On the Couch with Thomas Strong

OA-Thomas-Strong-AAR-OTCWho is Thomas Strong?
I am an Australian operatic singer, I grew up on a farm in outback NSW but I was always drawn to opera and the performing arts. I currently live in Sydney with my wife and two sons. I love all things to do with the arts especially classical music and I currently work as a Principal Artist at Opera Australia.

What would you do differently from what you do now?
I am so happy where I am today and with the opportunities I have been given to further my career as an opera singer. But if I had not been born with a good voice, I would have loved to have been a scientist working out new forms of clean energy and maybe engineering new propulsion systems for off-world travel.

Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by the love of my beautiful wife and sons to always do my best. Plus the great opera singers of the past and present and my mentors that are there for me even when times are hard. I am also inspired by the great leaders of the past and present. Why these people inspire me would have to be a very in-depth answer so to cut it short I would say they all inspire me to work harder and reach further and that anything is possible if you believe in yourself, put in the time and effort and – even though the path may be very long and difficult with a lot of failure and disappointment – if you hang in there and don’t give up, amazing things can happen and success can be obtained.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Stop any suffering in the world, stop the fighting and join every super power in the world to strive toward a common goal of world peace and happiness. If only it were so simple!

Favourite holiday destination and why?
My favourite place to go on holiday is China. My wife is Chinese and I just think it has such an amazing culture and is such a beautiful country to relax in and escape from one’s normal life. The food is awesome too.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I like to take my friends around the city and have amazing food at many of the great restaurants. There is no one attraction that I can think of because it depends on the friend and what would make them most happy. I would definitely take them to watch something at the Opera house though.

What are you currently reading?
House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

What are you currently listening to?
I listen to a vast array of music, whatever I feel like listening to. Today I listened to Wagner in the morning and Creedence Clearwater revival in the afternoon.

Happiness is?
First my family and then performing opera.

What does the future hold for you?
In Opera Australia’s Sydney winter season I will be singing the role of Messenger in Aida and covering the leading role of Radamès. The rest will be a surprise, I envision big things in the future.


Thomas can be seen as the Messenger in Opera Australia’s production of Verdi’s Aida – which be presented in the Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House from 19 June – 21 July 2023. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.

Image: Thomas Strong (supplied)