Roy Best's pathway to eventually making a career out of singing has not been a traditional one, although it comes as no surprise when you realise his talent was noticed and sought after from as early as five years old! He in fact trained and sang for more than ten years as a boy soprano. It wasn't until very recently that he rediscovered his talent and pursued singing lessons, eventually leading to him entering Operatunity Oz and ultimately launching his new career in a very spectacular fashion by performing the Duke in Opera Australia’s Rigoletto; Sydney Opera House, October 2006, rewarded by a standing ovation to a packed house and a television audience of over one million.

His qualifications read a little on the unconventional side as well. Yes, he has an Associate of Music Australia (AMusA) but he is also a fully certified and qualified motor mechanic and racing car engine builder, not to mention his many skills acquired as a carpenter and joiner, furniture designer and racing car driver.

Principal roles in Opera: Stephen Donovan -Morgan's run, by Colleen McCullough/Gavin Lockley (Premiere performance NSW); Camille -Merry Widow, by Lehar (Melb. Opera); Count Almaviva ­Barber of Seville, by Rossini (M. O.); Elvino -La Sonnambula, by Bellini (Pacific Opera, Sydney); Alfredo – La Traviata, by G. Verdi (M. O.); Arturo – I Puritani, by Bellini (M. O.); Nemorino – Elixir of Love, by Donizetti (Victorian Opera) (2009 Green Room Award nom.); Rodolfo – La Boheme, by Puccini (M.O); Turiddu - Cavalleria Rusticana, by Mascagni (M. O.) (Green Room Award nom.); Duca – Rigoletto (Opera Australia, Sydney); Brueys (plus others) – Nelson, by S. Greenbaum (More than Opera) as well as Prisoner – Dead Man Walking (Alexander Prods, Sydney).

Roy’s recording credits include the world premiere of "Morgan's Run", a new opera/musical based on the book by Colleen McCullough. The libretto is also by Colleen and the music by Sydney composer Gavin Lockley. It was recorded at Trackdown Studios with a full 80+piece orchestra in 2010. This is available via www.gavinlockley.com. Other recordings include “Heart’s Delight” containing many favourite songs and arias, recorded with The Queensland Orchestra and conducted by Andrew Greene. Roy also features in the Operatunity Oz winners CD. Both albums are under the ABC Classics label and available at most major outlets including ABC shops.

Roy also continues to delight audiences having performed with the Sydney Symphony to a staggering audience in the Domain as part of the Sydney Festival. His many concert appearances create the opportunity to perform with some of Australia’s finest artists, such as Yvonne Kenny, Marina Prior and James Morrison to name a few. They include several Australian Pops Orchestra concerts at Hamer Hall and State Theatre in Melbourne and the Sydney Opera House. He has been a regular feature with the Australian Music Events Opera in the Market, Opera in the Alps and Opera by the Lock concerts. By popular demand he was asked to appear in Canberra’s very own outdoor Opera event by Lake Burley Griffin. He has performed with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in various concerts including the Irish Songs of Pride and Carols at St Pauls; with the Victorian Welsh choir at Robert Blackwood Hall and many more. Other events include the Mozart C Minor Mass, Mozart Requiem, Dvorak Stabat Mater and the Morning Melodies appearances at Hamer Hall to name a few.

October 2011