Accounting Troubleshooters

New Zealand Accountant -now an Opera Singer

Yesterday, I went to see the Metropolitan HD Live opera of Carmen by Richard Eyre which  features the gorgeous and talented Elina Garanca as Carmen, Roberto Alagna as Don Jose and, in a last minute replacement, New Zealand bari-hunk Teddy Tahu Rhodes (pictured) as Escamillo (wearing a particularly colourful and snug-fitting outfit in Act 4) this is a very engaging and passionately perfomed work.

What caught my attention is this handsome Escamillo, especially in his Toreador costume, played by Teddy Tahu Rhodes – who was later interviewed by Renee Fleming.  It turned out that Teddy Tahu Rhodes graduated from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand with a degree in Business and worked for many years as an Accountant.

While working as an Accountant, he continued his passion in music with private studies,  and maintained  an association with Canterbury Opera, the local repertory opera company. In 1998 he made his international debut in an acclaimed performance of Dandini in La Cenerentola for Opera Australia, and was launched on an international career. Following his Australian debut, in 1999 Rhodes represented New Zealand in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

Teddy Tahu Rhodes is rapidly making a name for himself as the next barihunk,  having sung the roles of Don Giovanni, Billy Budd, Dead Man Walking and Streetcar Named Desire, and now Carmen.

Enjoy some of the popular and familiar medley from Carmen in piano.  I just get intoxicated whenever I hear this music.  For a sampling of Teddy Tahu Hughes singing, click here.