On the Couch with Nicole Car

Nicole Car - photo by Georges Antoni Who is Nicole Car?
An Australian operatic soprano currently singing around the world. I’m the wife of an extremely talented French Canadian baritone and mother to a beautiful almost one year old boy (not that I’m biased!).

What would you do differently to what you do now?
If I could split myself into more than one person so I could have more time with my family, more time working and less time traveling, that would be the ideal! In saying that, I do love my work and life and I feel incredibly fortunate to sing around the world.

Who inspires you and why?
I’m constantly inspired by people around me… As fast as inspiration for work goes, it’s people like Renee Fleming who are truly inspiring to me. Long careers, carefully thought out roles, balanced time for life and career – for me, that is the ideal and what I constantly strive for.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I think education is really underrated in our society – especially in music education. I would love more programs in schools to teach children about the joys of all different kinds of music, in particular classical. The brain can comprehend many more things than we sometimes give credit for, and learning about music opens up channels for other learning as well.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Right now, we spend so much time traveling that a holiday at home sounds like bliss! Getting to see our family and friends is a rarity and one I don’t take for granted.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I love Taronga Zoo. It has such wonderful views of Sydney and it’s so calming to watch the animals play. If you take the ferry there you get to see Sydney from the water as well, so it’s a fantastic day!

What are you currently reading?
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Although, I’m reading it as an audiobook on planes and while traveling – easier than carrying it around!

What are you currently listening to?
Right now, a lot of La Traviata! There are so many wonderful versions and I like to take inspiration from the greats who have sung this iconic role before me.

Happiness is?
A day with my family. Seeing my son smile at me makes my heart burst!

What does the future hold for you?
Lots of travel, lots of singing and lot of time in truly amazing cities. I’ll be debuting at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Vienna Staatsoper, returning to Paris and London. Also, we just bought an apartment in Paris, so I hope we’ll be able to spend some time there!

Nicole stars as Violetta Valery in Opera Australia’s production of La Traviata in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House from 1 March 2018. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.

Image: Nicole Car – photo by Georges Antoni