Leon Vitogiannis joins Opera Australia’s prestigious Young Artist Program
Greek Australian baritone Leon Vitogiannis has been named one of the six artists selected for Opera Australia’s Young Artist Program for 2025-26, The Greek Herald reports.
In a statement to the newspaper, Vitogiannis described the opportunity as transformative: “Being selected as a young artist with Opera Australia is a life changing opportunity in my journey as an artist. It’s inspiring to be part of a program that nurtures and develops emerging talent with a forward outlook on opera.”
He continued, “I feel privileged to work alongside such esteemed coaches and colleagues, and I’m excited to embrace every challenge, grow as an artist, and contribute my voice to this incredible art form.”
Vitogiannis will join five other talented participants in the program: Chelsea Burns (soprano), Shikara Ringdahl (mezzo-soprano), Elias Wilson (tenor), Jem Herbert (répétiteur), and Claudia Osborne (director).
A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Vitogiannis is an accomplished baritone with a diverse and expanding repertoire. His operatic roles include Figaro (“The Barber of Seville”), Count Almaviva (“The Marriage of Figaro”), and Leporello (“Don Giovanni”). He has also performed in concert works such as Mozart’s “Requiem” and Handel’s “Messiah.” A passionate interpreter of Lieder, Vitogiannis specializes in the song cycles of Schubert, Schumann, and Mahler.
As a former Young Artist with Pacific Opera Studio, he worked closely with renowned directors Cheryl Barker AO and Peter Coleman-Wright AO. Beyond performance, Vitogiannis is a dedicated conductor and a leading authority on Classical Greek Music and Greek Art Song, actively contributing to the preservation and evolution of this unique repertoire.
The Opera Australia Young Artist Program is an 18-month full-time professional development initiative based in Sydney, designed to prepare emerging talent for successful careers on the global opera stage. Offering participants a full-time salary and comprehensive training, the program includes vocal and dramatic coaching, language classes, masterclasses, career mentorship, and performance opportunities, ensuring artists are equipped for the challenges and opportunities of a professional opera career.
Source: ekathimerini.com
