Artist Biography

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Australian tenor and composer David Hobson is one of Australia’s best known operatic and recording artists. David began his operatic career with Victoria State Opera in 1987 as Rodolfo in La bohème and Frederic in the Broadway version of The Pirates of Penzance.  The following year he debuted with The Australian Opera as Perchik (Fiddler on the Roof) and Lawrence in the world premiere of Brian Howard's Whitsunday.  In the same year he was awarded the Dame Joan Sutherland Scholarship.

He has sung many roles for Opera Australia and both state and international opera companies, including his award winning performances of Rodolfo (La Boheme) and the title role in Orphée.

Other roles include Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Ferrando (Cosi fan tutte), Count Almaviva (The Barber of Saville), Nadir (Pearl Fishers), Lindoro (L’Italiana in Algeri), Frederic (The Pirates of Penzance), The Architect in the world premiere of The Eighth Wonder, Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), the title role in Candide, Danilo (The Merry Widow) and Aristaeus/ Pluto (Orpheus in the Underworld).

More recently, David revisited the world music theatre playing the role of Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and soon will be seen in the role of Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl.

Special engagements include appearing with the San Francisco Opera in the world premiere of Dangerous Liaison, a performance in the Great Hall, Canberra for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Schubert’s Winterreise for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and singing the national anthem at the AFL Grand Final. He has performed his own show at the Sydney Opera House and at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and toured nationally with Lisa McCune, Marina Prior, Yvonne Kenney and Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

He is also well known from his appearances on Carols in the Domain, Carols by Candlelight, Spicks and Specks, It Takes Two, Dancing with the Stars and as a presenter on the Foxtel arts channel, STUDIO.

He has recorded numerous albums with many reaching No 1 chart status. The most recent recording – Endless Days – is a collection of Celtic favourites.

David’s awards include Operatic Performer of the Year/MO Awards, Sydney Critic’s Circle Award for Rodolfo and Orphée, The Age Performing Arts Award (Best Performer in Opera) and an ARIA award.


Click here to visit David's official website.