MICHAEL BURDEN

Michael Burden is a Sydney-based countertenor rapidly establishing himself as an experienced and versatile performer of operatic, concert, and choral repertoire. He holds a Master of Music Studies (Opera Performance), completed with the guidance of Dr David Greco at the Sydney Conservatorium, having previously completed a Bachelor of Music Performance (Classical Voice) from the same institution. Roles performed include Ottone in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea (Trentino Music Festival), Oberon in Britten' A Midsummer Night's Dream (Sydney Conservatorium), Cyril Scott in Matthew's/Smith's Percy Grainger - The Opera  (Sydney Con), Une Scythe in Gluck's Iphigenie en Tauride  (The Cooperative), Sorceress / Second Witch / The Spirit in Purcell's  Dido and Aeneas (Albury Chamber Music Festival / Concordia Ensemble / St Paul's College / The Other Theatre Co) and Hyacinthus in Mozart's Apollo et Hyacinthus (Flamingo Opera).

Chorus credits include Gluck's Orfeo ed Eurid and Iphigenie en Tauri (The Cooperative),  Dido and Aeneas (Pacific Opera et al) , 7 Little Australians (Opera Carnivale), and Mozart's Die Zauberflote (Sydney Con). Michael has appeared several times with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, most recently as a soloist in Vivaldi's Gloria, and additionally as both soloist and ensemble member in their Paradisum and Noel! Noel! concert series. Additional concert credits include Vivaldi's  Nisi Dominus with Adelaide Baroque Orchestra, Didymus in Handel's Theod , Joad in Handel's Athalia (Concordia Ensemble), Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, Handel's Messiah and Dixit Dominus, Bach's Cantatas BWV 4, 70, 78, 79,166,150, 1 and Jesu Meine Freude , Alto/ Soprano 2 solos in Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noel and Pergolesi's/Durante's Magnificat. He has extensive experience performing with the Early Music Ensemble under the direction of Dr Erin Helyard, and with Sydney University Symphony Orchestra.

A seasoned choral singer, Michael has held positions as Head Lay Clerk with St Paul's College Choir, where he has sung in collaboration with Ensemble Apex (Four Seasons Recomposed), and with St Andrew's Cathedral Choir for their regional tours to Brisbane, and international tours through England, France and Italy. He has appeared regularly with Sydney Conservatorium Choir and Chamber Choir, under directors Neil McEwan, Elizabeth Scott, and Paul Stanhope. A passionate exponent of new music, Michael has appeared with composer-collective Konzertprojekt , collaborating with composers to create works specific to the countertenor voice. He has premiered the role of Cyril Scott in Matthew's/Smith's Percy Grainer - The Opera, gave the live premiere for Felicity Wilcox's  Threading the Light, and has worked extensively in chamber vocal ensembles specialising in new solo and choral works.