| David Hibbard |
 David Hibbard - Bass Australian bass David Hibbard graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 1981. As a young artist, he gained experience singing minor principal roles for three seasons with the State Opera of South Australia, followed by study in New York with Daniel Ferro and in England with Sir Peter Pears in 1985. A contract with the English National Opera saw him as a principal in Die Meistersinger, Julius Caesar and Rossini’s Moses in Egypt and Simon Boccanegra for the Glyndebourne Festival Opera. In 1987, he sang Sparafucile, touring England with Opera 80. He returned to Australia in 1988 to appear with Opera Australia in roles ranging from Fiesco in Boccanegra, Ramphis in Aida, Monterone in Rigoletto and The Speaker in The Magic Flute to Publio in La Clemenza di Tito. In 1990, after receiving the German Operatic Award from Opera Foundation Australia, he commenced a contract with Cologne Stadtsoper, performing roles by composers from Mozart to Peter Maxwell-Davies, as well as Lieder Recitals. In 1992, he was appointed First Bass with the Bremen Stadts Theater where he performed Fiesco in Simon Boccanegra, Padre Guardiano in La Forza del Destino, Sparafucile, Baron Ochs, Prince Gremin, Colline and Alvise Badoero in La Gioconda. Since returning to Australia in 1994, Mr Hibbard has appeared numerous times with all the leading opera companies and concert organsiations. 2004 saw him undertake the role of Fafner in Der Ring des Nibelungen for State Opera of South Australia (recorded and subsequently released by Melba Recordings) and perform Don Alfonso in New Zealand Opera’s tour of Cosi fan Tutte. In 2005, Mr Hibbard sang Bartolo in Opera Queensland’s The Marriage of Figaro. He also appeared with Bel Canto Opera, sang as guest soloist in Opera in the Paddock and performed Verdi’s Requiem with Stanford University Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne and Sydney. 2006 saw appearances as The Bonze for State Opera of South Australia, The Duke (Romeo et Juliette) for Queensland Opera and bass soloist in The Queensland Orchestra’s performance of Mozart’s Requiem. The following year, he sang The Bonze in Brisbane, Count Ribbing (Un Ballo in Maschera) in Adelaide and appeared in concert for Victorian Opera and at the Queensland Music Festival. In 2008, he will perform Bartolo and Sparafucile for SOSA and will appear in The Barber of Seville for Opera Queensland. 2008 Schedule State Opera of South Australia, Don Bartolo in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro State Opera of South Australia, Sparafucile in Verdi’s Rigoletto Opera Queensland, Sergeant in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, 17,22,24,27,29,31 May Melba Recordings performances: |