WITH three albums in the heavy metal charts, a gig at the Opera in the Alps was not on the radar for Sobrusion singer Shanul Sharma.
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Sharma joins soprano Greta Bradman and baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes as the star attractions at Saturday’s opera in Beechworth.
Sobrusion formed in Wagga a decade ago, just a few years after Sharma arrived from India to study IT.
They toured nationally and had forged a strong following on the rock music scene.
To maintain his vocal health, Sharma began exploring the classical voice technique, it quickly led him to abandon the rock scene and he relocated to Melbourne in late 2012 to pursue further study.
Twelve months ago he was offered specialist coaching by Opera Australia with Joshua Hecht and he performed at Stonnington Opera’s “Opera in the Park” with Cheryl Barker, John Bolton Wood and Sally-Ann Russell, while in March 2015 he appeared in with Marina Prior.
“Ever since I started composing music I would always try to listen to as many forms of music as possible,” Sharma says.
“I felt that this approach freed the resultant music from any preconceived genre-defining traits.
“In this respect opera stands out, not just as a form of music but as an experience.
“I feel that it is the most complete union of music and drama there ever has been.
“As an example, every time we hear a tenor sing the last few bars of Nessun Dorma! (the aria that Pavarotti with his exemplary sound made so famous) we all feel uplifted regardless of whether we understand the dramatic context or not and it is so mostly via Puccini’s music.”
Sharma is looking forward to singing with Bradman and Rhodes.
“They are two of the the most amazing singers of our generation,” Sharma says.
“I am also looking forward to singing Verdi’s Rigoletto quartet with Greta.
“I can’t wait to perform an aria called Ah! Mes Amis … which is often called the Mount Everest aria for tenors because it has a lot of high notes in very quick succession and is a great party piece!”
As well as Sharma, Rhodes and Bradman, the 20th Opera in the Alps, at Beechworth Golf Club, features concert pianist Stefan Cassomenos and Opera Scholars Australia.
The Alpha Sinfonia Orchestra and the voiced chorus will again be lead by popular virtuoso conductor, Guy Noble.
