tenor)

David Hobson (born 18 November 1960) is an Australian opera tenor and composer.

David Hobson, 2014

Career

Born in Ballarat, Australia, Hobson sang with church and school choirs and local music groups as a child, but he was still vocally untrained when he performed as lead singer and bass guitarist with rock bands while studying at the University of Melbourne. However, despite the lack of a demonstration tape of Macbeth (see below) he was invited to join the Victoria State Opera, understudying the role of Frederic in the VSO's Joseph Papp (Broadway) version of The Pirates of Penzance[1] in 1986. This led to his becoming a member of the company's Young Artists Programme, and making his debut as Rodolfo in a Victorian country tour production of La bohème in 1987. In 1988 he made his debut with The Australian Opera (now Opera Australia) when he created the role of Lawrence in the world premiere of Brian Howard's opera Whitsunday.

He is the composer of Macbeth (a 1985 music theatre piece),[2] Remembering Rosie (2001 chamber opera), The Loch Ard Suite (for the 2002 light/sound installation Shipwrecked[3] at Warrnambool) and the award-winning 2004 orchestral score for the Australian film One Perfect Day, as well as a number of songs including Inside This Room and the title song for One Perfect Day.

Cheryl Barker and Hobson, 2014

In 1990, he reprised the role of Rodolfo, opposite Cheryl Barker as Mimì, in a new production of La bohème for The Australian Opera, directed by Baz Luhrmann; this went on to become one of the company's most successful productions. It was filmed during its 1993 return season and broadcast on ABC TV several times. Released on VHS in 1994, it was to become the first opera available on DVD (1998) and continues to be a best seller worldwide.

Hobson's Gilbert and Sullivan roles with Opera Australia, include Nanki-Poo in The Mikado, Marco Palmieri in The Gondoliers, Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore and the Defendant in Trial by Jury.

Hobson returned to the role of Frederic in the record-breaking Opera Australia production of The Pirates of Penzance with seasons during 2006 in Sydney at the Sydney Opera House, in Canberra, and in Brisbane at the Lyric Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre. The national tour continued in 2007, with seasons in Adelaide and Melbourne, making a total of 100 performances in ten months.

His operatic repertoire extends from 17th century works to the present, Hobson's high lyric tenor voice (he is actually a rare haute-contre or baroque tenor) is best suited to the baroque and bel canto operas of the 18th and early 19th centuries, such as those composed by Mozart and Rossini. His Mozart roles include Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Tamino in The Magic Flute and Belmonte in The Abduction from the Seraglio. His Rossini roles include Lindoro in L'italiana in Algeri, Ramiro in La Cenerentola, Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville, Dorvil in La scala di seta and Florville in Il signor Bruschino.

Many other roles have included Ernesto in Donizetti's Don Pasquale, Nadir in Bizet's The Pearl Fishers,[4] and a highly acclaimed Orphée in Gluck's Orphée et Eurydice, (the rarely performed 1774 Paris version for tenor).

In 2008, he made his role debut as Nemorino in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore with the Victorian Opera, and created several roles in their world premiere season of Through the Looking Glass by Alan John.[5][6][7]

Hobson created the role of the Chevalier de Danceny in the San Francisco Opera world premiere of The Dangerous Liaisons by Conrad Susa,[8] as well as the Architect in The Eighth Wonder by Alan John and Michael Chamberlain in Lindy by Moya Henderson for Opera Australia.

In 2006, he sang the title role in a Perth International Arts Festival concert performance of Candide by Leonard Bernstein and received rave reviews. Just weeks later he had the honour of singing before Elizabeth II and many other distinguished guests, at a State Dinner in Canberra.

Hobson is a much sought-after concert artist, frequently appearing in Musica Viva recitals, and oratorios such as Handel's Messiah,[9] and Mendelssohn's Elijah,[10] as well as opera galas, recitals and solo concerts, displaying both his extensive classical and lighter repertoires. Since 1991 he has been a regular performer at the outdoor Christmas concerts in either Sydney (Carols in the Domain)[11] or Melbourne (Carols by Candlelight)[12] and, more recently, has appeared regularly in Christmas at the House at the Sydney Opera House.[13] In February 2008 he made his debut at the Leeuwin Estate Concert Series in Margaret River with Australian soprano Yvonne Kenny,[14] and in March returned to Mildura with another regular partner, Marina Prior, to sing at the Opera by the Lock. Working around his opera, recording and TV commitments, Hobson performed a series of concerts between April and September, appearing in Melbourne and regional Victoria and, marking the release of his CD, A Little Closer, performed in two concerts in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in November.

Hobson and bass-baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes' CD You'll Never Walk Alone was released in February 2009, followed in March by an extensive Australian recital tour.[15] One of the recitals was in Hobart, and a few weeks later Hobson returned for concerts with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Hobart and Launceston.

Much of the second half of 2009 was occupied with touring for Musica Viva, while December was devoted to another performance of Handel's Messiah with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic at Melbourne Town Hall, a season of Christmas at the House in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, and an appearance at Melbourne's traditional Christmas Eve celebration Carols by Candlelight, at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, televised nationally.

Hobson's 2010 schedule began with a return to Opera in the Alps at Beechworth, with Marina Prior, and continued with a reprise performance in the title role of Candide for the Sydney Festival concert presentation of Opera in the Domain (both in January); another recital with Teddy Tahu Rhodes in Adelaide (March); and the principal role of Eisenstein – which he last performed in 2000 – in the Opera Australia production of the Johann Strauss II operetta Die Fledermaus at the State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, during May.[16] April saw Hobson's debut as a specialist presenter on the new pay-TV STVDIO arts channel.

Hobson followed the Fledermaus season of traditional operetta with something completely different when he appeared at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in his stagework Am I Really Here? in June 2010[17] and a performance of Zender's contemporary interpretation of Schubert's Winterreise at the Brisbane Powerhouse in July.[18] The CD album Singing for Love, a compilation of work by Hobson and Yvonne Kenny, was released in 2010 before their nationwide concert tour.[19] A busy and varied year concluded with a series of concerts in four states, including three performances in Brisbane for the 25th anniversary season of Spirit of Christmas at QPAC and a regulation appearance at Melbourne's Carols by Candlelight.

Hobson's 2011 schedule included a West Australian Opera concert performance of Die Fledermaus in Perth;[20] a flying visit to New Zealand in March;[21] a third concert appearance with the Victoria Welsh Choir in June;[22] his role debut as Count Danilo in Opera Australia's new production of Lehár's The Merry Widow,[23] followed immediately by another national concert tour with Teddy Tahu Rhodes[24] and performances of Handel's Messiah with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.[25] There was another compilation CD, The Best of David Hobson and more solo concerts in several states.

In 2012 and 2013, Hobson appeared as Caractacus Potts opposite Rachael Beck as Truly Scrumptious in an Australian touring production of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.[26]

The inaugural Australian cruise of the performing arts on the MS Radiance of the Seas in November 2014 included Hobson as well as, among others, Cheryl Barker, Colin Lane, Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Simon Tedeschi, Elaine Paige, Marina Prior, and Jonathon Welch.[27] Hobson made his company debut for Opera Queensland in a staged performance of Bernstein's Candide in 2015, directed by Lindy Hume.[28] Later that year, he joined Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Lisa McCune and Greta Bradman for a tour of the five Australian mainland state capitals and Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand – where Jennifer Ward-Lealand replaced McCune – From Broadway to La Scala.[29]

Recordings

Several of Hobson's operatic performances are available on DVD, and his CD albums include Inside This Room (a collaboration with David Hirschfelder), Cinema Paradiso (film songs), Tenor and Baritone (with Anthony Warlow), The Exquisite Hour (a collection of French art songs) and The Promise (his arrangements of an eclectic selection of songs from musicals, pop, etc., and two of his own compositions), which achieved Gold status within three weeks of release in November 2007. His 2008 album, A Little Closer, covers classic pop songs and features two more of his compositions. His CD Enchanted Way, featuring mainly Celtic folksongs of the British Isles, was released in 2010.

Private life

Hobson's early life was spent in Ballarat with parents Kathleen and Phil and siblings Anne, Jane, Ruth and Fiona.

He met his wife, ballerina Amber Simpson, when they performed together in 1992 in L'italiana in Algeri. They married in 1997. They have two children; daughter Madi (born 1998) and son Sam (born 2001).[30][31]

Other activities

Hobson was mentor to model and TV host Erika Heynatz when they won the Seven Network reality singing show, It Takes Two in 2006, and returned in the 2007 season to partner celebrity Mimi Macpherson. In late 2007 Hobson appeared in Dancing with the Stars Series 7, with he and his mentor, Karina Schembri, finishing in third place. In 2008 he resumed his more familiar role of mentor to win It Takes Two Series 3, with Julia Morris.[32][33]

In 2000, Hobson became the Inaugural Patron of the Ballarat Arts Foundation, and continues in that capacity.[34]

At the end of March 2008, Musica Viva Australia announced Hobson's appointment as the Musica Viva in Schools Ambassador for a programme to raise an awareness of the importance of music education in Australian schools.[35]

Awards and nominations
  • The Dame Joan Sutherland Scholarship 1988
  • Inaugural Rémy Martin Australian Opera Award nominee 1991
  • Sydney Theatre Critics' Award (Opera Performance) nominee 1992
  • Sydney Theatre Critics' Award for roles of Rodolfo and Orphée 1993
  • Operatic Performer of the Year (Mo Awards) 1994[36]
  • The Melbourne Age Performing Arts Award for role of Orphée 1994
  • ARIA (The Australian Record Industry Association) Award for Best Music Video: Now Until the Break of Day 1998
  • ARIA Award Nomination, Best Classical Recording for Handel Arias 2002
  • The Handel Society International Recording Prize Nomination ~ Handel Arias 2003[37]
  • AFI (Australian Film Institute), APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association), Inside Film Awards Nominations, and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Music Score, One Perfect Day 2004[38]
  • Nominee in the 2008 Mo Awards (Classical/Opera Performer category)[39]
  • Nominee in the 2009 Mo Awards (Classical/Opera Performer category)[40]
  • ARIA Fine Arts Award Nomination, Best Classical Album, You'll Never Walk Alone 2009
  • ARIA Genre (formerly Fine Arts) Award Nomination, Best Classical Album, Enchanted Way 2010

References
  1. Cargher, John (1988). Bravo! Two Hundred Years of Opera in Australia. Macmillan. pp. 200–202. ISBN 9780333478677.
  2. Fairfax, Vicki (2002). A Place Across the River. p. 306.
  3. "Shipwrecked". Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  4. "The Pearlfishers". The Age. Melbourne. 6 April 2004. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  5. "The Elixir of Love". Victorian Opera. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  6. "Through the Looking Glass". Victorian Opera. Archived from the original on 18 May 2008. Retrieved 11 May 2008.
  7. "Alice at the Opera". The Australian. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 May 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  8. "SFO Programme Notes" (PDF). 1994. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  9. "Messiah". 2007. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  10. "Elijah". The Age. Melbourne. 4 August 2004. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  11. "Carols in the Domain". 2008. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2008.
  12. "Carols by Candlelight". 2005. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  13. "Christmas at the House". Retrieved 3 September 2008.
  14. "Leeuwin Concerts". Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  15. "Andrew McKinnon Presentations". Archived from the original on 26 February 2008. Retrieved 22 November 2008.
  16. "Fledermaus". Opera Australia. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
  17. "Am I Really Here?". Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  18. "A Winter Journey (Winterreise)". Brisbane Powerhouse. Archived from the original on 9 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
  19. "Singing for Love". Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  20. "Die Fledermaus". Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  21. "Festival of Opera and Music". Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  22. "David Hobson & the Victoria Welsh Choir". Archived from the original on 16 February 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  23. "The Merry Widow". Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  24. "Andrew McKinnon Presentations". Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  25. "Messiah". Retrieved 24 December 2010.
  26. Herbert, Kate (4 February 2013). "Review: Chity [sic] Chitty Bang Bang, Her Majesty's Theatre". Herald Sun. Melbourne.
  27. "Bravo! A Cruise of the Performing Arts", Stage Whispers
  28. "Candide review (QPAC, Brisbane)" Archived 29 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine by Alison Cotes, Crikey, 27 July 2015
  29. From Broadway to La Scala – Australia Archived 12 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine; From Broadway to La Scala – New Zealand Archived 22 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  30. "David Hobson: thoughts on combining fatherhood and career By Emma Brown". Newcastle Herald. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  31. "What I know about Women: David Hobson By Robyn Doreian". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 October 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2017.
  32. "It Takes Two line-up announced". The Australian. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  33. "It Takes Two". 2008. Archived from the original on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2008.
  34. "Ballarat Arts Foundation". Retrieved 29 December 2010.
  35. Singing for Love, Yvonne Kenny and David Hobson, ABC Classics 2010, liner notes, p. 8
  36. "Mo Awards". 1994. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  37. Leissa, Brad; David Vickers. "The International Handel Recording Prize 2003". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  38. "Film Critics Circle of Australia". 2004. Retrieved 18 October 2007.
  39. "32nd Australian Entertainment 'MO' Awards – Nominees". 2008. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
  40. "33rd Australian Entertainment 'MO' Awards – Nominees". 2009. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
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