Linda Thompson

“The democratic wonder of opera is that we already share the material - it is of us. You do not need to be educated to be touched, moved and excited by opera…you only need to experience it directly first hand…it is those of us who make opera whose responsibility it is to remove the barriers and…release its power for everybody” 

– Graham Vick (1953-2021)

My Purpose

To lead through a broad, progressive artistic vision spanning re-working of traditional and presenting new opera / music theatre.  I am motivated to conceive, program and direct productions and projects that stand for what a 21st century opera company is - and can be - for its artists, audiences and community. 

What I Bring:

An unshakeable belief in the transformative power of opera / music theatre - its potential to reach, invigorate and connect a diverse audience.

Over 15 years experience as an Artistic Director and arts leader of an independent opera company in Australia, with international connections and collaborations. 

Expert in artistic programming and casting, with a proven track-record of adaptable, innovative approaches to audience engagement and art form development.

Track record as a Stage Director: award-winning and consistently excellent productions - from traditional to contemporary including international premieres, devised, site-specific and advanced technological/digital projects.

Almost 30 years as a professional artist/entrepreneur in the opera sector, with wide-ranging performance experience at elite level.  Significant experience working with top-level directors, conductors, designers and performers in delivering world-class productions and performances, including two world premieres at the Sydney Opera House.

Capacity to lead and inspire disparate groups of people - including board, stakeholders, partners, creative, production, technical and support people to consistently achieve excellence and deliver.

Someone with proven skills to devise, shape and deliver artistic programs that move beyond the comfortable and familiar, and bear the imprint of our time and place.  

Leadership informed by current international trends, sector developments in visual/acoustic/digital capacity, diverse creative teams, as well as a ‘real-world’ perspective to connect the art form with audiences.

An artistic and stage director who believes that success in opera / music theatre lies in a fresh perspective that maximises the artistic – emotional - impact of every experience.

Career Summary

2008 - ongoing

Artistic Director – CEO

Australian Contemporary Opera Company

Formerly known as Gertrude Opera, in 2019 the company undertook strategic consultation and rebranding Aust Contemporary Opera Co at the end of 2020.  A repertory company for young artists, providing a pipeline for emerging artists and professional stage for more than 100 exceptional singers.

Facilitated public platform for progressing careers of young creatives (directors, conductors and designers).

Artistic Director – Founder

• Successfully founded, programmed and delivered Australia’s only dedicated international opera festival (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020-online, Feb 2024 - contemporary, new location).

• Adapted to adhere to budgetary constraints maintaining standards/quality.

• Maintained cohesive team and diplomatic relations across multiple productions, challenges and obstacles.

• Inspired excellence through attention to detail and influenced morale through big picture

• Facilitated international collaborations and partnerships.

• Lifted company profile nationally and internationally.

• Engaged new audiences through and repertoire choices and achieved quality through expert casting and creative choices.

• Developed stakeholders across tourism, business and creative sectors.

• Won awards and consistent 4+ star reviews

• Identified ways - through new and challenging works - to develop performers’ and creative team skills and experience.

• Expanded artistic possibilities for established and emerging artists to work on building their audiences.

• Acted as mentor and guide for professional standards, trends and expectations in global sector.

• Instigated annual ‘Culture Project’ - platforming social justice and humanitarian issues and champion new works.

• Gave old works contemporary treatment through new lens - involve artists in a contemporary practice.

• Experimented with new venues/spaces, soundscapes and theatrical approaches.

2009 - ongoing

Stage Director: (highlights)

WIP: Don Jeffrey - Mozart/Verbatim coproduction with Monk Parrots US / La MaMa Experimental Theater NYC

WIP: The Incident - William Barton/Linda Thompson - commissioned by ACOCo. (Due for completion 2024-2025)

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* - Todd/Gottlieb - Commissioned by Opera Holland Park (UK) - new production/Australian Premiere: Melbourne & regional tour 2022

The Loser*/To Hell and Back - Lang & Heggie/Scheer - Melbourne Recital Centre 2022

Book of Longing - Glass/Cohen - Staged with live graphic artist - Fed Square collaboration w/-The Wheeler Centre of Books & Ideas & Leonard Cohen Archives Los Angeles - 2022

As One* Kaminsky/Reed/Campbell - Australian premiere - new production - fortyfivedownstairs 2021 / Midsumma Festival

The Enchanted Pig (Dove/Middleton) - revival director Gale Edwards AM award-winning production 2021

Together, Apart (Gentile/Hall) 2020 - online, concept, design & video direction

Kate Kelly (Carey/Findlay) 2020 - online, remote, concept, design & video direction

La Boheme (Puccini) - semi-staged on site, De Bortoli Yarra Valley

The Handmaid’s Tale* (Ruders/Bentley) - winner, OperaChaser outstanding production and stage direction 2018

Alcina (Händel) - Noorilim - outdoor- new production - fully-staged.

The Magic Flute (Mozart) - Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne 

Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach/Crémieux/Halevy - National Theatre, Melbourne

Stone Soup (Libby Larsen) NLOF - regional Victoria

Thespis (Gilbert & Sullivan, arr. starring Max Gillies AM, NLOF - regional Victoria

Trial by Jury (Gilbert/Sullivan) starring Max Gillies AM, NLOF - regional Victoria

Curlew River (Britten/Plomer) designed by Peter Corrigan AM, Fortyfivedownstairs Melbourne

The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart/Da Ponte) ANAM Sth Melbourne/Monash PAC, Clayton

The Coronation of Poppea (Monteverdi) - Monash PAC, Clayton

*Australian Premieres

Concept Productions (written and directed)

A Very Very Very Short History of Opera 

Fractured Sublime - gallery video installation

Endure - immersive marathon-style performance with Katie Smith (UK)

Ariarchitecture - online architecture - aria pairing series

Duelling Divas

1992 - 2013

Principal soprano

• Opera Australia - Principal repertory artist, Guest principal artist, Young Artist Program

• Victoria State Opera - Principal guest artist, Young Artist Program

• State Opera of South Australia, Principal guest artist

• Orchestra Victoria, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Australian Ballet, Opera & Ballet Orchestra, Principal soprano

2001 - 2008

Director of Department - Head of Classical Voice, Monash University

• The Director of Department included participation in the following key university roles:

• Member Arts Faculty Board.

• Member School of Music Performance Sub-Committee.

• Examiner and Supervisor.

• Set syllabus, curriculum and guidelines.

• Founded Monash University Opera Ensemble & Outreach program.

Education

Graduate Certificate (Opera Outreach), Monash University 2008

Bachelor of Music (Hons Performance), University of Melbourne  1986

Recognition/Awards

Victorian Women’s Honour Roll (Leadership/Innovation)   2022

Artistic Direction

Green Room Award - Programming 2020 Yarra Valley Opera Festival 2021

Winner: Outstanding Production by Independent Company 2019

The Enchanted Pig (Opera Chaser) 

Winner: Outstanding Production by Independent Company 2018

The Handmaid’s Tale (Opera Chaser) 

Winner: Outstanding direction 2018

The Handmaid’s Tale (OperaChaser)

Green Room Award nomination 1990

Balshazzar, Treason of Images

Competitions/Scholarships:

Winner: Herald Sun Aria 1990

Dame Mabel Brooks Fellowship 1990

Lady Galleghan Award, Australian Singing Competition 1992

Metropolitan Opera Awards - Regional Finalist 1992

Victorian winner ABC Instrumental & Vocal Competition 1992

Walter Kirby Singing Scholarship

Professional roles: