Who is Sofia Troncoso?
Hi! I’m Sofia Troncoso! Your friendly neighbourhood Spider woman trying her best to keep her family alive whilst travelling the world and singing opera!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would be more realistic about the “balance” between having a family and a career. I think some women CAN do it all, but I found out the hard way that I in fact, cannot. When I had a baby I thought ok I’ll bounce back and keep pushing on but I eventually pushed myself right into a health rut, a trench.
Having my son is still the best thing I have ever experienced and I am thankful on a daily basis but I truly was unprepared for what the life of a travelling family entails. So parents, and specifically mothers, take care of yourselves and please take the time off to recover. The best thing we did as a family was get organised, lean on one another, and ask for help.
Who inspires you and why?
To stay on theme, the women in my life. Now that I have entered the mum club I look at other women in awe and this includes women who have decided not to have children as well. We are at an interesting junction in politics where we are pushing the boundaries of gender and there is a lot of blow back from people wanting to maintain the status quo. So I look at every woman I meet knowing that she is wrestling with this dynamic on a daily basis. It takes tenacity and savvy to navigate this tug-of- war version of patriarchy.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Advocating for the transformative power of the Arts and music specifically. The Arts are educational (music literally builds brains) and is even medicinal. Not to mention all of the societal and individual benefits. We are in the business of soul-moving, perspective- changing, brain-tingling stuff.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Our family loves escaping to Italy to hike, slow down, and live La dolce vita.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I always bang on about how delicious the food is in Australia in general but especially Adelaide! The quality, variety, the bread, the wine! I would probably take them out to a Sunday long lunch about a hour out of town that is run by an Italian-Australian family and yes I am gate-keeping it!!
What are you currently reading?
I love reading Australian literature when I am in the country, I especially did so when I was pregnant and had some time on my hands. Since coming to Adelaide I have gotten into Peter Goldsworthy. I really enjoyed Maestro because it is part of my world as an opera singer but evokes Darwin, as a place, so powerfully and I was especially blown away by his novel Wish.
What are you currently listening to?
I am either listening to a 200 RPM running playlist (it’s the only way I can stay I. Shape to play characters like Gretel) or Hansel & Gretel, the fantastic opera by Engelbert Humperdinck because I am memorising it for State Opera South Australia! We play at Her Majesty’s Theatre: 21 – 29 August 2026.
Happiness is?
Happiness is a warm hug, a simple yet delicious dish, a toddler’s kiss, the swell of an orchestra, the swell of the ocean’s tide.
What does the future hold for you?
The gorgeous roller coaster that is life has taught be not to predict the future and stay in the present. A few things are lined up, like operas and concerts, but only two things are for sure, my family and change, that’s inevitable.
Sofia stars as Gretel in State Opera South Australia’s production of Hansel & Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck – which will be presented at Adelaide’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 21 – 29 August 2026.
Image: Sofia Troncoso – photo by Jade Ferguson | Visual Poets Society