Who is Kang Wang?
I’m an opera singer. I travel the world doing what I love.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
If I wasn’t an opera singer, I’d love to keep a small piece of land, raise some chickens, alpacas and a pack of shepherd dogs, ideally a mixture of Maremmas, Bankhars, Rottweilers and Pyrenees.
Who inspires you and why?
The character “Mr Anderson” or “Neo” played by Keanu Reeves in The Matrix movie trilogy. I watched the first movie when I was a kid, it blew my mind and inspired me to be challenging the impossible ever since.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Not sure if I can make a lot of difference as a mere opera singer, but if possible, I’d love to make people be more willing to explore cultures other than their own and be kinder to each other.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Brisbane – it’s where I met my wife and where some of the most important people in my life live. We travel so much now and rarely get to come back to Brisbane, but whenever we get back there for a short vacation, we are reminded how it is the best.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I’d probably take them to the gym for a work-out session together, or the local net café for a game.
What are you currently reading?
Poland: A History by Adam Zamoyski. We are based in Warsaw now, so I wanted to learn more about its history. It’s a fascinating read, I highly recommend.
What are you currently listening to?
Apart from the opera I was learning or singing, I listen to a lot of electronic dance music when I’m driving or working out in the gym. Occasionally I’d listen to Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 – over and over for the goosebumps.
Happiness is?
Dogs – I am not kidding, science actually backs me up on this.
What does the future hold for you?
A lot of packing and traveling for my wife and I but we’re not complaining, because we are traveling to Europe and the US to take on leading tenor roles at the Royal Opera House in London, Vienna State Opera, Bavarian State Opera in Munich, the Metropolitan Opera in New York etc.
In the next couple of years, I never imagined that I’d be singing at these opera houses, exceeding the wildest dreams my parents and I had when they started giving me my first voice lessons.
Kang Wang stars as the Duke of Mantua in Opera Australia’s production of Rigoletto – which will be presented in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House from 21 July – 21 August 2026. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: Kang Wang (supplied)