THE TALENT
WORLD CLASS PERFORMERS
Introducing the stars of the show!
Home-grown and internationally recognised, we're bringing world class operatic performers to a high country stage...
BLAKE FISCHER
Tenor Blake Fischer was born in Melbourne where he attended the Victorian College of the Arts before relocating to the UK, studying at the Royal Northern College of Music as a Peter Moores Scholar, Blake was awarded the RNCM's prestigious Gold Medal in 2003.
He returned to Australia with his family in 2011. Career highlights include Ravenal in Cape Town, Opera’s Showboat at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris and at Malmo Opera in Sweden, Lawyer/Ensemble in the Salzburg Osterfestspiele production of Peter Grimes with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Blake has performed in many venues including Sydney Opera House, London Covent Garden, Paris – Chatelet Theatre, Tokyo Concert Hall, Tel Aviv Opera House, Malmo Opera House, Salzburg Festpiel Opera House, Scottish Opera, Glydnebourne Opera, Cape Town Opera, Princess Theatre Melbourne, Brisbane Lyric Theatre, Melbourne Concert Hall, Perth Concert Hall to name but a few.
ANDREW JONES
Andrew Jones is an accomplished baritone vocalist, solidifying himself through lead roles in various Opera Australia performances as well as various roles in Opera in the Domain and Opera Australia’s New Years Eve Gala. Growing up as a child, Jones was surrounded by singers – his maternal grandfather was a singer and his father trained as one. Whilst it was never his intention to become a singer, Andrew now fulfils his love for acting with the beautiful gift that is his voice.
Professionally, Andrew attended the Victorian College of Arts for three years, aswell as three years in the chorus of OA before joining the Young Artist Programme.
Andrew has since featured in the title role in Le nozze di Figaro, Marcello in La Bohème (Helpmann Award nomination), Escamillo in Carmen, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Zurga in The Pearl Fishers, Ford in Falstaff and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte among many others. His portfolio of concert appearances are just as impressive, including appearances with the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin Symphony Orchestras, Sydney Philharmonia, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic and Orchestra Victoria.
He was baritone soloist for Victoria Opera’s Gala Opening Concert, Opera Australia’s New Year’s Eve Gala, Opera in the Domain and Opera at the Bowl.
ROY BEST
Roy Best is hailed as one of Australia’s most loved and dynamic tenors. He established his singing career in spectacular fashion after successfully competing in ABC television’s Operatunity Oz. He performed the role of the Duke in Opera Australia’s Rigoletto at the Sydney Opera House and was rewarded with a standing ovation from a packed house and a television audience of over one million viewers.
After studying voice for several years in Melbourne, Roy completed an Associate Diploma in Music through the Australian Music Examinations Board. He now delights audiences with his varied repertoire and captivating stage presence.
Roy has undertaken many principal roles, recently appearing in the principal role of Stephen Donovan in the world premiere of Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCullough, music by Sydney composer Gavin Lockley.
Roy is in high demand as an entertainer at corporate functions and major events. He performs a wide range of classics from jazz to musical theatre and of course opera.
His many concert appearances see him performing alongside some of Australia’s finest artists including Yvonne Kenny, Marina Prior, Sylvie Paladino and James Morrison to name a few. He has worked with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (TQO), Australian Pops Orchestra, Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Youth Orchestra, Melbourne Opera Orchestra, Alpha Symphonia and Symphonia Australis.
PLEASE NOTE - Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control, Gaetano Bonfante is not able to appear at this years event.
SPECIAL GUEST
Tenors at Twilight will also feature a very special surprise guest - Soprano Michaela Leisk...
MICHAELA LEISK
Versatile Soprano, Michaela Leisk, holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours Royal College of Music, London. In 2020, she performed in Cameron Mackintosh’s UK and Ireland tour production of The Phantom of the Opera.
In Sydney, she most recently performed in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love at the Hayes Theatre, understudying the role of Giulietta.
Other roles include Calisto in Offenbach’s Daphnis and Chloe with Pacific Opera, Lucille in Rossini’s The Silken Ladder with Sydney Independent Opera, Orlenda in Charody Production’s circus opera The Carnival, and Rose Pickles in the creative development of Cloudstreet: the opera. She was a member of The 7 Sopranos for seven years, and sang on their debut, self-titled album with ABC Classics.
Michaela is otherwise in demand as a freelance soloist for concerts and corporate events, performing with; The Three TenOz, The Jingle Belles Singers, Australian Global Entertainment, and Singers for Hire Oz.
